The National Full-Time Average Line
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026 puts the national full-time adult ordinary-time average at $2,083.70 a week, or about $108,352 a year when multiplied by 52. This figure is the line on this site. It is the benchmark for comparing your own salary. But your pay may sit above or below this line for reasons that include where you live and which award covers you.
How State Averages Diverge
Full-time average earnings vary noticeably across states and territories. The on-site notes show:
- 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
These differences reflect industry mix, cost of living, and the composition of the workforce. For example, Western Australia’s higher average is driven by mining and construction. Tasmania’s lower average reflects a larger share of lower-paying industries. If you are comparing your salary to the national line, your state’s average is a more relevant reference point. You can see how your state compares on the States and territories page.
The Role of Awards and Enterprise Agreements
Your method of pay setting also moves the figure. The ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey for May 2025 shows that employees on award-only pay earn an average of $922.20 per week (all employees, all hours). Those on collective agreements earn $1,746.10, and those on individual arrangements earn $1,876.50. For full-time workers, the median weekly earnings are $1,887.00, but the median for full-time women is $1,758.00 and for full-time men $1,994.00.
Award coverage tends to pull pay below the national full-time average. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, $1,004.90 a week, or about $52,255 a year on a 38-hour week. Award minimums rose by 4.75% from that date. If you are paid under an award, your salary may be closer to that floor than to the national average. Conversely, individual arrangements often lift pay above the line, especially for professionals and managers.
Salary Continuance and the Average
Salary continuance (also called income protection insurance) replaces a portion of your income if you cannot work due to illness or injury. Policies typically pay a percentage of your pre-disability salary, often up to 75% or 85%, and may cap the benefit at a multiple of the average weekly earnings. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings figure of $2,083.70 is used by some insurers as a reference for maximum cover. If your salary is above the national average, your policy might still limit the benefit to that amount, meaning you would receive less than your full salary. State averages matter too: a policy written in Western Australia might use a higher cap than one in Tasmania, reflecting the higher average earnings in that state.
Award rates also affect salary continuance. If you are on an award, your base rate of pay is the minimum for your classification. Salary continuance benefits are often calculated on your ordinary time earnings, which may be the award rate plus any over-award payments. Knowing where your award sits relative to the national average helps you understand whether your cover is adequate.
Medians and the Minimum Wage
The national full-time average is not the only benchmark. The ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey for August 2025 reports a median weekly earnings for all employees of $1,425, or about $74,100 a year. For full-time employees, the median is about $1,887 a week, roughly $90,532 a year. The median is less affected by very high incomes than the average. If your salary is near the median, you are in the middle of the distribution. The minimum wage is much lower, at about $52,255 a year. These three figures – average, median, minimum – give a fuller picture of where pay sits.
How the Figures Are Set
The ABS calculates Average Weekly Earnings from a survey of employers. It is published twice a year, for May and November. The May 2026 release shows a 3.7% annual increase in full-time ordinary-time earnings. The Employee Earnings and Hours survey is less frequent but provides detail on medians, quartiles, and methods of pay setting. Fair Work sets the national minimum wage and award rates after an annual review. The 2026–27 review resulted in a 4.75% increase to award minimums. You can read more about the methodology on the How the figures are set page.
Putting Your Salary on the Line
To see where your pay sits against the national full-time average, you can Place a salary on the line. The tool accepts a yearly salary before tax and shows the weekly and hourly equivalents on a 38-hour week, plus the distance from the average. It also compares your salary to state averages, medians, and the minimum wage. Remember that your award or enterprise agreement may set a different base rate, and that salary continuance policies often reference these benchmarks.
Summary
The national full-time average of $108,352 is a useful starting point, but your actual pay may be higher or lower depending on your state, industry, and method of pay setting. Salary continuance cover is tied to your ordinary time earnings, which may be influenced by award rates or state averages. Understanding these differences helps you assess whether your income protection is adequate and how your salary compares to the broader workforce.