Understand your salary in year, week, and hour
When you fill out an invoice template for salary, you need to know how your pay breaks down across different periods. This page shows you how to read the same pay as a yearly figure, a weekly amount, and an hourly rate, all based on a standard 38-hour week. You can also see where your salary sits against the national full-time average, the minimum wage, and typical earnings across Australia.
The national full-time average
The benchmark used on this site is the full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026. That figure is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year. This is the line against which your salary is measured. If your pay is above this, you are earning more than the typical full-time worker; if below, you are earning less.
It is important to distinguish this average from the median. The median full-time salary is about $90,532 per year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025), meaning half of full-time workers earn less and half earn more. The all-employees median (including part-time and casual) is about $74,100 per year. The average is pulled higher by high earners, so the median often gives a better sense of what a typical worker earns.
Minimum wage and award rates
From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week (Fair Work). Award minimums rose by 4.75% from the same date. If you are using an invoice template for salary to bill for work covered by a modern award, check the Fair Work Modern Awards Pay Database for the correct minimum rate for your classification.
State and territory averages
Full-time average weekly ordinary time earnings vary across Australia. The ABS data for May 2026 shows:
- New South Wales: about $109,658 per year
- Victoria: about $106,137 per year
- Queensland: about $106,064 per year
- South Australia: about $102,450 per year
- Western Australia: about $115,825 per year
- Tasmania: about $96,008 per year
- Northern Territory: about $103,173 per year
- Australian Capital Territory: about $119,090 per year
These figures are annualised from the weekly averages. When you enter your salary into the invoice template, the tool will show how your pay compares to your state's average as well as the national figure. See the States and territories page for more detail.
Men's and women's average earnings
The ABS reports separate averages by gender. For full-time adult ordinary time earnings in May 2026:
- Men: $2,181.00 per week, about $113,412 per year
- Women: $1,934.50 per week, about $100,594 per year
These are averages, not medians, and do not account for differences in occupation, hours, or experience. The gender pay gap persists across most industries.
Tax on your salary
For the 2026–27 income 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 Medicare levy of 2% (with possible reductions for low incomes). These rates apply to your taxable income before any offsets. When you use an invoice template for salary, remember that the amount you invoice is usually before tax, and you will need to set aside money for the ATO.
How the tool works
Place a salary on the line by entering your yearly salary before tax. The tool instantly converts it to a weekly amount (÷52) and an hourly rate (÷38). It also shows the distance from the national full-time average, so you can see whether you are above or below the line. This is especially useful when you are preparing an invoice and want to confirm your rate is competitive or compliant.
For more context, explore Job medians and Industry medians to see typical earnings in your field. The Guides section has articles on negotiating rates and understanding pay structures. To learn how the ABS and Fair Work compile these figures, see How the figures are set.
Using the invoice template
An invoice template for salary typically includes fields for your name, the client, a description of services, the amount, and payment terms. By entering your annual salary into this site first, you can fill in the correct weekly or hourly rate on the invoice. This ensures consistency and helps you avoid undercharging or overcharging. The template on this page does not store your data or require a login.
Remember that the national average is just one reference point. Your personal circumstances, industry, experience, and location all affect what you should charge. Use the state and median data alongside the average to get a full picture.
About this site
About this site explains the methodology and sources. All figures come from the ABS, Fair Work, or the ATO. We update the national average twice a year following the ABS Average Weekly Earnings releases in May and November. The minimum wage is updated after the Annual Wage Review each July.
If you have further questions about how to read your salary on an invoice template, check the FAQs below or browse the other pages on this site.