Understanding the Australian full-time average
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average in Australia is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026, multiplied by 52). This figure is the line used on this site to show where any salary sits. The full-time median is about $90,532, and the all-employees median is about $74,100 (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 (Fair Work).
The UK minimum wage and this site
This site tracks Australian salaries only, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Fair Work, and the Australian Taxation Office. The UK minimum wage is not published by any of these organisations, so we cannot provide a precise figure or a direct comparison. For the current UK minimum wage rate, you would need to consult the UK Government’s official publications. The keyword “minimum wage uk” may bring users looking for a cross-border comparison, but this article focuses on the Australian context and what would move a pay above or below the Australian full-time average.
What would move a pay above or below the average
If you were earning the UK minimum wage and working in Australia, your pay would be subject to Australian workplace laws. The Australian minimum wage is a floor, but many employees are covered by awards or enterprise agreements that set higher rates. To move your pay above the national full-time average of $108,352, you would need to earn more than $54.83 per hour on a 38-hour week. Factors that can push pay above the average include:
- Award rates: Many awards set minimum rates above the national minimum wage. For example, a qualified tradesperson or a professional may have a higher minimum under their award.
- Overtime and penalty rates: Working additional hours or unsocial hours can increase weekly earnings significantly.
- Location: State full-time averages vary. For instance, the Australian Capital Territory has a full-time average of about $119,090, while Tasmania is about $96,008. Moving to a higher-paying state could lift your pay relative to the national average.
- Industry and occupation: Some industries, such as mining or professional services, have much higher average earnings. You can explore industry medians and job medians on this site.
Conversely, if you earn the Australian minimum wage of about $52,255 per year, you are well below the full-time average. To reach the average, you would need to earn roughly double the minimum wage. Even the full-time median of $90,532 is significantly above the minimum wage.
State differences in full-time average pay
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings release provides state-level full-time averages. As of May 2026:
- 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
These figures show that where you work matters. If you are on the UK minimum wage and considering a move to Australia, your location will affect how your pay compares to the national average. You can Place a salary on the line to see how any amount stacks up against the full-time average. For more detail on state differences, see States and territories.
How the figures are set
The national full-time average is derived from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey, which is published twice a year (May and November). It covers adult full-time employees in ordinary-time earnings, excluding overtime. The median figures come from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey, released less frequently. The minimum wage is set by Fair Work after the annual wage review. All figures on this site are sourced from these official bodies. For more on methodology, see How the figures are set.
In summary, while the UK minimum wage is not directly comparable on this site, the Australian framework shows that pay above or below the average depends on hours, location, industry, and the applicable minimum or award rate. If you have a specific UK figure in mind, you can use the line tool to see where it sits against the Australian full-time average, but remember that currency and cost-of-living differences also apply.