The National Full-Time Average and Where You Sit
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year, according to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings (May 2026). This figure is the line on this site. Your salary is compared to this benchmark, and the distance is shown in weekly and hourly terms (based on a 38-hour week). However, your actual pay may be influenced by several factors, including your state or territory, the award that covers your role, and any salary sacrifice arrangements.
State and Territory Differences
Full-time average earnings vary across Australia. For instance, the Australian Capital Territory has the highest average at $119,090, while Tasmania sits at $96,008. Other states fall in between: New South Wales $109,658, Victoria $106,137, Queensland $106,064, South Australia $102,450, Western Australia $115,825, and the Northern Territory $103,173. These differences reflect local industry mix, cost of living, and labour market conditions. If you work in a public benevolent institution (PBI) in a lower-average state, your salary may be further from the national line than a counterpart in a higher-average state. See our States and territories page for more detail.
Award Classifications and the Minimum Wage
Many PBI employees are covered by the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (SCHADS). From 1 July 2026, award minimum wages rose by 4.75%. The national minimum wage itself is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week. However, award rates for specific classifications can be higher. For example, a community services worker at a Level 4 classification may earn above the minimum but still below the national full-time average. The full-time median across all employees is about $90,532, and the all-employees median is about $74,100 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). Your position relative to these medians and the average depends on your award level and experience. You can explore Job medians for more granular comparisons.
Public Benevolent Institution Salary Sacrifice
Salary sacrifice is an arrangement where you forgo part of your pre-tax salary in exchange for benefits such as additional superannuation, a car, or other fringe benefits. For employees of public benevolent institutions, the ATO allows a higher cap on fringe benefits tax (FBT) exemptions – up to $15,900 in the 2026–27 year (indexed annually). This means you can reduce your taxable income, potentially lowering your tax and increasing your take-home pay. However, the salary figure you enter on this site is your gross salary before any sacrifice. The site does not adjust for salary sacrifice because it uses the pre-tax amount your employer reports. Therefore, your position on the line reflects your gross salary, not your net income. If you want to see how salary sacrifice affects your take-home pay, consult a tax professional or use the ATO’s online tools. For more on how figures are set, see How the figures are set.
Why Your Pay May Differ from the Line
Even within the same PBI, pay can vary by state due to different award rates or enterprise agreements. For instance, a disability support worker in Queensland might earn a different base rate than one in Victoria, even under the same award. Additionally, the national average includes all full-time employees, including high-income earners in mining, finance, and professional services. PBI roles are often in lower-paid industries, so the average for your sector may be below the national line. The site’s Industry medians page can help you compare your pay to others in your field. Remember that the national average is a broad measure; your individual circumstances – state, award, and salary sacrifice – all play a role in where you sit relative to the line.