Social worker salary in Australia
Social work is a profession that sits across public and community sectors, and its pay reflects both award minimums and market demand. To understand how a social worker salary compares with the national full-time average, we can look at three key sources: the ABS median earnings for the occupation, the Fair Work award rates, and the ABS national average.
Median full-time earnings for social workers
The most recent occupation-specific data comes from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report, as reported by Jobs and Skills Australia. For full-time non-managerial social workers working full-time, the median weekly earnings are $2,172. That works out to about $112,944 a year. This is above the national full-time adult ordinary-time average of $2,083.70 a week ($108,352 a year) from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026. It is also well above the national full-time median of about $1,741 a week ($90,532 a year).
Keep in mind that the national average includes all full-time adults across all industries, while the social worker median is specific to full-time non-managerial employees in that occupation. The median is a better guide for a typical social worker because it is not pulled up by very high earners.
Award minimum rates for social workers
Most social workers are covered by the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (MA000100). The award sets minimum pay rates for classification levels. For example:
- Level 4 pay point 1: $1,774.74 per week ($46.70 per hour)
- Level 5 pay point 1: $2,030.20 per week ($53.43 per hour)
- Level 6 pay point 1: $2,218.02 per week ($58.37 per hour)
- Level 7 pay point 1: $2,398.95 per week ($63.13 per hour)
A social worker with a bachelor degree and some experience would typically be classified at Level 4 or 5. The award rates are minimums; many employers pay above the award, especially in public sector roles or for senior roles. The rates shown are from the latest pay guide published 18 September 2026, applying from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 December 2026.
How the national average affects take-home pay
To see where a social worker salary sits on the line, it helps to see what a resident takes home after tax. Using the 2026–27 tax rates:
- Nil tax-free threshold: first $18,200 tax-free
- 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% above $190,000
- Plus Medicare levy 2% (before reductions)
For the national full-time average of $108,352:
- Tax: $24,288
- Medicare: $2,167
- Take-home: about $81,897
For a social worker on the median $112,944:
- Tax: $25,788
- Medicare: $2,259
- Take-home: about $84,897
The difference in take-home is about $3,000 a year, reflecting the higher median.
Comparison with state averages
State full-time averages vary. For example, the Australian Capital Territory full-time average is about $119,090 a year, while Tasmania is about $96,008. A social worker earning the national median of $112,944 would be above the average in Tasmania and South Australia but below the average in the ACT and Western Australia. This can affect relative purchasing power.
Where social worker salary sits on the line
The national full-time average is the reference line on this site. The median social worker salary of $2,172 a week is about 4.6% above that line. That means a typical social worker earns more than the average full-time worker across all industries. However, many social workers are employed in community services where award rates are lower than the median, so actual pay can vary widely by employer, experience, and location.
For a more detailed look at how your own salary compares, you can place a salary on the line and see the distance from the national average. You can also explore job medians to see how other occupations compare.
How the figures are set
The figures in this article come from the ABS, Fair Work, and the ATO. The national average is from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026. The social worker median is from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025. Award rates are from the Fair Work pay guide. Tax rates are from the ATO for 2026–27. All figures are before tax unless stated otherwise.
Conclusion
A social worker salary in Australia is above the national full-time average, but below the average for men or men in some states. The median is a better guide for a typical social worker. The award provides a floor, but many social workers earn above the award. For a personal calculation, use the site's line to see your own distance from the line.