The National Full-Time Average as Your Salary Benchmark
When you ask for a salary expectations answer, the most useful starting point is the national full-time adult average ordinary-time earnings. According to the ABS, this figure stood at $2,083.70 per week in May 2026. Multiplied by 52 weeks, that gives an annual salary of about $108,352 before tax. This is the line that Average line uses as its reference point.
How the Average Is Calculated
The ABS surveys employers to collect the gross earnings of full-time adults who have been with their employer for at least one year. The figure is ordinary-time earnings – it excludes overtime, bonuses, and other irregular payments. That makes it a clean measure of base pay. The survey is released twice a year, for May and November. The May 2026 release showed an annual increase of 3.7% in seasonally adjusted terms.
Medians vs Averages
The average can be pulled up by very high earners. For a more typical salary, look at the median. The ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey for August 2025 reported a median weekly earnings of $1,436 for all employees, or about $74,672 a year. For full-time employees, the median was $1,887 per week, or about $98,124 a year. The site's on‑site notes give a full‑time median of about $90,532 and an all‑employees median of about $74,100. These medians are lower than the average, which is typical for a right‑skewed distribution.
The Minimum Wage and Award Rates
Fair Work sets the national minimum wage. From 1 July 2026, it is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38‑hour week, which works out to about $52,255 a year. Award minimums rose by 4.75% at the same time. If your salary expectations answer is below this level, you may be entitled to a higher rate under an award or the National Employment Standards.
State-by-State Variations
Where you work matters. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings release includes state breakdowns. The on‑site notes show the following full‑time annual averages:
- New South Wales: $109,658
- Victoria: $106,137
- Queensland: $106,064
- South Australia: $102,450
- Western Australia: $115,825
- Tasmania: $96,008
- Northern Territory: $103,173
- Australian Capital Territory: $119,090
These are derived from the weekly figures in the May 2026 release. The ACT and Western Australia sit well above the national average, while Tasmania is below. For a detailed look at each state, visit the States and territories page.
Take-Home Pay After Tax and Medicare
A salary expectations answer is incomplete without considering what you actually keep. For the 2026–27 financial year, the ATO tax rates for residents are:
- Nil on the first $18,200
- 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
- 30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
- 37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
- 45% on income above $190,000
Plus a 2% Medicare levy (with possible reductions for low earners).
On the national average of $108,352, your tax would be:
- $0 on first $18,200
- 15% on $26,800 = $4,020
- 30% on $63,352 = $19,005.60
- Total tax: $23,025.60
- Medicare levy: $2,167.04
- Total deductions: about $25,193
- Take-home: about $83,159 per year, or $1,599 per week.
This is a rough estimate. Your actual tax may vary depending on offsets, deductions, and your residency status.
Putting Your Salary Expectations in Context
Your salary expectations answer should be informed by the average, but also by your industry, occupation, and experience. The ABS Employee Earnings survey provides median hourly earnings by occupation: Managers $69.20, Professionals $64.50, Technicians and Trades Workers $46.50, and so on. Use the Job medians page to find your occupation’s typical pay. Similarly, industry medians are available on the Industry medians page.
If you are comparing a job offer, remember that the average includes public sector workers, who tend to earn more on average ($2,263.10 per week in May 2026) than private sector workers ($2,034.10). The public sector average is about $117,681 a year, while the private sector average is about $105,773.
Finally, remember that the average is a snapshot. It changes every six months. The next release will be for November 2026, due in February 2027. Keep your salary expectations answer current by checking back regularly.
For more guidance on how these figures are set, see How the figures are set. And if you want to place your own salary on the line, use the Place a salary on the line tool.