The National Full-Time Average Line
This site compares your gross yearly salary before tax to the national full-time adult ordinary-time average. That average is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year, based on the ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026. The line on the chart shows where that figure sits. Your own pay may be above or below it for many reasons, including the state you work in and the award or agreement that covers your role.
State Averages Can Pull Pay Away from the National Line
Full-time average earnings vary noticeably across states and territories. According to the same ABS release, the highest average is in the Australian Capital Territory at about $119,090, while Tasmania sits at about $96,008. Other states cluster around the national figure: New South Wales about $109,658, Victoria about $106,137, Queensland about $106,064, South Australia about $102,450, Western Australia about $115,825, and the Northern Territory about $103,173.
These differences reflect industry mix, cost of living, and local labour markets. If you work in a state with a higher average, your salary may need to be above the national line to match typical local earnings. Conversely, a salary that is below the national line might still be competitive in a lower-average state. For more detail, see our States and territories page.
Awards and Minimum Wages Set a Floor
Awards set minimum pay rates for many industries and occupations. The national minimum wage, set by Fair Work 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. Award minimums rose by 4.75% from that date. These rates are a floor, not a target. Many employees earn above the award, and the full-time average is more than double the minimum wage.
If your role is covered by an award, your salary must at least meet the applicable minimum. That minimum can be lower than the national average, especially for entry-level or part-time roles. But if you are paid above the award, your salary may still fall short of the national average depending on your industry and experience. Our Guides explain how awards interact with salary comparisons.
Not for Profit Salary Packaging: A Special Case
Not-for-profit salary packaging is a tax-effective arrangement available to employees of certain charities, public benevolent institutions, and other eligible organisations. It allows you to sacrifice part of your gross salary for benefits such as living expenses, mortgage payments, or car leasing, and receive those benefits free from fringe benefits tax (FBT) up to a cap set by the ATO.
Because salary packaging reduces your taxable income, your take-home pay can be higher than what the gross salary alone would suggest. However, the national average line on this site is based on gross ordinary-time earnings before any packaging. The ABS does not publish a separate average for packaged salaries. The ATO sets the maximum amount that can be packaged without FBT—for example, up to $15,900 per year for general living expenses (plus additional amounts for entertainment and meal cards)—but these caps change and depend on the employer's classification.
Therefore, if you work in the not-for-profit sector, your gross salary might appear lower than the national average, but your effective after-tax income could be comparable or higher. The comparison on this site is a starting point; you should consider the value of packaging separately. For more on how the figures are set, see How the figures are set.
Putting It All Together
The national full-time average is a useful benchmark, but it is not a target for every worker. State averages, award minimums, and salary packaging all shift the picture. If your salary is below the line, it may still be fair given your location, industry, or the non-cash benefits you receive. If it is above the line, you are earning more than the typical full-time worker nationally.
Remember that the median full-time salary is about $90,532, and the median for all employees (including part-time) is about $74,100 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). These medians are lower than the average because high earners pull the average up. The minimum wage is much lower still. Understanding where your pay sits relative to these different measures gives a fuller picture of your earnings.