Where the personal assistant salary sits against the Australian full-time average
If you work as a personal assistant in Australia, your pay is likely below the national full-time adult average, but still above the median for all employees. The most reliable figure for this occupation comes from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, reported by Jobs and Skills Australia. For full-time personal assistants (ANZSCO 5211), the median weekly earnings are $1,832, and the median hourly rate is $48. That weekly figure is about 12% less than the national full-time adult ordinary-time average of $2,083.70 (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026).
How the national average is calculated
The ABS publishes Average Weekly Earnings twice a year, in May and November. The May 2026 release shows that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings (seasonally adjusted) rose 3.7% annually to $2,083.70 per week. Multiplied by 52, that is about $108,352 a year. This is the figure used as the line on this site. It is an average of all full-time adult employees, including managers and professionals, which tends to be higher than the median for many occupations.
Personal assistant pay in context
The median personal assistant salary of $1,832 per week translates to about $95,264 a year (assuming 52 weeks). That is below the national full-time average but above the all-employees median of $1,425 per week (ABS Employee earnings, August 2025). It is also above the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (Fair Work, from 1 July 2026), which equates to $1,004.90 per week on a 38-hour week.
Because 97% of personal assistants are women, it is useful to compare with women's full-time earnings. The ABS reports that women's full-time adult ordinary-time average is $1,934.50 per week (about $100,594 a year). The personal assistant median of $1,832 is about 5% below that. Men's full-time average is higher at $2,181.00 per week (about $113,412 a year).
State and territory differences
The national average masks variation across Australia. The highest full-time average is in the Australian Capital Territory at about $119,090 a year, while Tasmania is lowest at about $96,008. If you work as a personal assistant in a higher-paying state, your salary may be closer to or even above the national average, but the occupation-specific median does not vary by state in published data. You can explore state averages on the States and territories page.
How personal assistant pay is set
Most personal assistants have their pay set by individual arrangement (common in private sector) or by collective agreement. The occupation is not covered by a single award; many work under the Clerks – Private Sector Award or a professional services award. The Fair Work Commission's 4.75% increase to award minimums from 1 July 2026 may flow through to some personal assistants, but the median figure from the ABS is the best guide for typical pay.
Using this site to compare your salary
You can Place a salary on the line to see how your personal assistant pay compares with the national full-time average, the all-employees median, and the minimum wage. The tool shows weekly and hourly figures based on a 38-hour week, and calculates the distance from the average. For more detail on how the figures are set, see How the figures are set.
What the data does not tell us
The median personal assistant figure comes from the May 2025 survey and may not reflect recent wage growth. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026 shows 3.7% annual growth, so personal assistant pay may have risen since the survey. However, no newer occupation-specific figure is available. Jobs and Skills Australia notes that ANZSCO-based occupation profiles will not be updated; new OSCA-based profiles are expected in mid-2026.
Tax on a personal assistant salary
If you earn the median personal assistant salary of about $95,264 a year, your 2026–27 tax (resident rates) would be approximately: nil on the first $18,200, 15% on the next $26,800, 30% on the next $90,000 (up to $135,000), plus the 2% Medicare levy. Your take-home pay would be around $73,000 after tax and Medicare, depending on your circumstances. The tax brackets are: $0–$18,200 tax-free; $18,201–$45,000 at 15%; $45,001–$135,000 at 30%; $135,001–$190,000 at 37%; above $190,000 at 45%.
Summary
The personal assistant salary sits below the national full-time average but above the all-employees median. It is a solid middle-income occupation, particularly for women who dominate the role. For a personalised comparison, use the Job medians page to see how other occupations stack up, or check Industry medians for sector-level data.