Where does a case manager salary sit on the line?
If you work as a case manager in Australia, you might wonder how your pay compares to the national average. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) does not publish a specific salary figure for case managers, but we can use occupational and industry data to get a sense of where this role typically falls. This guide uses the latest ABS figures, the national minimum wage, and tax brackets to help you place your salary on the line.
National benchmarks: average, median, and minimum
The national full-time adult average ordinary-time earnings is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). This is the line the site uses. The full-time median is lower, at about $90,532 per year, and the all-employees median (including part-time) is about $74,100 per year (ABS Employee earnings, August 2025). The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, which works out to $1,004.90 per week and $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week (Fair Work). Award minimums rose by 4.75% from the same date.
Occupational averages for case managers
Case managers can be classified under different occupations depending on their industry. The ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey for May 2025 provides average weekly total cash earnings for broad occupation groups:
- Professionals: $2,049.60 per week ($106,579 per year) – this group includes many case managers in health, social services, and insurance.
- Community and personal service workers: $1,048.10 per week ($54,501 per year) – this covers case managers in community services, disability support, and aged care.
- Managers: $2,800.90 per week ($145,647 per year) – senior case managers or team leaders may fall here.
Hourly earnings also differ: Professionals average $64.50 per hour, Community and personal service workers $41.20 per hour, and all occupations $47.90 per hour (ABS, May 2025).
Industry matters
The industry you work in also affects your pay. Health Care and Social Assistance is the largest employing industry in Australia (14.5% of the workforce) and includes many case managers. The ABS does not publish a separate average for case managers within that industry, but the all-employees average for the industry is likely above the Community and personal service worker figure. Insurance and finance case managers may earn closer to the Professionals average.
State and territory differences
Where you live makes a difference. State full-time averages from the on-site notes (based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026) are:
- Australian Capital Territory: $119,090
- Western Australia: $115,825
- New South Wales: $109,658
- Victoria: $106,137
- Queensland: $106,064
- Northern Territory: $103,173
- South Australia: $102,450
- Tasmania: $96,008
A case manager in the ACT or WA is likely to earn more than one in Tasmania or SA, reflecting broader labour market conditions.
How tax affects take-home pay
For the 2026–27 financial year, resident tax rates are:
- Nil on the first $18,200
- 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
- 30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
- 37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
- 45% on income above $190,000
Plus a 2% Medicare levy (before any reductions). A case manager earning $80,000 per year would pay about $16,567 in tax and Medicare, leaving $63,433. Use the site’s calculator to see your own after-tax figure.
Putting it all together
Because “case manager” covers many roles, your salary could be above or below the national full-time average. If you work in a professional setting (e.g., hospital, insurance company), you may be close to or above the $108,352 line. If you work in community services, you may be below it but still above the minimum wage. The best way to see where you stand is to compare your salary on the line. For more detail on how the figures are set, see How the figures are set.
What would move your pay above or below the average?
- Industry and occupation: Professionals earn more than Community and personal service workers.
- Experience and seniority: Senior case managers or team leaders may be classified as Managers.
- Location: States with higher averages (ACT, WA) tend to pay more.
- Enterprise agreements or awards: Some case managers are covered by awards that set minimum rates; others negotiate individual arrangements.
- Full-time vs part-time: The national average is for full-time adults; part-time case managers earn less per week but may have a similar hourly rate.
If your salary is below the national average, it may still be competitive within your industry or region. Use the site to see how your pay compares to others in similar roles.