How the national average sets the line
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes Average Weekly Earnings twice a year, for May and November. The May 2026 release shows full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings of $2,083.70. Multiplied by 52 weeks, that is about $108,352 a year. This figure is the line used on this site to compare any salary against the national full-time average.
It is important to note that this is an average, not a median. The ABS Employee Earnings survey for August 2025 gives a full-time median of about $90,532 a year and an all-employees median of about $74,100. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, or $1,004.90 a week on a 38-hour week, which works out to about $52,255 a year. These three benchmarks – average, median, minimum – are distinct and each tells a different story.
Where a mechanic’s pay can sit
A mechanic’s salary is not a single published figure. The ABS does not release an average or median specifically for mechanics. However, the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award (the Vehicle Industry RS&R Award) sets minimum weekly rates for five classification levels. These are the legal minimums for employees covered by the award.
Award classification levels
The award rates from 1 July 2025 are:
- Level 1: $922.70 per week ($47,980 a year)
- Level 2: $948.00 per week ($49,296 a year)
- Level 3: $982.40 per week ($51,085 a year)
- Level 4: $1,014.70 per week ($52,764 a year)
- Level 5: $1,038.90 per week ($54,023 a year)
These are minimums. Many mechanics are covered by enterprise agreements or individual contracts that pay more. The award also includes penalty rates for evening work – for example, Thursday and Friday between 8pm and 9.30pm attract 150% of the ordinary hourly rate for Level 1 ($36.42 per hour).
How the award compares to the national line
Even the highest award level ($54,023) is well below the national full-time average of $108,352. That does not mean mechanics earn that little – it means the award minimums are a floor. Actual earnings for experienced mechanics, especially those in specialised fields or high-demand regions, can be significantly higher.
State differences
The ABS state full-time averages show how location can move pay. The original estimates for May 2026 are:
- New South Wales: $2,108.80 per week ($109,658 a year)
- Victoria: $2,041.10 per week ($106,137 a year)
- Queensland: $2,039.70 per week ($106,064 a year)
- South Australia: $1,970.20 per week ($102,450 a year)
- Western Australia: $2,227.40 per week ($115,825 a year)
- Tasmania: $1,846.30 per week ($96,008 a year)
- Northern Territory: $1,984.10 per week ($103,173 a year)
- Australian Capital Territory: $2,229.20 per week ($119,090 a year)
A mechanic in Western Australia, particularly in the mining regions, can expect wages above the state average. In Tasmania, the state average is lower. The award applies nationally, but market conditions push pay above minimums. The site’s tool lets you compare your salary against the national full-time average and see how your state average differs.
How the site’s tool works
The on-site tool accepts a yearly salary before tax. It shows the equivalent weekly amount on a 38-hour week on a 38-hour week, plus distance from the full-time average. The line is the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026. The site does not require a login or award search. It simply shows where your pay sits against the national line.
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Summary
A mechanic’s salary is influenced by award classification, experience, and state. The national full-time average is $108,352. Award minimums start at $47,980 and go to $54,023. State averages range from $96,008 in Tasmania to $115,825 in Western Australia. The site’s tool helps you see where your pay sits relative to these benchmarks.