Detective pay and the national average
If you're looking up a detective salary in Australia, you'll quickly find that a precise, published figure is hard to come by. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Jobs and Skills Australia do not release median weekly earnings for the occupation of Detective (ANZSCO 441311) because the workforce is too small to produce reliable estimates. The Jobs and Skills Australia profile for detectives states that median weekly earnings are 'N/A' and that figures are not produced for 6-digit occupations.
That doesn't mean we can't talk about where detective pay likely sits relative to the national full-time average. The national full-time adult ordinary-time average, as measured by the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026, is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 a year (multiplied by 52 weeks). This is the line that Place a salary on the line uses as its benchmark.
What the data shows
While we lack a detective-specific median, we can look at the broader context. Detectives are overwhelmingly employed in the public sector – typically by state and territory police forces. The ABS reports that public sector full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings in May 2026 were $2,263.10, or $117,681 a year. That is about $9,329 above the national full-time average. Private sector full-time ordinary time earnings were $2,034.10 ($105,773 a year).
So, simply by being a public sector employee, a detective is likely to earn above the all-industries average. However, that's a broad brush. The ABS Employee Earnings survey from August 2025 gives median weekly earnings for full-time employees overall at $1,741 ($90,532 a year) and for all employees at $1,425 ($74,100 a year). These medians are lower than the averages, which are pulled up by high earners.
Factors that influence detective earnings
Several factors could move a detective's pay above or below the national average:
- Public sector premium: As noted, public sector averages are higher. Police salaries are set by state awards or enterprise agreements, often with incremental steps based on years of service and rank. A detective constable might start below the national average but progress above it after a few years.
- Overtime and allowances: Detectives work an average of 44 hours per week, according to the 2021 Census data cited by Jobs and Skills Australia. That is above the standard 38-hour week used for the national minimum wage and for calculating the full-time average. Overtime at penalty rates (e.g., time-and-a-half or double time) can significantly boost total earnings. Shift allowances, on-call allowances, and specialist skills payments also add to the base salary.
- Experience and rank: The median age of detectives is 41, suggesting a seasoned workforce. Senior detectives, detective sergeants, and detective inspectors earn more than junior officers. The national full-time average is for all adults, so a detective with 15 years of experience is likely well above that figure.
- Gender composition: Only 28% of detectives are female, according to the Jobs and Skills Australia profile. The ABS shows that women's full-time average ordinary time earnings ($1,934.50 per week, $100,594 a year) are lower than men's ($2,181.50, $113,412 a year). If the detective workforce is predominantly male, the average for the occupation may be closer to the male average.
Location matters
State and territory averages vary considerably. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings release provides full-time adult ordinary time earnings by state. Using the on-site figures derived from that release:
- 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 detective working in the ACT or WA is likely to earn more than one in Tasmania or South Australia, simply because the overall wage level is higher. Police enterprise agreements often include locality allowances or cost-of-living adjustments, but the base rates are set by state awards. You can explore state-by-state comparisons on our States and territories page.
The role of overtime and allowances
Because detectives often work beyond the standard 38-hour week, their total earnings can exceed the ordinary-time average. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey also reports 'total earnings' which include overtime. For full-time adults nationally, average weekly total earnings were $2,160.10 in May 2026 ($112,325 a year). That is about $3,973 more than ordinary time earnings. For public sector full-time adults, total earnings averaged $2,331.70 ($121,248 a year).
If a detective works regular overtime, their total pay could comfortably sit above the national full-time average. Conversely, a detective who works only standard hours and is early in their career might earn below it.
The floor: minimum wage and awards
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week. Award minimums rose by 4.75% from that date. Police awards are generally above the minimum, but they set the base rate for each classification. A detective's base salary under an award might be below the national average, but allowances and overtime typically push it higher.
Conclusion
Without a published median for detectives, we cannot say definitively whether the typical detective earns above or below the national full-time average of $108,352. However, the available evidence – public sector employment, high full-time hours, seniority, and location – suggests that many detectives earn above that line. For a personalised estimate, you can Place a salary on the line and see how it compares.
For more on how salaries are measured, see How the figures are set.