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Australian Salary Needed to Feel Rich: Above the Average Line

The national full-time average salary is $108,352, but feeling rich often means earning above the top 10% threshold of $156,000 or the top tax bracket of $190,000.

This sits on the Australian full-time average.

Week, hour, and a tax sketch

$2,084 a week · $54.83 an hour if spread over 38 hours

About $83,159 after resident income tax and a 2% Medicare levy.

2026–27 resident rates and a 2% Medicare levy. Not a tax assessment.Open the full line

What Does It Take to Feel Rich in Australia?

Feeling rich is a personal benchmark, but it often starts with earning well above the national average. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026 puts the full-time adult ordinary-time average at $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 a year. That is the line this site uses. But to feel rich, many look to the top end of the earnings distribution.

According to the ABS Employee earnings survey for August 2025, the 90th percentile of weekly earnings was $3,000, which works out to $156,000 annually. That is nearly 44% above the full-time average. The top tax bracket for 2026–27 starts at $190,000, another common marker. However, there is no official 'rich' threshold. The Reserve Bank and academics sometimes use multiples of the median, but for most people, feeling rich means having enough to save, invest, and spend without worry.

How the Average Salary Compares

The national full-time average of $108,352 is a useful anchor. If your salary is below that, you are below the average line. Above it, you are above average. But average is not the same as rich. The median full-time salary is about $90,532, meaning half of full-time workers earn less. The all-employees median is even lower at $74,100. So the average is pulled up by higher earners.

To feel rich, you likely need to be in the top 10% or even top 5%. The 90th percentile of $156,000 is a reasonable starting point. The 95th percentile is not published in the latest release, but earlier data suggests it is around $200,000. The top 1% is much higher, often cited above $250,000 or $300,000. But without a precise figure, we stick to what the ABS provides.

What Would Move Your Pay Above or Below the Average?

Several factors can push your salary above or below the national full-time average:

  • Industry: Some industries pay well above average. For example, mining, information technology, and professional services often exceed the average. Others like retail and hospitality fall below. The ABS publishes industry breakdowns in the Average Weekly Earnings release.
  • Occupation: Your job matters. Managers and professionals tend to earn more than clerical or labourers. The Employee earnings survey shows median hourly earnings of $42.90 overall, but for men it is $44.60 and for women $41.70.
  • Location: State averages vary. The Australian Capital Territory has the highest full-time average at $119,090, followed by Western Australia at $115,825. Tasmania is lowest at $96,008. Living in a high-cost area may require a higher salary to feel rich.
  • Gender: The gender pay gap persists. Men's full-time ordinary-time average is $113,412, women's $100,594. That difference of nearly $13,000 affects how many women feel about their earnings relative to the average.
  • Hours and overtime: The average is for full-time ordinary time. If you work overtime or have a second job, your total earnings may be higher. The ABS also reports total earnings including overtime.

The Minimum Wage vs. the Average

Fair Work sets the national minimum wage. From 1 July 2026, it is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week on a 38-hour week, about $52,255 a year. That is less than half the full-time average. Award minimums rose 4.75% in the 2026 Annual Wage Review. Someone on the minimum wage is well below the average line. To feel rich, they would need to earn more than double that.

Tax and Take-Home Pay

Feeling rich is also about what you keep after tax. The 2026–27 tax rates are: nil up to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above. Plus the Medicare levy of 2%. So someone earning the average of $108,352 falls in the 30% bracket (plus levy). Their take-home is about $80,000. To feel rich after tax, you might need a pre-tax salary that leaves you with a comfortable surplus. The top bracket kicks in at $190,000, where the marginal rate is 37% plus levy. At that level, take-home is around $125,000.

Putting Your Salary on the Line

Place a salary on the line to see how it compares to the national full-time average. The tool shows your weekly and hourly equivalent on a 38-hour week, plus the distance from the average. You can also explore states and territories to see how your location affects the comparison.

The Bottom Line

There is no single Australian salary needed to feel rich. It depends on your lifestyle, location, and expectations. But using the ABS data, a salary above $156,000 (the 90th percentile) puts you in the top 10% of earners. That is a common benchmark. The full-time average of $108,352 is a useful midpoint. If you earn below that, you are below average; above it, you are above. To feel rich, you likely need to be well above.

For more on how these figures are set, see How the figures are set. And for guides on salary negotiation and benchmarks, visit Guides.

Questions

What salary is considered rich in Australia?

There is no official definition, but many use the top 10% of earners as a benchmark. According to the ABS Employee earnings survey, the 90th percentile for weekly earnings was $3,000 in August 2025, or about $156,000 a year. The top tax bracket starts at $190,000, which is another common marker. However, 'rich' is subjective and depends on your cost of living, location, and lifestyle.

How does the average salary compare to feeling rich?

The national full-time average ordinary-time salary is $108,352 (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). That is well below the top 10% threshold of $156,000. The median full-time salary is about $90,532, so most full-time workers earn less than the average. To feel rich, you would likely need to earn significantly more than the average, perhaps double or more, depending on your expenses.

Does location affect the salary needed to feel rich?

Yes, state averages vary. The Australian Capital Territory has the highest full-time average at $119,090, while Tasmania is lowest at $96,008. In high-cost cities like Sydney, a higher salary is needed to feel rich compared to regional areas. The ABS also reports median earnings by state: ACT $1,600/week, Tasmania $1,300/week. So the salary needed to feel rich can differ by thousands of dollars depending on where you live.

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