What Is Base Salary?
Base salary is the fixed amount you earn before any extras such as overtime, bonuses, commissions, or allowances. It is the core pay that your employer agrees to for your role, usually expressed as an annual figure or an hourly rate. In Australia, base salary is often set by an award, an enterprise agreement, or an individual contract. Understanding where your base salary sits relative to the national average helps you see if you are being paid fairly for your work.
The National Full-Time Average
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes Average Weekly Earnings twice a year. The most recent release, for May 2026, shows that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week. Multiplied by 52 weeks, that is about $108,352 per year. This figure is the line on Average Line – the benchmark for full-time base salary in Australia. It is an average, meaning half of full-time employees earn less and half earn more, but the median full-time salary is lower at about $90,532 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). The all-employees median, which includes part-time and casual workers, is about $74,100.
How Your State Moves You Off the Line
Your base salary can differ from the national average depending on where you live. Each state and territory has its own economic mix, cost of living, and industry concentration. The ABS provides state-level averages for full-time ordinary-time earnings. Here are the figures from the May 2026 release:
- New South Wales: about $109,658 per year
- Victoria: about $106,137
- Queensland: about $106,064
- South Australia: about $102,450
- Western Australia: about $115,825
- Tasmania: about $96,008
- Northern Territory: about $103,173
- Australian Capital Territory: about $119,090
If you work in Western Australia, your base salary is likely higher than the national line because of the mining and resources sector. In Tasmania, the average is lower, reflecting a different industry structure. The Australian Capital Territory’s high average is driven by the large public sector, where base salaries tend to be higher. To see how your state compares, visit the States and territories page.
How Awards and the Minimum Wage Affect Base Salary
Your base salary is also influenced by the award or agreement that covers your job. The Fair Work Ombudsman sets minimum wages for most employees through awards. The national minimum wage, which applies to employees not covered by an award, is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week from 1 July 2026. That works out to about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week. However, award minimums are often higher. In the 2026 Annual Wage Review, award rates increased by 4.75%, meaning many base salaries rose above the national minimum.
If you are covered by an award, your base salary must be at least the minimum rate for your classification. Many awards have multiple levels, so your base salary can increase with experience or skill. Enterprise agreements may set even higher base rates. The national full-time average of $108,352 is well above the minimum wage, but it is an average – some base salaries are lower, especially for junior or entry-level roles.
Comparing Your Base Salary to the Line
Average Line lets you place your base salary on the line and see how it compares to the national full-time average. You enter your yearly salary before tax, and the tool shows your weekly and hourly equivalents based on a 38-hour week. It also shows the distance from the national average. For example, if your base salary is $90,000, you are about $18,352 below the line. If it is $120,000, you are about $11,648 above.
Remember that the line uses the ABS average for full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. If you work part-time or casually, your base salary will naturally be lower, but the tool still shows the comparison. You can also explore Job medians and Industry medians to see typical base salaries in your field.
Why the Line Matters
Knowing where your base salary sits against the national average helps you negotiate pay, plan your finances, and understand your position in the labour market. The line is not a target – it is a reference point. If you are below the line, it may be due to your state, industry, or experience level. If you are above, you may be in a high-paying sector or have specialised skills. The ABS data is the most reliable source for these comparisons, and Average Line makes it easy to see your place.
Tax and Take-Home Pay
Your base salary is before tax. For the 2026–27 financial year, the resident tax rates 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 to most taxpayers, with reductions for low incomes. Your take-home pay depends on your total taxable income, including any allowances or bonuses. The base salary is the starting point.
Start Your Comparison
To see where your base salary sits, Place a salary on the line. You can also explore state and territory averages on the States and territories page. The data is from the ABS and Fair Work, so you can trust the benchmarks.