Why state and award matter
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average of $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year) is a useful benchmark, but actual pay can move well above or below that line depending on where you work and how your pay is set. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026 shows that growth in average weekly earnings was the lowest since 2022, rising just 1.6% over the six months to May 2026. That national figure masks big differences between states and sectors.
State full-time averages range from about $96,008 in Tasmania to $119,090 in the Australian Capital Territory. Western Australia ($115,825) and New South Wales ($109,658) also sit above the national line, while Victoria ($106,137) and Queensland ($106,064) are close to it. These gaps reflect the mix of industries—mining in WA, public administration in the ACT—and the composition of the workforce. The ABS notes that movements in average weekly earnings can be affected by changes in the proportion of full-time, part-time, casual and junior employees, as well as occupational and industry shifts.
How awards set a floor
For many workers, the starting point is a modern award or the national minimum wage. From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week on a 38-hour week—about $52,255 per year. Award minimums rose by 4.75% from that date. The ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey for May 2025 shows that 22.7% of employees are paid award-only rates, with average weekly total cash earnings of $922.20 for those workers. By contrast, employees under collective agreements earned an average of $1,746.10 per week, and those on individual arrangements earned $1,876.50 per week.
The method of setting pay also varies by state. For example, in the Northern Territory, collective agreement workers earned an average of $2,040.90 per week, while in Tasmania the figure was $1,537.20. These differences show how local labour markets and industrial relations shape earnings.
Where Bailey Smith fits
Bailey Smith's exact salary is not published in the sources used here—the ABS, Fair Work, or the ATO do not list individual earnings. However, we can use the national averages and state breakdowns to understand where a salary like his might sit. If he worked in a full-time role covered by a modern award, his pay would be at least the award minimum, which could be anywhere from about $52,000 to $80,000 per year depending on the classification. If he were on a collective agreement or individual arrangement, his earnings could be higher, potentially matching or exceeding the national full-time average of $108,352.
State of work also matters. If Bailey Smith worked in the ACT, the average full-time salary is about $119,090—well above the national line. In Tasmania, the average is $96,008, below the line. Without a specific figure, we can say that his salary would likely fall within the range set by the relevant award or agreement, and that state and industry factors would push it toward one end of that range.
Place a salary on the line to see how any figure compares to the national average. For more on state differences, see States and territories.
The gender pay gap and other measures
The ABS also reports that the gender pay gap in average weekly ordinary full-time earnings fell to a record low of 11.3% in May 2026. Men's full-time ordinary-time average is about $113,412 per year, while women's is about $100,594 per year. These figures are averages and do not account for differences in occupation, hours, or experience. The all-employees median—which includes part-time workers—is about $74,100 per year, a more representative figure for the typical worker.
Tax and take-home pay
For the 2026–27 financial year, resident tax rates are: nil on the first $18,200, 15% on income up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, 37% up to $190,000, and 45% above that. The Medicare levy of 2% applies before any reductions. So someone earning the national full-time average of $108,352 would pay about $24,267 in tax plus the Medicare levy, leaving about $82,000 after tax. This site's line tool shows weekly and hourly figures on a 38-hour week, plus the distance from the full-time average.
Guides and How the figures are set provide more detail on how these numbers are calculated.
Summary
While Bailey Smith's exact salary is not publicly available, the national full-time average of $108,352 per year is a useful reference point. State averages, award rates, and method of setting pay all cause individual salaries to move off that line. The ABS data shows that where you work and how your pay is set can make a difference of tens of thousands of dollars.