Mortgage broker salary: how location and pay structure affect the national line
Mortgage broker pay in Australia is not a single figure. It varies by state, experience, and whether you look at base salary or total package including commission. The national full-time adult ordinary-time average from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026, is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year. That is the line this site uses. Mortgage broker base salaries from FinTalent's FY26/27 benchmarks range from $75,000 to $120,000, with the median advertised package at $110,000. So where does a mortgage broker sit against the national line? It depends on where you work and how your pay is structured.
Where mortgage broker pay sits against the national average
FinTalent's data for a broker with two to five years of experience in a broking business shows a national base salary range of $85,000 to $110,000 plus super. That is below the national full-time average of $108,352 at the lower end, and around it at the upper end. The full-time median of $90,532 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025) falls inside that range. But many brokers earn commission on top of base. The median advertised package of $110,000 includes target commission, so total earnings can exceed the national average.
For comparison, the all-employees median is about $74,100, which is well below typical broker base salaries. Mortgage brokers are generally full-time professionals, so the full-time figures are more relevant.
How state averages differ
The national line hides big differences between states. The on-site state full-time averages are:
- New South Wales: $109,658
- Victoria: $106,137
- Queensland: $106,064
- South Australia: $102,450
- Western Australia: $115,825
- Tasmania: $96,008
- Northern Territory: $103,173
- Australian Capital Territory: $119,090
FinTalent's mortgage broker base salary ranges by city are:
- Sydney: $95,000 – $120,000
- Melbourne: $90,000 – $115,000
- Brisbane: $85,000 – $105,000
- Perth: $80,000 – $100,000
- Adelaide: $75,000 – $95,000
In Sydney, the top of the range exceeds the state average of $109,658. In Perth, the base range is below the WA state average of $115,825, so brokers there are below the state line unless commission lifts total pay. In Adelaide, the base range is well below the state average of $102,450. This is a clear example of why a state can move the figure off the national line. See how other states and territories compare.
The role of awards and individual arrangements
Most mortgage brokers are not paid by the award minimum wage. The national minimum from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, about $52,255 per year on 38 hours. Award minimums rose 4.75% that year. But mortgage brokers are often on individual arrangements. The ABS reports that 38.5% of all employees have pay set by individual arrangement, and 34.6% by collective agreement. For professionals, individual arrangement is common. This means pay is negotiated, not set by an award. However, award minimums provide a floor; most brokers earn well above.
Commission and total compensation
Base salary is only part of the story. Many mortgage brokers earn commission based on loan settlements. FinTalent notes that broker packages are often quoted on target including commission. The median advertised package of $110,000 is a total figure. So a broker with a base of $85,000 might earn $25,000 in commission, bringing total to $110,000. That total is close to the national full-time average. But if commission is variable, total earnings can fluctuate. This is why comparing base salary alone to the national line can be misleading.
Tax considerations
Once you know your total salary, you can estimate tax. The 2026–27 resident tax rates are: nil to $18,200; 15% to $45,000; 30% to $135,000; 37% to $190,000; 45% above that. Plus the Medicare levy of 2%. A mortgage broker earning $110,000 total would be in the 30% bracket, with a marginal rate of 32% including Medicare. But tax is not the focus here; the line is before tax.
How the figures are set
The national average comes from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey, released twice a year for May and November. The May 2026 figure is $2,083.70 per week for full-time adults. The site multiplies by 52 to get $108,352. That is the line. Medians come from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey, most recently August 2025. The minimum wage is set by Fair Work. For more on how the figures are set, see the data page.
Bottom line
Mortgage broker pay can sit above or below the national line depending on location, experience, and whether you count commission. In high-cost cities like Sydney, base salaries can match or exceed the average. In smaller markets like Adelaide, they are below. The award floor is much lower, but most brokers negotiate above it. If you are a mortgage broker, you can place your salary on the line to see where you stand against the national full-time average.
For more on how different occupations compare, see job medians.