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Optical Dispenser Salary: How It Compares to the Australian Full-Time Average

The ABS does not publish a median weekly earnings figure for optical dispensers, so a precise comparison to the national full-time average is not possible.

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

Optical Dispenser Salary and the National Full-Time Average

Optical dispensers interpret prescriptions, fit and service spectacles and lenses, and advise customers on frame choices. It is a skilled trade within the Technicians and Trades Workers group, but one for which official earnings data is scarce. This article examines where an optical dispenser salary sits against the Australian full-time average, using the most recent ABS and Jobs and Skills Australia data.

The National Full-Time Average Benchmark

The ABS Average Weekly Earnings report for May 2026 puts full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings at $2,083.70. That works out to about $108,352 a year on a 38-hour week. This is the figure used by Average line as the national line. For context, the full-time median weekly earnings are lower, at about $1,741 (ABS Employee earnings, August 2025), and the all-employees median is $1,425 per week. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week.

What the Official Data Says About Optical Dispensers

Jobs and Skills Australia provides a profile for optical dispensers (ANZSCO 399913) based on the 2021 Census and the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours. The profile shows:

  • Employment: 6,200 workers
  • Part-time share: 66%
  • Female share: 79%
  • Median age: 35 years
  • Average full-time hours per week: 39 hours (compared to 44 hours for all occupations)

Crucially, the median weekly earnings field is listed as N/A. The ABS does not publish a median earnings figure for this 6-digit occupation because the sample size is too small to produce a reliable estimate. This means there is no official public figure for an optical dispenser salary.

Where Pay Likely Sits Relative to the Average

Without a published figure, we can draw on the occupation's characteristics. A 66% part-time share and 79% female workforce are both associated with lower average earnings. The all-employees median of $1,425 per week (ABS Employee earnings, August 2025) may be a more realistic benchmark for many optical dispensers, especially those working part-time hours. Even full-time optical dispensers may earn below the national full-time average of $2,083.70, given that the occupation's average full-time hours (39) are below the all-occupations average (44) and the role is not typically a high-paying profession.

Award coverage also matters. Optical dispensers are likely covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award or a similar instrument. From 1 July 2026, award minimum wages increased by 4.75%, and the national minimum wage rose to $26.44 per hour. Entry-level optical dispensers may earn close to award rates, while experienced or managerial staff may earn above.

State-by-State Context

The national full-time average masks significant variation across states and territories. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026 gives these full-time adult ordinary time earnings by state:

  • New South Wales: $2,108.80 per week (~$109,658 per year)
  • Victoria: $2,041.10 (~$106,137)
  • Queensland: $2,039.70 (~$106,064)
  • South Australia: $1,970.20 (~$102,450)
  • Western Australia: $2,227.40 (~$115,825)
  • Tasmania: $1,846.30 (~$96,008)
  • Northern Territory: $1,984.10 (~$103,173)
  • Australian Capital Territory: $2,290.20 (~$119,090)

Optical dispensers in higher-earning states like Western Australia or the ACT may command higher wages, but the occupation's part-time nature and industry mix could moderate that effect.

How to Get a More Precise Picture

If you are an optical dispenser or employer looking for a specific salary benchmark, consider these steps:

  • Check the relevant award or enterprise agreement for your classification and experience level.
  • Use the Place a salary on the line tool to see how a given wage compares to the national full-time average.
  • Review Job medians for related technician roles that have published data.
  • Look at Industry medians for the health care and social assistance sector, which employs many optical dispensers.

Summary

An optical dispenser salary cannot be precisely compared to the national full-time average because the ABS does not publish a median earnings figure for this occupation. Based on the occupation's high part-time and female share, it is reasonable to expect that typical earnings fall below the full-time average of $2,083.70 per week. The all-employees median of $1,425 per week and the relevant award rates provide useful reference points. For personalised comparisons, use the tools on this site.

Questions

What is the average salary for an optical dispenser in Australia?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish a median weekly earnings figure for optical dispensers (ANZSCO 399913) due to the occupation's small sample size. Jobs and Skills Australia also lists median weekly earnings as 'N/A'. Without an official figure, it is not possible to give a reliable average salary for this occupation.

How does an optical dispenser's pay compare to the national full-time average?

Because no official earnings figure exists for optical dispensers, a direct comparison to the national full-time average of $2,083.70 per week (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026) cannot be made. However, the occupation is 79% female and 66% part-time, which typically correlates with earnings below the full-time average. The all-employees median weekly earnings in Australia are $1,425 (ABS Employee earnings, August 2025), which may be a more relevant benchmark for many optical dispensers working part-time.

What factors affect an optical dispenser's salary?

Optical dispensers are likely covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award or a similar industrial instrument. Pay rates depend on classification level, experience, and whether the role is full-time, part-time, or casual. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, and award minimums rose by 4.75% from that date. Location also matters: full-time average weekly earnings vary by state, from $1,846.30 in Tasmania to $2,290.20 in the Australian Capital Territory (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026).

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