Where Your Salary and Wages Sit Against the National Line
When you ask about salary and wages in Australia, the first benchmark is the national full-time adult ordinary-time average. According to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026, that figure is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year when multiplied by 52. This is the line on this site. Your own salary and wages may be above or below that line, and two big reasons are where you work and what award covers you.
State Differences Move the Figure
The national average blends all states and territories. But pay is not uniform across the country. The ABS data shows state full-time averages that can be quite different from the national figure. For example, the Australian Capital Territory has the highest full-time average at about $119,090, while Tasmania sits at about $96,008. Western Australia is also above the national line at about $115,825, driven by mining and construction. New South Wales is close to the national average at about $109,658, while Victoria and Queensland are slightly below at about $106,137 and $106,064 respectively. South Australia and the Northern Territory are also below the national line at about $102,450 and $103,173.
If you are comparing your salary and wages to the national average, your state matters. A job in Perth or Canberra is likely to pay more than the same role in Hobart or Adelaide, simply because the local labour market and cost of living push pay up or down. The States and territories page gives a fuller breakdown of each region.
Award Coverage Can Pull Pay Down or Up
The national full-time average includes all full-time employees, whether they are on awards, enterprise agreements, or individual contracts. But award-covered workers often earn less than the average. The national minimum wage from Fair Work, effective 1 July 2026, is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week, which works out to about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week. That is well below the national full-time average of $108,352. Award minimums rose by 4.75% from that date, but many award rates are still below the average.
If you are paid under an award, your salary and wages are set by that award's classification. Some awards, like those in retail or hospitality, have rates that are close to the minimum. Others, such as in construction or healthcare, may have higher minimums but still below the national average. The gap between award rates and the national average is one reason why the median full-time salary is lower than the average. The ABS Employee Earnings data for August 2025 shows the full-time median is about $90,532, and the all-employees median is about $74,100. That means half of all full-time workers earn less than $90,532, and half of all employees (including part-time) earn less than $74,100. The average is pulled up by higher earners.
How the Figures Are Set
The national full-time average comes from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey, published twice a year for May and November. It covers adult full-time employees in ordinary time, excluding overtime. The medians come from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey, published annually. The minimum wage is set by Fair Work and updated each July. The ATO sets tax rates, which for 2026–27 are: nil up to $18,200, 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above that, plus a 2% Medicare levy. Your after-tax salary and wages will depend on these brackets.
If you want to see where your own pay sits, you can Place a salary on the line and compare it to the national full-time average. The tool shows your yearly salary before tax, your weekly and hourly equivalent on a 38-hour week, and how far you are from the line.
Why the Line Matters
The national full-time average is a useful benchmark, but it is not a target or a guarantee. Your salary and wages are influenced by your industry, your occupation, your experience, and your location. The Industry medians page shows how different sectors compare. For example, mining and professional services tend to pay above the average, while retail and accommodation pay below. Similarly, job medians vary widely.
Understanding where you stand against the national line can help you negotiate, plan your career, or simply know how your pay compares. But remember that the average is just one number. Your actual salary and wages depend on many factors, and being below the average does not necessarily mean you are underpaid. It may simply reflect the state you work in or the award that covers you.
Final Thoughts
When you look at salary and wages in Australia, start with the national full-time average of about $108,352. Then consider your state: if you are in the ACT or WA, you are likely above that line; if you are in Tasmania or SA, you are likely below. Also consider your award or agreement: if you are on a modern award, your minimum is set by Fair Work and may be far below the average. The How the figures are set page explains the sources in more detail.
Use the tools on this site to see where your pay falls. The line is a reference point, not a judgement. Your salary and wages are your own, and understanding the context helps you make informed decisions.