Salary packaging in the health industry and the national line
Salary packaging is a common benefit in the health industry, especially in public hospitals and not-for-profit organisations. It allows you to sacrifice part of your pre-tax salary for benefits like a car, additional superannuation, or meal expenses. While this can increase your take-home pay by reducing your tax, it does not change the gross salary figure that is used to compare against the national full-time average.
Where the national line comes from
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 a week, or about $108,352 a year, based on the ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026. This is the line on this site. It is a before-tax figure and does not account for salary packaging. Your gross salary – the amount agreed in your contract – is what matters for this comparison. Salary packaging is a separate arrangement that adjusts how that gross salary is paid out.
Health industry awards and minimums
Pay in the health industry is largely set by awards or enterprise agreements. The main awards include the Nurses Award, the Health Professionals and Support Services Award, and the Medical Practitioners Award. From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage 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. Many health workers earn above these minimums, especially experienced nurses, allied health professionals, and doctors. The full-time median across all industries is about $90,532 a year (ABS Employee earnings, August 2025), so many health roles sit above that median.
State differences
Where you work also affects your pay. State full-time averages vary, and the health industry often reflects these differences. For example, the Australian Capital Territory has the highest state average at $119,090, while Tasmania has the lowest at $96,008. If you work in a hospital in Canberra, your gross salary is likely to be higher than if you work in Hobart, even under the same award. This is partly due to enterprise agreements and cost-of-living adjustments. You can Place a salary on the line to see how your pay compares to the national average and your state average.
What the ABS says about industry medians
The ABS publishes industry medians in its Employee Earnings report, but the most recent data is from August 2025 and covers all employees, not just full-time. The all-employees median is about $74,100 a year. For a full-time health worker, the median is likely higher, but the ABS does not break it down by industry in the public release used here. For more detail, see the Industry medians page, which explains how these figures are sourced.
How salary packaging fits in
Salary packaging does not change the gross salary that appears on your contract or on your payment summary. It is a way to structure your pay to reduce tax. For example, if your gross salary is $100,000 and you package a car worth $10,000, your taxable income becomes $90,000, but your gross salary is still $100,000. The national line compares gross salaries, so packaging does not move your position relative to the line. However, it can affect your net income and your overall financial position.
Key takeaways
- The national full-time average is $108,352 a year (ABS, May 2026).
- Health industry pay is set by awards and enterprise agreements, with minimums rising 4.75% from 1 July 2026.
- State averages vary, with the ACT highest and Tasmania lowest.
- Salary packaging reduces taxable income but does not change your gross salary for comparison purposes.
- The full-time median across all industries is $90,532; the all-employees median is $74,100.
For more guidance on how your pay stacks up, visit the Guides section, which covers topics like award classifications and state comparisons.