How the National Average Works
The Australian Bureau of Statistics publishes Average Weekly Earnings twice a year, for May and November. The May 2026 release shows full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year when multiplied by 52. This is the line this site uses to compare any salary. The figure is an average, not a median, and it covers all full-time adults across all industries and occupations.
For context, the full-time median is about $90,532 per year, and the all-employees median is about $74,100 per year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week.
Where Lab Technicians Fit
A precise national salary figure for “lab technician” is not published by the ABS or Fair Work as a single data point. However, lab technicians typically work in health care and scientific services, and many are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award (MA000027). The award’s pay guide, effective from October 2026, lists weekly rates for support services employees. These rates are minimums; actual pay may be higher under enterprise agreements or individual arrangements.
Support services classifications under the award range from Level 1 ($1,024.70 per week, about $53,284 per year) to Level 9 ($1,435.00 per week, about $74,620 per year). Lab technicians with specialised skills may be classified at higher levels or under the health professionals stream, which has different rates not shown in the support services table.
Industry Context
The ABS industry data for May 2026 shows full-time adult ordinary-time earnings in Health Care and Social Assistance at $2,037.20 per week, or about $105,934 per year. This is slightly below the national full-time average of $108,352. The industry includes many roles beyond lab technicians, but it gives a broad reference point.
Other relevant industries include Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, where the full-time average is $2,389.60 per week (about $124,259 per year). Lab technicians in private laboratories may fall under this industry depending on their employer.
Tax and Take-Home Pay
For the 2026–27 income year, 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. The Medicare levy of 2% applies before any reductions. A lab technician earning the award minimum of $53,284 would pay about $6,700 in tax plus Medicare, leaving around $46,584 take-home. At the health care industry average of $105,934, tax and Medicare would be about $26,300, leaving about $79,634.
How This Site Can Help
You can place a salary on the line to see how any figure compares to the national full-time average, the median, and the minimum wage. For a broader view, explore industry medians to see how health care and other sectors stack up.
Key Takeaways
- The national full-time average is $108,352 per year (ABS, May 2026).
- Lab technician salaries are not published as a single figure, but award rates for support services start around $53,284 and go up to $74,620.
- The health care industry average is about $105,934, close to the national average.
- Actual pay depends on classification, experience, and employer. Always check the relevant award or your employment contract.