Why a state or an award can move the figure off the national line
Mark Nawaqanitawase is a professional rugby union player who has represented Australia in sevens and the Wallabies. Unlike most employees, his salary is not set by a modern award or the National Minimum Wage. Instead, it is negotiated in a private contract, often governed by a collective bargaining agreement between Rugby Australia and the Rugby Union Players’ Association. Because his exact salary is not disclosed in any public source—such as a club announcement, a published contract, or a government register—it cannot be placed on the line.
The national full-time average as a benchmark
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 a week, or about $108,352 a year when multiplied by 52. This is the figure the site uses as the national line. For context, the full-time median (from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey, August 2025) is about $90,532 a year, and the all-employees median is about $74,100. The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, or $1,004.90 a week, which works out to about $52,255 a year on a 38-hour week.
Professional athletes typically earn above the national average, but the gap depends on the sport, the level of competition, and the individual’s role. Without a published figure for Mark Nawaqanitawase, we can only note that his pay would likely be determined by factors such as his contract length, performance bonuses, and the salary cap of his team.
State averages and where a rugby player might fit
The ABS also provides state and territory breakdowns. For May 2026, the full-time ordinary-time averages (annualised) are:
- New South Wales: about $109,658
- Victoria: about $106,137
- Queensland: about $106,064
- South Australia: about $102,450
- Western Australia: about $115,825
- Tasmania: about $96,008
- Northern Territory: about $103,173
- Australian Capital Territory: about $119,090
Mark Nawaqanitawase has played for the New South Wales Waratahs and the Wallabies, so his contract would likely be based in New South Wales. The state average there is slightly above the national line. However, a professional rugby contract can vary widely. Entry-level Super Rugby players may earn around $70,000–$80,000, while established Wallabies can earn several hundred thousand dollars. Without a specific figure, it is impossible to say where his salary sits relative to the New South Wales average.
How awards and agreements differ for most workers
For the vast majority of Australian employees, pay is set by a modern award or an enterprise agreement. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool helps workers find the correct minimum rates for their classification. Award minimums rose by 4.75% in the 2025–26 Annual Wage Review, and the National Minimum Wage applies to employees not covered by any award or agreement. Professional athletes are a notable exception: they are usually covered by a specific industry agreement or individual contract that overrides award rates.
What the absence of a published figure means
If a salary is not publicly reported, the site cannot calculate a distance from the national average. This is common for many private-sector roles, especially in sports, entertainment, and executive positions. Readers who want to compare their own salary can place a salary on the line using the site’s tool. For a broader view of how pay varies by location, see the states and territories page. Industry and occupation medians are also available on the industry medians and job medians pages.
Tax and take-home pay considerations
If Mark Nawaqanitawase’s salary were known, the 2026–27 resident tax rates would apply: nil up to $18,200; 15% on income 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. These brackets are set by the Australian Taxation Office and are the same for all resident employees, regardless of industry.
Summary
Mark Nawaqanitawase’s salary is not in the public domain, so it cannot be compared with the national full-time average. For most workers, the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, Fair Work minimum wages, and state averages provide a reliable benchmark. Professional athletes operate outside that framework, making their pay a matter of private contract. To learn more about how the site calculates its figures, visit the data page or the about this site page.