What Is the Average Salary in Australia?
If you are wondering what the average salary in Australia is, the most widely cited figure is the national full-time adult ordinary-time average. According to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026, the average weekly earnings for full-time adults is $2,083.70. Multiplied by 52 weeks, that works out to about $108,352 per year before tax. This is the figure used by this site as the national line.
It is important to understand that this is a mean average. It includes all full-time employees who receive ordinary-time pay, but it does not include overtime, bonuses, or part-time workers. Because it is a mean, very high salaries can pull the average up, meaning many workers earn less than this figure.
How Does the Average Compare to the Median?
A more typical measure of what a worker earns is the median. The ABS Employee Earnings survey for August 2025 gives the full-time median as about $90,532 per year. That is roughly $17,820 less than the average. For all employees (including part-time and casual), the median is about $74,100 per year. The median is often a better reflection of the 'middle' worker, because it is not skewed by the highest earners.
The Minimum Wage as a Floor
Australia also has a statutory minimum wage, set by Fair Work. From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, which equates to $1,004.90 per week or about $52,255 per year for a 38-hour week. Award minimums rose by 4.75% at the same time. Anyone earning below the minimum wage is entitled to have their pay corrected. The minimum wage is well below the average, but it provides a legal baseline.
What Moves Your Pay Above or Below the Average?
Several factors determine whether your salary sits above or below the national full-time average of $108,352. Understanding these can help you benchmark your own earnings and see where you stand.
Industry and Occupation
Your industry has a major impact. For example, mining, information technology, and professional services tend to pay above the average, while retail, hospitality, and accommodation often pay below. The site provides industry medians and job medians to help you compare specific roles. A software engineer in Sydney is likely to earn well above the average, while a retail assistant in a regional town may earn below it.
Location
Where you live matters a great deal. The state full-time averages show a clear spread:
- Australian Capital Territory: $119,090
- Western Australia: $115,825
- New South Wales: $109,658
- Victoria: $106,137
- Queensland: $106,064
- Northern Territory: $103,173
- South Australia: $102,450
- Tasmania: $96,008
If you work in the ACT or WA, you are more likely to be above the national average, while in Tasmania or South Australia you are more likely to be below. The states and territories page breaks down these differences further.
Gender
There remains a gender pay gap in full-time earnings. The ABS data shows men's full-time ordinary-time average is about $113,412 per year, while women's is about $100,594 per year. That is a difference of roughly $12,818. Women are more likely to be below the national average, and men above, though individual circumstances vary widely.
Experience and Seniority
Entry-level and junior roles typically pay below the average, while senior managers, directors, and specialists earn above. The average itself is influenced by the mix of junior and senior staff across the economy. If you are early in your career, expect to be below the line; as you gain experience and move into higher-level roles, your pay may rise above it.
Full-Time vs Part-Time
The average salary figure is for full-time employees only. Part-time and casual workers earn less on an annual basis, though their hourly rate may be comparable or higher (casual loading). The all-employees median of $74,100 reflects the broader workforce including part-timers.
How to Use This Information
You can place a salary on the line to see how your own pay compares to the national full-time average. The tool will show your weekly and hourly equivalent (based on a 38-hour week) and the distance from the average. This can help you negotiate, plan your career, or simply understand where you sit.
Tax Considerations
Remember that the average salary is before tax. For the 2026–27 income year, resident tax rates are: nil up to $18,200; 15% from $18,201 to $45,000; 30% from $45,001 to $135,000; 37% from $135,001 to $190,000; and 45% above $190,000. A Medicare levy of 2% also applies, though some people may be eligible for reductions. So someone earning the average of $108,352 would pay tax at the 30% marginal rate on most of their income, plus the Medicare levy.
The Average Is Not the Goal
While the average is a useful benchmark, it is not a target. Many factors beyond your control affect whether you are above or below it. The median is often a more realistic reference point. And the minimum wage ensures a floor. Use the data to inform your decisions, but do not compare yourself too harshly.
Summary
The average salary in Australia is $108,352 per year for full-time adults, based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026. It is higher than the median and much higher than the minimum wage. Your own pay may be above or below depending on your industry, location, gender, experience, and hours. The site offers detailed breakdowns by occupation and industry to help you see where you fit.
For more on how these figures are compiled, see how the figures are set.