Chief Financial Officer Salary: Where It Sits Against the Australian Full-Time Average
If you are researching the chief financial officer salary in Australia, you will not find a single official figure published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The ABS does not break out earnings for specific executive roles like CFO. However, the closest official category—Managers—provides a useful benchmark. According to the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey for May 2025, the average weekly total cash earnings for all managers was $2,800.90, which equates to roughly $145,647 a year (multiplied by 52). This is well above the national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings of $2,083.70 (about $108,352 a year) from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026.
The National Full-Time Average as a Reference Point
The site's salary line is set at the national full-time adult ordinary-time average: $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year. This figure comes from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026. It represents the average weekly ordinary time earnings for full-time adults, seasonally adjusted. By comparison, the median full-time employee earns about $90,532 a year, and the median for all employees (including part-time) is about $74,100 (ABS Employee earnings, August 2025). The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week on a 38-hour week, about $52,255 a year.
A chief financial officer's salary is almost certain to exceed all these benchmarks. Even the broad Managers average is about 34% above the national full-time average. Actual CFO pay can be much higher, especially in large corporations or certain industries.
Using the Managers Category as a Proxy
The ABS classifies occupations using the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO). CFOs fall under the broader category of Managers, which includes chief executives, general managers, and specialist managers. The May 2025 Employee Earnings and Hours data shows that managers had the highest average weekly earnings of any occupation group: $2,800.90. Their average hourly total cash earnings were $69.20, and they worked an average of 37.1 hours per week. This is significantly above the all-occupations average of $1,611.10 per week and $47.90 per hour.
It is important to note that the Managers category includes many roles below the CFO level, so the average is pulled down by lower-paid managers. A CFO at a mid-to-large company would typically earn more than the average manager. Commercial salary surveys often report CFO salaries ranging from $200,000 to over $500,000, but these are not official ABS figures.
State and Territory Variations
Where a CFO works also matters. The on-site notes provide state full-time averages based on ABS data. The highest average is in the Australian Capital Territory ($119,090), followed by Western Australia ($115,825) and New South Wales ($109,658). The lowest is Tasmania ($96,008). CFOs in high-cost states like NSW or WA may command higher salaries. For a detailed breakdown, see the States and territories page.
Tax Implications for High Earners
A CFO earning well above the national average will face Australia's progressive tax system. For the 2026–27 income year, the tax-free threshold is $18,200. Income from $18,201 to $45,000 is taxed at 15%, then 30% up to $135,000, 37% up to $190,000, and 45% above that. The Medicare levy of 2% applies to most residents. A CFO earning $250,000, for example, would have a marginal tax rate of 45% plus Medicare, meaning a significant portion goes to tax. Understanding your take-home pay is crucial when placing a salary on the line.
How the Figures Are Set
The ABS collects earnings data through surveys of employers. The Average Weekly Earnings survey is published twice a year (May and November), not quarterly. The Employee Earnings and Hours survey is less frequent. These are the most authoritative sources for understanding broad pay levels. For more on methodology, see How the figures are set.
Conclusion
While there is no official ABS figure for a chief financial officer salary, the available data shows that even the broad Managers category sits well above the national full-time average. CFOs are among the highest-paid professionals in Australia, and their earnings reflect that. Use the site's tools to compare any salary against the national line, and remember that state, industry, and company size all play a role.