How the national average is set
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes Average Weekly Earnings (AWE) twice a year, for May and November. The latest release, for May 2026, gives the full-time adult ordinary-time average at $2,083.70 per week. That works out to about $108,352 per year when multiplied by 52 weeks. This figure is the line on this site: the benchmark for your salary rate assessment.
But the national average is just one point. It hides a lot of variation. The ABS itself notes that movements in earnings can be affected by changes in the composition of the labour force – the mix of full-time, part-time, casual and junior employees, the occupations within industries, and the distribution of hours. So a single number can't tell you whether your pay is fair for your situation.
The difference between averages and medians
The AWE is an average, which means it can be skewed by high earners. For a more typical figure, the ABS also publishes median earnings from its Employee Earnings survey (most recently August 2025). The full-time median was $1,741 per week, or about $90,532 per year. The all-employees median (including part-time and casual) was $1,425 per week, about $74,100 per year. When you Place a salary on the line, you can see how your pay compares to both the average and the median.
Why your state matters
State full-time averages vary by thousands of dollars. The ABS AWE data for May 2026 shows:
- Australian Capital Territory: about $119,090 per year
- Western Australia: about $115,825
- New South Wales: about $109,658
- Victoria: about $106,137
- Queensland: about $106,064
- Northern Territory: about $103,173
- South Australia: about $102,450
- Tasmania: about $96,008
These differences reflect the industry mix. For example, Western Australia has a large mining sector, which pushes up average earnings. The ACT has a high proportion of public sector jobs, which tend to pay more. Tasmania and South Australia have more service and tourism industries, with lower average pay.
If you live in a state with a high average, your salary might need to be above the national line to be considered typical. Conversely, if you live in a low-average state, you might be closer to the national average even if your pay is below the national line. The States and territories page lets you see the full breakdown by gender and sector.
Why your award matters
If you are covered by a modern award, your minimum pay is set by Fair Work. The Modern Awards Pay Database contains the calculated minimum rates, allowances, overtime and penalty rates. From 1 July 2026, award minimums rose by 4.75% following the Annual Wage Review. The national minimum wage itself is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week, about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week.
But many awards have higher minimums than the national minimum. For example, the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 had changes from 1 October 2026 due to a gender-based undervaluation review. If you work in an industry covered by a specific award, your minimum pay could be significantly above the national minimum wage.
When you do a salary rate assessment, you should first check your award classification to see if your pay meets the legal minimum. Then compare your pay to the national average. If you are on an award rate, your pay might be below the national average even if it is above the minimum – that is common in retail, hospitality and care industries.
Putting it together
The national full-time average of $108,352 is a useful starting point, but it is not the whole story. Your state, your industry, your occupation, and whether you are covered by an award all affect where your pay sits. The site's tools let you compare your salary to the national line, but also to state averages and industry medians. Use the Industry medians page to see how your sector compares.
Remember that the AWE is published only twice a year, so the May 2026 figure will be the benchmark until the November 2026 release. The medians from August 2025 are the most recent available. And the minimum wage and award rates are updated each July. Keep these dates in mind when assessing your salary.
In short, a salary rate assessment is not just about one number. It is about understanding where you sit relative to the national average, your state average, and your legal minimum. Use the resources on this site to get a clearer picture.