Understanding your salary package
When you hear the term 'salary package', it refers to the total value of what an employer offers you in exchange for your work. This goes beyond your base salary and includes superannuation, bonuses, and any non-cash benefits. At Average line, we focus on the national full-time adult ordinary-time average as a benchmark. That figure is $108,352 per year, based on the ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026.
Where your salary package sits
Because 'salary package' is not a specific occupation or role, we don't have a precise figure in our index. Instead, you can compare your total remuneration against the full-time average. If your package includes superannuation (currently 11.5% on top of base salary), the total may be higher than the average weekly earnings figure, which typically excludes super. For example, a base salary of $100,000 plus 11.5% super gives a package of $111,500, which is above the national average.
Benchmarks to consider
The ABS also publishes medians. The full-time median is $90,532 per year, and the all-employees median is $74,100 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). These are useful if your package is closer to typical earnings. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week (Fair Work). A salary package should always exceed this minimum.
State averages vary. For instance, the full-time average in New South Wales is $109,658, in Victoria $106,137, and in Western Australia $115,825. If your package is offered in a particular state, compare it to that state's average.
Tax and your package
Your salary package is taxed according to the 2026–27 resident tax rates: nil on the first $18,200, then 15% up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, 37% up to $190,000, and 45% above that. Plus a 2% Medicare levy. The after-tax value of your package depends on how it is structured—some benefits may be taxed differently.
How to use this information
To see where your salary package stands, place a salary on the line and compare it to the national average. You can also explore how the figures are set to understand the sources behind the benchmarks. For more context on different roles and industries, visit our guides.
Remember, a salary package is more than just the base number. Consider all components—super, bonuses, leave, and perks—when evaluating an offer. The national full-time average is a useful starting point, but your personal circumstances and location matter too.