The national line and where politicians sit
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average, as measured by the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026, is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 a year. This is the line that Average line uses as a benchmark. But not every worker falls on that line. A politician like Barnaby Joyce, a federal MP, has a salary set by the Remuneration Tribunal, not by an award or enterprise agreement. The exact figure is not published in the sources used on this site (ABS, Fair Work, ATO), but it is known to be substantially above the national average. That difference illustrates how a specific role can move a salary off the national line.
State and award factors
State averages vary considerably. For example, the Australian Capital Territory has the highest full-time average at about $119,090 per year, while Tasmania's is about $96,008. These differences reflect the mix of industries, occupations, and public sector employment in each state. The national line is an aggregate; your own salary may be higher or lower depending on where you live and what you do. States and territories provides a breakdown.
Awards also play a role. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week. Award minimums rose by 4.75% in the latest Annual Wage Review. But many workers earn above the minimum. The full-time median, from ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025, is about $90,532 per year, and the all-employees median is about $74,100. These medians are lower than the average because high earners pull the average up.
How Barnaby Joyce's salary fits
Barnaby Joyce, as a federal MP, is not covered by a modern award. His salary is determined by the Remuneration Tribunal, which sets rates for parliamentarians and other office holders. While we cannot give a precise figure from the sources used here, it is safe to say his salary is well above the national full-time average. This highlights that the national line is a useful benchmark, but individual circumstances—such as being a politician, working in a high-paying industry, or living in a high-earning state—can push a salary far from that line.
Using the site to compare
You can place any salary on the line using the tool on this site. Enter a yearly figure, and it will show the weekly and hourly equivalents on a 38-hour week, plus the distance from the national full-time average. For example, if you enter a salary of $150,000, you'll see it is above the average. For Barnaby Joyce's salary, you would need to know the exact figure from the Remuneration Tribunal's determinations. Place a salary on the line to see how any salary compares.
The role of tax
Resident tax rates for 2026–27 are: nil up to $18,200, 15% from $18,201 to $45,000, 30% from $45,001 to $135,000, 37% from $135,001 to $190,000, and 45% above $190,000. The Medicare levy of 2% applies before reductions. A high salary like that of a federal MP would fall into the top bracket, meaning a significant portion goes to tax. But the before-tax figure is what this site uses for comparison.
Conclusion
The national full-time average is a single line, but real salaries vary widely due to state, industry, award coverage, and role. Barnaby Joyce's salary is an example of a role that sits well above that line. For most workers, the median gives a better sense of typical earnings. Use the tools on this site to see where your salary sits. Guides and How the figures are set provide more detail on the methodology.