How Australia’s full-time average compares with China’s average salary
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average in Australia is $2,083.70 a week, or about $108,352 a year, according to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026. This is the line that Average line uses as its benchmark. Against this, China’s average salary figures from the National Bureau of Statistics for 2025 show that urban non-private unit employees earned an average of 129,441 yuan per year, while urban private unit employees earned 71,590 yuan. Even after converting yuan to Australian dollars at typical exchange rates, China’s averages are well below Australia’s full-time line.
Why state and award differences move the figure off the national line
Australia’s full-time average masks large variation between states and territories. For example, the ACT has a full-time average of about $119,090, while Tasmania sits at about $96,008. A worker in Western Australia ($115,825) is well above the national line, while someone in South Australia ($102,450) is below it. These differences reflect industry composition, cost of living, and the mix of public and private sector employment. The public sector full-time ordinary-time average is $2,263.10 a week, compared with $2,034.10 in the private sector. Award minimums also play a role: from 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 an hour, but many awards set higher rates for specific occupations and industries. A worker on a retail award, for instance, may earn less than the full-time average, while a worker under a building award may earn more. When comparing with China’s average salary, these Australian state and award variations show that a single national figure does not capture the full picture.
Medians and the minimum wage
The full-time median earnings in Australia are about $90,532 a year, and the all-employees median is about $74,100 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). These medians are lower than the average because high earners pull the average up. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, or about $52,255 a year on a 38-hour week. China’s average salary in urban private units (71,590 yuan) is roughly comparable to Australia’s all-employees median after currency conversion, but direct comparison is complicated by differences in cost of living, social security systems, and purchasing power.
How the figures are set
The ABS calculates Average Weekly Earnings from a survey of employers, not from tax data. It is published twice a year, for May and November. China’s National Bureau of Statistics uses a similar employer-based survey for urban units. Both measures are pre-tax and include employer social insurance contributions. For a deeper look at how Australia’s averages are compiled, see How the figures are set. For state-by-state breakdowns, visit States and territories.
Key takeaways
- Australia’s full-time ordinary-time average is about $108,352 a year.
- China’s average salary in urban non-private units is 129,441 yuan; in urban private units it is 71,590 yuan.
- State and award differences in Australia can push individual pay well above or below the national line.
- Medians and the minimum wage provide additional context for where most workers sit.