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Is $80,000 a Good Salary in Australia? How It Compares to the National Average

An $80,000 salary is below the national full-time average of about $108,352 but above the all-employees median of about $74,100 and the minimum wage.

This sits on the Australian full-time average.

Week, hour, and a tax sketch

$2,084 a week · $54.83 an hour if spread over 38 hours

About $83,159 after resident income tax and a 2% Medicare levy.

2026–27 resident rates and a 2% Medicare levy. Not a tax assessment.Open the full line

Where $80,000 Sits Against the National Full-Time Average

If you earn $80,000 a year before tax, you are below the national full-time adult average. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026 show that full-time workers earn an average of $2,083.70 per week in ordinary time, which works out to about $108,352 annually. That means the typical full-time employee takes home roughly $28,000 more than you each year.

But being below the average does not mean $80,000 is a low salary. The average is pulled up by high earners in capital cities and certain industries. A better comparison is the median, which tells you what the middle worker earns.

How $80,000 Compares to the Median

The ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey for August 2025 (the latest available) gives a full-time median of about $90,532 per year. That is higher than $80,000, so half of full-time workers earn more and half earn less. The all-employees median (including part-time and casual workers) is about $74,100. On that measure, $80,000 is above the middle of all workers.

So if you are working full-time, $80,000 is a little below the midpoint. If you include everyone, you are earning more than most.

$80,000 vs the Minimum Wage

Fair Work sets the national minimum wage. From 1 July 2026, it is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. That comes to about $52,255 per year. Award minimums rose by 4.75% at the same time.

At $80,000, you earn more than 1.5 times the minimum wage. That puts you well above the legal floor and into a range where you can cover basic living costs in most areas.

State-by-State Comparisons

Where you live makes a big difference. The ABS publishes state full-time averages from the same May 2026 survey. Here is how $80,000 compares:

  • New South Wales full-time average: about $109,658. $80,000 is about 27% below.
  • Victoria full-time average: about $106,137. $80,000 is about 25% below.
  • Queensland full-time average: about $106,064. Similar gap.
  • South Australia full-time average: about $102,450. $80,000 is about 22% below.
  • Western Australia full-time average: about $115,825. $80,000 is about 31% below.
  • Tasmania full-time average: about $96,008. $80,000 is about 17% below.
  • Northern Territory full-time average: about $103,173. About 22% below.
  • Australian Capital Territory full-time average: about $119,090. About 33% below.

In every state and territory, $80,000 is below the full-time average. But the gap is smallest in Tasmania and largest in the ACT and WA. If you live in a lower-cost area like Tasmania or regional Queensland, $80,000 can go further than in Sydney or Melbourne.

What About Gender?

The ABS also breaks down averages by gender. For men, the full-time ordinary-time average is about $113,412 per year. For women, it is about $100,594. Both are above $80,000. The gender pay gap means women on $80,000 are closer to the female average than men are to the male average.

Tax on $80,000

Using the 2026–27 resident tax rates:

  • Nil tax on the first $18,200
  • 15% on the next $26,800 (up to $45,000)
  • 30% on the next $35,000 (up to $80,000)

That gives an estimated tax of $16,267, plus the 2% Medicare levy ($1,600), for a total of about $17,867. Your weekly take-home pay would be roughly $1,195. That is enough for rent, bills, food, and some savings in most suburbs, but you may need to budget carefully in expensive cities.

Is $80,000 a Good Salary?

Yes, $80,000 is a good salary in Australia for most people. It is above the all-employees median and well above the minimum wage. It provides a comfortable lifestyle for a single person or a couple sharing expenses. However, it is below the full-time average, so you are not in the top half of full-time earners. If you are supporting a family or living in a high-cost city like Sydney, you may find it tight.

To see exactly where your salary sits on the national line, Place a salary on the line using our tool. You can also compare your pay across States and territories or look up Job medians and Industry medians for more context.

Key Takeaways

  • The national full-time average is about $108,352. $80,000 is below that.
  • The full-time median is about $90,532. $80,000 is below that too.
  • The all-employees median is about $74,100. $80,000 is above that.
  • The minimum wage is about $52,255. $80,000 is well above.
  • State averages range from $96,008 (Tasmania) to $119,090 (ACT). $80,000 is below all of them.
  • After tax, you take home about $1,195 per week.

Overall, $80,000 is a solid middle-income salary. It is not high by full-time standards, but it is enough to live on comfortably in most of Australia.

Questions

What is the average salary in Australia in 2026?

The national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings are $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year, according to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026. This is the figure used by the Average line salary index.

Is $80,000 a good salary for a single person in Australia?

Yes, $80,000 is a comfortable salary for a single person in most parts of Australia. It is above the all-employees median of about $74,100 and well above the national minimum wage of about $52,255. However, it is below the full-time average, so you may be earning less than the typical full-time worker.

How much tax will I pay on $80,000 in Australia?

For the 2026–27 financial year, an $80,000 salary falls into the 30% tax bracket (after the tax-free threshold and lower rates). The estimated tax is about $16,267 plus the 2% Medicare levy, giving a total of around $17,867. Your take-home pay would be roughly $62,133 per year, or about $1,195 per week.

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