Where a business development manager salary sits against the Australian full-time average
If you are researching a business development manager salary in Australia, the most authoritative source for national earnings benchmarks is the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). However, the ABS does not publish a separate figure for business development managers. The closest occupation category available is Managers, which provides a useful reference point.
The national full-time average: the line on the site
This site uses the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026, as its central line. For full-time adult ordinary-time earnings (seasonally adjusted), the national average is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (multiplied by 52). This figure is the benchmark against which all salaries on this site are compared.
For context:
- The full-time median (from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours, August 2025) is about $90,532 per year.
- The all-employees median (including part-time) is about $74,100 per year.
- 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.
The Managers category as a proxy
The ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey for May 2025 (released 23 January 2026) provides average weekly total cash earnings by occupation. For the occupation group Managers, the average across all employees (full-time and part-time) was $2,800.90 per week. Annualised, that is approximately $145,647.
This figure is substantially above the national full-time average of $2,083.70 per week. It suggests that business development managers, who typically fall within the Managers category, earn well above the typical Australian full-time worker. However, note that:
- This average includes all management roles (e.g., general managers, sales managers, project managers) and may not reflect the specific pay for business development managers.
- It includes both full-time and part-time employees, though most managers work full-time.
- The median weekly earnings for all male employees were $1,674 and for all female employees $1,250 (August 2025), but managers as a group have higher earnings.
How business development manager pay compares by state
State full-time averages (from the on-site notes) vary significantly, and a business development manager's salary will often align with the local market. The state averages are:
- New South Wales: $109,658 per year
- Victoria: $106,137
- Queensland: $106,064
- South Australia: $102,450
- Western Australia: $115,825
- Tasmania: $96,008
- Northern Territory: $103,173
- Australian Capital Territory: $119,090
A business development manager in Western Australia or the ACT may command a premium, while those in Tasmania may be closer to the lower end of the range. The national full-time average of $108,352 sits near the middle.
Tax considerations for 2026–27
If you are evaluating a business development manager salary offer, remember that the 2026–27 resident tax rates (from the ATO) are:
- Nil tax on the first $18,200; 15% up to $45,000; 30% up to $135,000; 37% up to $190,000; 45% above that. Plus Medicare levy 2% before reductions. A salary around $145,647 would fall into the 37% bracket, with an effective rate around 30% after the low-income offsets.
Where to go for more detail
You can [Place a salary on the line](/line**](/line) to see how any salary compares to the line. For occupation-specific benchmarks, see Job medians for broader categories like Managers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average salary for a business development manager in Australia? The ABS does not publish a specific figure. The closest category, Managers, averaged $2,800.90 per week in May 2025, about $145,647 per year. This is a benchmark, not a precise figure.
How does a business development manager salary compare to the national full-time average? The national full-time average is $2,083.70 per week. The Managers average is significantly higher, indicating business development managers typically earn above the average. However, individual salaries vary.
What factors influence a business development manager's pay in Australia? Industry, experience, location, and company size are key. State averages range from $96,008 to $119,090. Most managers have pay set by individual arrangement (38.5% of all employees). The minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, but business development managers earn well above that.