What is the average salary for a graphic designer in Australia?

There is no single published average for graphic designers. The ABS does not report a specific figure. The Fair Work Graphic Arts, Printing and Publishing Award sets minimum rates: for a Level 5 classification (trade certificate) the minimum weekly rate is $1,119.10, or about $58,193 per year. Actual salaries vary widely by experience, location, and industry.

How does a graphic designer's pay compare to the national average?

The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year) according to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026. The award minimum for a graphic designer is roughly half that. However, experienced graphic designers in sectors like digital media or corporate design can earn above the national average.

What factors affect a graphic designer's salary?

Key factors include experience level, location, industry sector, and whether the role is covered by an enterprise agreement. State full-time averages range from $96,008 in Tasmania to $119,090 in the Australian Capital Territory. Industries such as information media and telecommunications have higher average earnings, which can lift pay for graphic designers in those fields.

Graphic Designer Salary in Australia: How It Compares to the National Average

Where Does the Graphic Designer Salary Sit Against the National Average?

If you are a graphic designer in Australia or considering the profession, you probably want to know how the pay compares to the typical full-time worker. The short answer is that the minimum award rate for a graphic designer is well below the national full-time average, but many designers earn more depending on their experience, industry, and location.

The National Full-Time Average

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes Average Weekly Earnings twice a year. The latest release for May 2026 shows that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week. That works out to about $108,352 a year (multiplied by 52 weeks). This figure is the line that Average line uses as the benchmark. For men the average is $2,181.00 per week ($113,412 a year) and for women $1,934.50 per week ($100,594 a year).

Award Minimums for Graphic Designers

Many graphic designers are covered by the Graphic Arts, Printing and Publishing Award 2020. This Fair Work award sets minimum weekly rates for different classification levels. For a graphic designer who holds a trade certificate or Certificate III, the classification is Level 5. From 1 July 2026 the minimum weekly rate for a full-time Level 5 employee is $1,119.10, which is $29.45 per hour. That is about $58,193 per year. A Level 4 classification (Certificate II) pays $1,062.90 per week ($27.97 per hour). These are the legal minimums; many employers pay above award rates, especially for experienced or specialised designers.

Comparing to the National Average

The award minimum for a Level 5 graphic designer is roughly 54% of the national full-time average. That gap reflects that the award covers entry-level and trade-qualified roles. In practice, graphic designers in high-demand sectors such as digital marketing, user experience, or corporate branding can earn salaries that match or exceed the national average. The ABS does not publish a specific average for graphic designers, so the award rates are the only official benchmark.

State and Territory Differences

Where you work makes a big difference. The ABS state full-time averages for May 2026 are:

New South Wales: $2,108.80 per week ($109,658 a year)
Victoria: $2,041.10 per week ($106,137 a year)
Queensland: $2,039.70 per week ($106,064 a year)
South Australia: $1,970.20 per week ($102,450 a year)
Western Australia: $2,227.40 per week ($115,825 a year)
Tasmania: $1,846.30 per week ($96,008 a year)
Northern Territory: $1,984.10 per week ($103,173 a year)
Australian Capital Territory: $2,290.20 per week ($119,090 a year)

Graphic designers in the ACT or Western Australia may find higher pay, while those in Tasmania or South Australia may see lower averages. See the state breakdown for more detail.

Medians vs Averages

The national full-time median (from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey, August 2025) is about $90,532 per year. That is lower than the average because high earners pull the average up. The all-employees median (including part-time and casual) is about $74,100. For graphic designers, the median is likely below the full-time average, but again no specific figure is published. Explore job medians for other occupations.

Tax and Take-Home Pay

Once you have a salary figure, tax matters. For the 2026–27 year, the resident tax rates are:

Nil on the first $18,200
15% on income between $18,201 and $45,000
30% on income between $45,001 and $135,000
37% on income between $135,001 and $190,000
45% on income above $190,000

Plus a 2% Medicare levy (with possible reductions for low incomes). A graphic designer earning the award minimum of $58,193 would pay about $8,488 in tax plus $1,164 Medicare levy, leaving around $48,541 after tax. A designer earning the national average of $108,352 would pay about $24,606 tax plus $2,167 Medicare, leaving about $81,579.

How the Figures Are Set

The national average comes from the ABS survey of employers. The award minimums are set by the Fair Work Commission after annual wage reviews. Learn more about the data sources.

Conclusion

A graphic designer salary in Australia can range from the award minimum of around $58,000 to well above the national average of $108,000 for experienced professionals in high-paying industries. The key is to know your award classification, negotiate based on your skills, and consider location. Place your salary on the line to see how it compares to the national full-time average.