Why Your Pay Might Sit Above or Below the National Line
Every full-time worker in Australia can compare their salary to the national full-time adult ordinary-time average of $2,083.70 a week (about $108,352 a year), as measured by the ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026. But few people earn exactly that figure. Where you live, the industry you work in, and whether you are covered by an award or enterprise agreement can all push your pay – and therefore your super calculation on salary – away from the national line.
State and Territory Differences
The ABS publishes average weekly ordinary time earnings for each state and territory. These figures show clear geographic variation:
- Australian Capital Territory: $2,290.20 a week (about $119,090 a year)
- Western Australia: $2,227.40 a week (about $115,825 a year)
- New South Wales: $2,108.80 a week (about $109,658 a year)
- Victoria: $2,041.10 a week (about $106,137 a year)
- Queensland: $2,039.70 a week (about $106,064 a year)
- South Australia: $1,970.20 a week (about $102,450 a year)
- Northern Territory: $1,984.10 a week (about $103,173 a year)
- Tasmania: $1,846.30 a week (about $96,008 a year)
If you work in the ACT or WA, your salary is likely well above the national average. In Tasmania, it is likely below. These differences reflect the mix of industries and occupations in each state – for instance, the ACT has a large public sector and high-skilled professional jobs, while Tasmania has a higher share of lower-paid industries.
Your super calculation on salary is based on your ordinary time earnings, not the state average. But if your employer uses a benchmark for salary sacrifice purposes, they may refer to the ABS AWOTE figure. The AWOTE for Australia (trend) is $2,084.20 a week, very close to the national average. States and territories have their own AWOTE figures, which can be used when an employee's salary is reduced through salary packaging.
Award and Minimum Wage Effects
Awards set minimum pay rates for specific industries and occupations. From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 an hour, or $1,004.90 a week for a 38-hour week (about $52,255 a year). Award minimums rose by 4.75% in the same decision. If you are paid exactly the award rate, your salary will be well below the national full-time average. Your super calculation on salary will be based on that lower OTE.
However, many award-covered employees earn above the minimum rate due to loadings, penalties, or over-award payments. These additional payments are generally part of OTE and must be included in the super calculation. The ATO provides guidance on what counts as OTE, and employers must ensure they calculate super correctly.
The Role of Industry and Occupation
Industry averages also push pay away from the national line. For example, the mining industry has very high average earnings, while retail and hospitality are lower. The ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey (August 2025) shows the full-time median is about $90,532 a year, and the all-employees median is about $74,100. These medians are lower than the average because high earners pull the average up. Industry medians give a better sense of typical pay in your field.
Your super calculation on salary is based on your actual earnings, not the industry median. But if you are comparing your salary to benchmarks, it helps to know where your industry sits. For instance, a full-time worker on the national minimum wage earns about $52,255, while the full-time average is $108,352. The gap is large, and so is the difference in super contributions.
How the Figures Are Set
The ABS collects data from employers through the Average Weekly Earnings survey. The figures are published twice a year, for May and November. The next release will be November 2026. The ABS also publishes the Employee Earnings and Hours survey annually, which provides medians. How the figures are set explains the methodology.
Fair Work Australia sets the national minimum wage and award rates each year, usually in June. The 2026 decision increased the minimum wage by 4.75% and award rates by the same percentage. These decisions directly affect the pay of about 2.6 million workers.
What This Means for Your Super Calculation on Salary
Your super guarantee is 11.5% of your ordinary time earnings from 1 July 2026. If your salary is above the national average, your super contributions will be higher in dollar terms. If you are on an award minimum, your super will be lower. The ATO requires employers to use your notional salary if you salary sacrifice – that notional salary is often based on the AWOTE rate. The AWOTE for May 2026 is $2,084.20 a week (trend).
If you are comparing your salary to the national line, remember that the line is an average. Your actual pay depends on your state, industry, and award coverage. Place a salary on the line to see where you sit.
Summary
The national full-time average is a useful benchmark, but it masks significant variation. State averages range from about $96,000 in Tasmania to $119,000 in the ACT. Award minimums are much lower. Your super calculation on salary is based on your ordinary time earnings, which may be influenced by where you live and what award or agreement covers you. Understanding these differences helps you see why your pay – and your super – might be above or below the national line.