Research assistant salary and the national line
A research assistant salary is not a single published figure in the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey. Instead, it sits within broader industry and occupation categories. To understand where a research assistant salary might fall relative to the national full-time average, we need to look at the available benchmarks: the national average, medians, state averages, and award minimums.
National full-time average
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026 reports full-time adult ordinary-time earnings at $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year when multiplied by 52. This is the line used on this site. Men’s full-time ordinary-time average is about $113,412 per year; women’s is about $100,594. Research assistant roles are often held by early-career academics, and the gender composition can influence where a particular role sits relative to these averages.
Medians provide a different view
The ABS Employee Earnings survey (August 2025) gives a full-time median of about $90,532 per year and an all-employees median of about $74,100 per year. Medians are less affected by very high earners than averages. A research assistant salary is likely to be below the full-time average but could be above or below the full-time median depending on experience, location, and the specific employer.
State averages matter
Research assistant pay can vary by state. The on-site notes give state full-time averages derived from the ABS:
- New South Wales: about $109,658
- Victoria: about $106,137
- Queensland: about $106,064
- South Australia: about $102,450
- Western Australia: about $115,825
- Tasmania: about $96,008
- Northern Territory: about $103,173
- Australian Capital Territory: about $119,090
A research assistant in the ACT, where the public sector and universities are concentrated, may earn closer to the state average. In Tasmania, the lower state average suggests research assistant salaries may also be lower. See the States and territories page for more detail.
Industry context
The ABS also publishes average weekly earnings by industry. For May 2026, the Education & training industry (which includes universities) had full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,197.90 per week, or about $114,291 per year. This is above the national average. However, this industry average includes professors, lecturers, and administrative staff, not just research assistants. Research assistants are typically at the lower end of the academic pay scale, so their salaries are likely below that industry average. The Industry medians page can help compare across sectors.
Award and minimum wage floors
The national minimum wage 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% in the 2025–26 Annual Wage Review. Many research assistants are covered by the Higher Education Industry - General Staff Award 2020 or a university enterprise agreement. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides for modern awards, and the Modern Awards Pay Database contains the calculated minimum rates. Enterprise agreements often set higher rates than the award, so a research assistant at a Go8 university may earn more than one at a smaller institution.
Putting it together
Because the ABS does not publish a specific occupation figure for research assistants, the best approach is to use the national full-time average ($108,352) as a reference point, then adjust for state and industry. A research assistant in Victoria might earn around $70,000–$85,000 per year, depending on experience and whether they are covered by an enterprise agreement. That would be below the national average but above the all-employees median. In the ACT, the same role might pay $80,000–$95,000. The exact figure depends on the employer’s classification structure.
Tax considerations
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. The Medicare levy of 2% applies before any reductions. A research assistant earning $75,000 would fall in the 30% bracket plus Medicare, giving a marginal rate of 32%.
Summary
A research assistant salary is not a single number, but the national full-time average of $108,352 provides a useful line. State location, industry, and award coverage all move the figure off that line. Use the Place a salary on the line tool to see how a specific salary compares, or explore the How the figures are set page for more on the sources.