Gross Salary and the National Average
Gross salary is the amount you earn before tax and other deductions. It is the headline figure on your pay slip and the basis for calculating your income tax, Medicare levy, and superannuation guarantee. Understanding where your gross salary sits relative to the national full-time average helps you gauge your earning position in the Australian labour market.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes Average Weekly Earnings (AWE) twice a year, for May and November. The latest release, for May 2026, shows that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week. Multiplied by 52, that gives an annual gross salary of about $108,352. This is the 'line' used on this site to compare your pay.
What Moves Pay Above or Below the Average
Your gross salary can differ from the national average for many reasons. The ABS data breaks down earnings by sector, state, gender, and industry. For instance, the public sector pays higher average ordinary-time earnings ($2,263.10 per week) than the private sector ($2,034.10). If you work in the Australian Capital Territory, the average full-time gross salary is about $119,090 per year, whereas in Tasmania it is about $96,008. These state differences reflect the mix of industries, cost of living, and employer types in each region.
Gender also affects averages. Men's full-time ordinary-time earnings average $2,181.00 per week (about $113,412 per year), while women's average $1,934.50 per week (about $100,594 per year). The ABS notes that these comparisons do not account for compositional differences such as occupation, hours worked, or years of experience.
Your own gross salary may include components beyond ordinary-time earnings. Overtime, bonuses, commissions, and penalty rates can push your total gross salary above the ordinary-time average. Conversely, if you work part-time or casually, your gross salary will likely be lower than the full-time average. The all-employees average total earnings (including part-time and casual) is $1,579.20 per week, or about $82,118 per year.
The Minimum Wage Floor
No matter your role, your gross salary cannot fall below the National Minimum Wage if you are not covered by an award or agreement. As of 1 July 2026, the minimum is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week (Fair Work). For a full-time worker on 38 hours, that equates to about $52,255 per year. Award minimums increased by 4.75% in the same review. If your gross salary is at or near this level, you are earning the legal minimum; most full-time workers earn well above it.
Medians vs Averages
While the average gives a useful benchmark, the median gross salary for full-time employees is lower: about $90,532 per year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). The all-employees median is about $74,100. The median is less affected by very high earners and may better represent the 'typical' worker. Your gross salary relative to the median tells you whether you earn more or less than half of all employees.
Tax on Gross Salary
Your gross salary is the starting point for tax. For the 2026–27 income year, the resident tax rates are: nil up to $18,200; 15% from $18,201 to $45,000; 30% from $45,001 to $135,000; 37% from $135,001 to $190,000; and 45% above $190,000. A 2% Medicare levy applies to most taxpayers, with reductions for low incomes. If your gross salary is $108,352 (the national average), your tax before offsets would be roughly $24,667 plus Medicare levy, leaving a net salary of about $79,000. Use the ATO's tax calculator for your exact situation.
How to Use This Site
To see where your gross salary sits, Place a salary on the line. The tool converts your yearly gross salary into a weekly and hourly figure (based on a 38-hour week) and shows the distance from the national full-time average. You can also explore States and territories to compare averages across Australia, or check Job medians and Industry medians for more specific benchmarks. For a deeper explanation of how the figures are set, visit How the figures are set.
Remember that the national average is a snapshot of full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. Your gross salary may include other payments, and your personal circumstances (hours, sector, location) will affect how you compare. The ABS updates the AWE twice a year, so the line moves. Check back after the November 2026 release for the latest figures.