What is base salary?
Base salary is the fixed amount you are paid for your ordinary hours of work, before any additional payments such as overtime, bonuses, commissions, or allowances. In Australia, it is most commonly understood as your ordinary time earnings – the rate you receive for the standard hours in your job, typically 38 hours per week for full-time employees.
When people ask 'what is base salary', they are usually trying to separate their guaranteed pay from variable components. This is the figure that appears in your employment contract, that your award or enterprise agreement sets as a minimum, and that the Australian Bureau of Statistics tracks in its Average Weekly Earnings survey.
The national full-time average base salary
According to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026, the national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings were $2,083.70. Multiplied by 52 weeks, that gives an annual base salary of about $108,352. This is the figure we use as the line on this site.
But this average is not your salary. It is a weighted mean that blends every full-time worker across all industries, states, and sectors. Your own base salary can be quite different, and understanding why is the key to knowing where you stand.
Why your base salary may differ from the national line
State and territory differences
Where you work has a strong influence on base pay. The ABS data for May 2026 shows a clear spread:
- Australian Capital Territory: $119,090 per year
- 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
These are full-time ordinary time averages. If you work in the ACT or WA, your base salary is likely above the national line. In Tasmania or South Australia, it is likely below. The mix of industries, the presence of public sector employment, and the strength of the local economy all play a role.
Industry and sector effects
Your industry can shift your base salary significantly. For example, the ABS reports that full-time adults in education and training earned an average of $2,197.90 per week ($114,291 a year), while those in other services earned $1,621.70 ($84,328). Health care and social assistance averaged $2,037.20 ($105,934).
The public sector also pays higher base salaries on average. The ABS shows public sector full-time ordinary time earnings of $2,263.10 per week ($117,681), compared to $2,034.10 in the private sector ($105,773). This gap partly reflects the different occupational mix – more professionals and managers in government.
Awards and the minimum wage floor
Your base salary cannot fall below the minimum that applies to you. For employees not covered by an award or agreement, the National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week ($52,255 a year on 38 hours). Most workers, however, are covered by an award that sets higher rates. Award minimums rose by 4.75% in the 2026 Annual Wage Review.
If your award specifies a base rate for your classification, that is your minimum base salary. Many awards have introductory rates that are lower for a limited time, but they must still meet the National Minimum Wage if the award rate falls below it. Enterprise agreements can also set base salaries above award rates.
Medians vs averages
It is also important to distinguish between averages and medians. The national full-time average of $108,352 is pulled up by high earners. The full-time median – the middle point where half earn more and half earn less – is about $90,532 according to the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey for August 2025. The all-employees median (including part-time and casual) is about $74,100. If your base salary is around the median, you are still in the middle of the distribution, even if you are below the average.
How this site uses the line
We set the line at the national full-time average ordinary time earnings from the most recent ABS release. This is updated twice a year, in May and November. When you place a salary on the line, we show you how your base salary compares to that average, expressed as a weekly and hourly figure (based on a 38-hour week). We also show the distance above or below the line.
For a deeper look at how your state compares, see our states and territories page. If you want to see medians by occupation or industry, visit job medians and industry medians. Our guides explain how tax and the Medicare levy affect your take-home pay, and you can read about how the figures are set on our methodology page.
Base salary and tax
Your base salary is your gross income 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
- 45% above $190,000
Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (with possible reductions for low income). Your base salary determines which tax bracket you fall into, but remember that deductions and offsets can reduce your taxable income.
Final thoughts
'What is base salary?' is a straightforward question with a nuanced answer. The national average gives you a benchmark, but your actual base depends on your state, industry, sector, and the specific award or agreement that covers you. Use the tools on this site to see where your pay sits, and remember that the line moves every six months with the latest ABS data.
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