How your take-home pay measures up
If you earn the national full-time adult ordinary-time average of $2,083.70 a week, that works out to about $108,352 a year before tax. This figure comes from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026. But what does that mean in your pocket after tax and Medicare?
A resident take-home sketch
For the 2026–27 financial year, a resident earning $108,352 would fall into these tax brackets:
- Nil tax on the first $18,200
- 15% on the next $26,800 (up to $45,000)
- 30% on the next $90,000 (up to $135,000)
- Plus the Medicare levy of 2% on taxable income
A rough calculation:
- Tax on $18,200–$45,000: $26,800 × 15% = $4,020
- Tax on $45,000–$108,352: $63,352 × 30% = $19,005.60
- Total income tax: $23,025.60
- Medicare levy: $108,352 × 2% = $2,167.04
- Total deductions: $25,192.64
- Take-home pay: about $83,159 a year, or roughly $1,599 a week.
That weekly take-home is close to the ABS all-employees average total earnings of $1,579.20 (May 2026), which includes part-time workers. So the average full-time worker takes home a bit more than the average of all employees.
How the average compares to medians and the minimum
The full-time average ($108,352) sits above the full-time median of about $90,532 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). That means half of full-time workers earn less than $90,532, and half earn more. The average is pulled up by higher earners.
The all-employees median is about $74,100 – reflecting the many part-time and casual workers. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, or $52,255 a year on a 38-hour week (Fair Work). Award minimums rose by 4.75%.
State by state
Full-time averages vary across Australia. The highest is the ACT at about $119,090, followed by Western Australia at $115,825. New South Wales sits at $109,658, Victoria at $106,137, Queensland at $106,064, South Australia at $102,450, the Northern Territory at $103,173, and Tasmania at $96,008. These are based on the ABS original estimates for May 2026.
Using a smart salary login
A smart salary login – often provided by your employer or a payroll platform – can show you your exact annual salary and often includes a comparison tool. After logging in, you may see how your pay compares to the national average, your state average, or even occupation medians. It's a convenient way to Place a salary on the line without manual calculations.
You can also explore States and territories to see how your state's average compares. For a deeper dive, check Job medians or Industry medians can show where your occupation or industry sits.
What the figures are based on
All averages are from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026. Medians are from ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025. The minimum wage is from Fair Work, effective 1 July 2026. Tax rates are for 2026–27. All figures are before tax unless stated.
Frequently asked questions
What is a smart salary login? A smart salary login is a secure portal to view your payslips, annual salary, and deductions. It often includes tools to compare your earnings with benchmarks like the national average or industry medians.
How do I use a smart salary login to check my pay against the average? After logging in, look for a section titled 'Salary comparison or market data. You may need to enter your annual salary manually if it isn't shown. The portal can then display how your pay compares to the ABS full-time average of $108,352, or to medians for your occupation or state.
Is my salary information secure with a smart salary login? Reputable smart salary portals use encryption and comply with Australian privacy laws. Your data is stored securely and only accessible with your credentials. Never share your password, and always log out on shared devices.