How the national salary Australia average is set
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average salary in Australia is $108,352 per year. This figure comes from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026, which reports average weekly ordinary time earnings for full-time adults at $2,083.70. Multiply by 52 weeks to get the annual figure. This is the line used on this site to compare individual salaries.
It is important to understand that this is an average, not a median. The median full-time salary is about $90,532 per year (ABS Employee earnings, August 2025). The average is pulled higher by high earners, while the median better represents the typical full-time worker. For all employees (including part-time and casual), the median weekly earnings are $1,425 per week, or about $74,100 per year.
Why your state can move your figure off the line
State full-time averages differ significantly from the national figure. For example, the Australian Capital Territory full-time average is about $119,090, while Tasmania is about $96,008. These differences are driven by the mix of industries, public versus private sector employment, and local labour market conditions. The ACT has a high concentration of public administration and professional services, which pay above-average salaries. Western Australia benefits from mining and resources. Tasmania and South Australia have larger shares of lower-paying industries such as hospitality and retail.
If you live in a high-average state like the ACT or WA, your salary may need to be higher to match the local average. Conversely, in Tasmania or South Australia, the national average may seem out of reach for many roles. The States and territories page provides a full breakdown of each region's average.
How awards and the minimum wage affect the line
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week. This is well below the national full-time average of $108,352. Many employees are covered by industry or occupation awards that set higher minimum rates. From 1 July 2026, award minimums increased by 4.75%. If you are paid at or near an award rate, your salary will likely fall below the national average line.
On the other hand, if you work in an industry with strong union coverage or high demand for skills, your salary may exceed the average. The national average includes all full-time adults, from entry-level to executives, so it is a broad benchmark.
Medians versus averages: what they tell you
The ABS publishes both averages and medians. The average is sensitive to very high salaries, while the median is the middle point. For full-time employees, the median weekly earnings in August 2025 were $1,741 per week, or about $90,532 per year. For all employees (including part-time), the median was $1,425 per week. The median is often a better indicator of what a typical worker earns.
When comparing your salary to the national line, remember that the line is an average. If you earn above the median but below the average, you are still doing better than half of full-time workers. The How the figures are set page explains the methodology in more detail.
Gender differences in average earnings
The ABS data shows that men's full-time ordinary-time average weekly earnings are $2,181.00 (about $113,412 per year) and women's are $1,934.50 (about $100,594 per year). This gap reflects differences in occupations, industries, hours worked, and career interruptions. The national average of $108,352 sits between the two. When you place your salary on the line, the site also shows how it compares to the gender averages.
Putting it all together
Your salary may differ from the national average for many reasons: your state, your industry, your occupation, your award coverage, and your experience level. The national line is a useful starting point, but it is not a target. Use the Place a salary on the line tool to see where your pay sits relative to the national average, the median, and the minimum wage. Then explore the state and occupation pages to understand the context.
Remember that averages can be misleading if your circumstances are very different from the typical full-time adult. The ABS data is updated twice a year (May and November), so the figures here are current as of May 2026. The next release will be for November 2026 in February 2027.