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NRLW salary: How it compares to the national full-time average

The NRLW salary is not published in the ABS or Fair Work sources used here. The national minimum wage is $52,255 a year, and the full-time average is $108,352.

This sits on the Australian full-time average.

Week, hour, and a tax sketch

$2,084 a week · $54.83 an hour if spread over 38 hours

About $83,159 after resident income tax and a 2% Medicare levy.

2026–27 resident rates and a 2% Medicare levy. Not a tax assessment.Open the full line

NRLW salary and the national full-time average

The NRLW (National Rugby League Women's) salary is not a single published figure in the official sources we rely on, such as the Australian Bureau of Statistics or Fair Work. Players are covered by an enterprise agreement negotiated between the Rugby League Players Association and the NRL. That agreement sets minimum payments, match fees, and other conditions, but the exact yearly salary for an individual player depends on their contract, experience, and role.

To give context, we can compare against the national benchmarks. The full-time adult average ordinary-time earnings in Australia are $2,083.70 a week, or about $108,352 a year, according to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026. This is the line on Average line. The all-employees median weekly earnings are $1,436, or about $74,100 a year (ABS Employee earnings, August 2025). The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, $1,004.90 a week, or about $52,255 a year on a 38-hour week, as set by Fair Work.

Most NRLW players are not full-time employees in the traditional sense; many have other jobs or study. The NRLW season is short, and payments are often structured as match fees and a retainer. The minimum wage provides a floor, but the actual NRLW salary is likely higher, though still well below the national full-time average. For a player earning the minimum wage equivalent, the yearly gross would be $52,255. For a player earning the all-employees median, it would be about $74,100. The full-time average of $108,352 is a stretch target for most.

State comparisons

Full-time average earnings vary by state and territory. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026 gives state figures. On a yearly basis (×52):

  • 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

NRLW teams are based in New South Wales, Queensland, and the ACT. A player in Canberra would be comparing against the highest state average. A player in Brisbane or Sydney would be close to the national average. See States and territories for more detail.

How the figures are set

The national full-time average comes from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey, conducted twice a year (May and November). It measures ordinary-time earnings for full-time adults before tax. The median figures come from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey, most recently for August 2025. The minimum wage is set annually by the Fair Work Commission, effective 1 July. Award minimums rose 4.75% in 2026. For more on methodology, see How the figures are set.

Tax on an NRLW salary

For the 2026–27 income year, resident tax rates are:

  • Nil on the first $18,200
  • 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
  • 30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
  • 37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
  • 45% on income above $190,000

A Medicare levy of 2% applies, though low-income earners may get a reduction. For example, on a salary of $60,000, the tax would be about $9,967 plus Medicare, leaving roughly $48,000 after tax. On the minimum wage of $52,255, tax is about $7,267 plus Medicare, leaving about $43,000. See Guides for more on take-home pay.

Where to find more

If you are an NRLW player or considering a contract, check the current enterprise agreement on the Fair Work Commission website. The ATO provides tax calculators. For salary comparisons across industries and occupations, see Industry medians and Job medians.

Summary

The NRLW salary is not a single public figure, but it sits somewhere between the national minimum wage ($52,255) and the full-time average ($108,352), likely closer to the all-employees median ($74,100). The average line on this site is $108,352. Most NRLW players earn below that line, reflecting the part-time nature of the competition. As the NRLW grows, salaries may rise toward the national average.

Questions

What is the NRLW salary?

The NRLW salary is not a single published figure in the sources we use. Players are covered by an enterprise agreement between the Rugby League Players Association and the NRL. The minimum wage for all employees not covered by an award or agreement is $26.44 per hour, or $52,255 a year on a 38-hour week, as set by Fair Work from 1 July 2026. NRLW players would earn at least that, but likely more under their specific agreement.

How does the NRLW salary compare to the national average?

The national full-time adult average ordinary-time earnings are $2,083.70 a week, or about $108,352 a year, according to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026. The all-employees median is about $74,100 a year (ABS Employee earnings, August 2025). If the NRLW salary is below the average, it may be closer to the minimum wage or the all-employees median, depending on the player's contract.

What tax would an NRLW player pay?

For the 2026–27 income year, resident tax rates are: nil up to $18,200; 15% 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. A Medicare levy of 2% applies before any reductions. For example, on a salary of $52,255 (minimum wage), the tax would be about $7,267 plus Medicare, leaving roughly $43,000 after tax.

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