Why a state or an award can move the figure off the national line
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average published by the ABS is a useful benchmark, but it is an aggregate. Your own pay can sit above or below that line for many reasons, including where you live, the industry you work in, and the award or agreement that covers you. The NRL salary cap is a good example of a specific industry arrangement that sits outside the official earnings surveys.
The national full-time average
According to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026, the average weekly ordinary time earnings for a full-time adult in Australia is $2,083.70. That works out to about $108,352 a year (multiplied by 52 weeks). This is the line that Place a salary on the line uses as its reference point.
The ABS notes that movements in average earnings can be affected by changes in the composition of the labour force, such as the proportion of full-time versus part-time workers, the occupational mix, and the distribution of employment across industries and states.
State variations
Where you work matters. The ABS data shows that full-time adult ordinary time earnings vary significantly by state and territory. For example, the Australian Capital Territory has the highest average at $2,290.20 per week ($119,090 a year), while Tasmania has the lowest at $1,846.30 per week ($96,008 a year). Western Australia ($2,227.40 per week) and New South Wales ($2,108.80 per week) are above the national average, while Victoria ($2,041.10), Queensland ($2,039.70), South Australia ($1,970.20), the Northern Territory ($1,984.10), and Tasmania are below.
These differences reflect the mix of industries and occupations in each state. For instance, Western Australia's mining sector pushes up its average, while Tasmania's economy has a larger share of lower-paying industries. You can explore the full state breakdown on our States and territories page.
Award and minimum wage effects
The national minimum wage, set by Fair Work, applies to employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. From 1 July 2026, the minimum is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week, which comes to about $52,255 a year on a 38-hour week. Award minimums rose by 4.75% in the same annual wage review.
Most employees are covered by an award or enterprise agreement that sets higher minimum rates. For example, the NRL has its own collective bargaining agreement that covers player salaries. These agreements are registered with the Fair Work Commission and set pay rates well above the national minimum. The ABS average earnings figures include all full-time employees, so they capture the full range from award-level wages to executive salaries.
The NRL salary cap context
The NRL salary cap is a league-wide limit on the total amount a club can pay its players. It is not a figure published by the ABS or Fair Work, and it is not part of the Average Weekly Earnings survey. The cap is set by the NRL and its players' union through collective bargaining. While the exact figure for 2026 is not available from the official sources used on this site, it is typically in the range of several million dollars per club, with individual player salaries varying widely.
NRL players are employees, so they are entitled to the national minimum wage and are subject to PAYG withholding and the Medicare levy. However, their earnings are almost always far above the national full-time average. The median full-time employee in Australia earns about $90,532 a year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025), while even a rookie NRL player would earn many times that.
Why the line is just a starting point
The national average is a useful benchmark, but it does not tell you what you should be paid. Your own salary depends on your occupation, industry, location, experience, and the specific award or agreement that covers you. For a professional athlete in the NRL, the relevant benchmark is the salary cap and the collective agreement, not the national average.
If you want to see how your own salary compares, you can Place a salary on the line and see where it sits against the national full-time average, the median, and the minimum wage. You can also explore Industry medians to see how different sectors compare.
Understanding the data
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey is published twice a year, for May and November. The figures used here are from the May 2026 release. The ABS also publishes Employee Earnings and Hours data, which provides median earnings and a more detailed breakdown by occupation and industry. The national minimum wage is updated annually by the Fair Work Commission, with most changes taking effect from 1 July.
When comparing your salary to these figures, remember that the average can be pulled up by high earners, while the median gives a better sense of the typical worker. The full-time median of $90,532 is lower than the average of $108,352, reflecting the skew from high-income earners.
Final thoughts
The NRL salary cap is a specific industry arrangement that highlights how the national average can be a poor guide for certain occupations. If you are an NRL player, your pay is determined by the market for elite athletes and the collective agreement, not by the ABS survey. For most other workers, the award or enterprise agreement that covers them will set the floor, and the state and industry averages provide a useful reference point.
Use the tools on this site to see where your salary sits on the line, and remember that the line moves depending on where you are and what you do.