What Is Salary?
Salary is the fixed regular payment an employee receives from an employer, typically expressed as an annual figure before tax. In Australia, the most widely used benchmark for full-time salaries is the national full-time adult ordinary-time average, published twice a year by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) in its Average Weekly Earnings survey. As of May 2026, that average stands at $2,083.70 per week, which works out to about $108,352 per year (multiplying by 52 weeks). This figure is the line that the Average line site uses to show where any given salary sits relative to the national norm.
Average vs. Median
It's important to distinguish between the average (mean) and the median. The average can be pulled up by very high earners, while the median is the middle value – half earn more, half earn less. According to the ABS Employee earnings survey for August 2025, the full-time median salary is about $90,532 per year, and the all-employees median (including part-time and casual) is about $74,100 per year. These medians give a more typical picture of what most workers earn.
The National Minimum Wage
At the bottom end, the national minimum wage is set by Fair Work. From 1 July 2026, the minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week on a 38‑hour week, which comes to about $52,255 per year. Award minimums (for specific industries) rose by 4.75% at the same time. The minimum wage is a floor; most full-time salaries are well above it.
State and Territory Averages
Salaries vary across Australia. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey provides full-time ordinary-time averages for each state and territory (original, not seasonally adjusted). Using the on‑site figures from May 2026:
- New South Wales: $109,658 per year
- Victoria: $106,137 per year
- Queensland: $106,064 per year
- South Australia: $102,450 per year
- Western Australia: $115,825 per year
- Tasmania: $96,008 per year
- Northern Territory: $103,173 per year
- Australian Capital Territory: $119,090 per year
These figures help you see how location affects typical pay. You can explore more on the States and territories page.
How the Site Uses These Figures
When you Place a salary on the line, the tool compares your annual salary (before tax) to the national full-time average of $108,352. It shows the weekly equivalent (dividing by 52) and the hourly rate on a 38‑hour week. It also calculates how far above or below the average your salary sits, expressed as a percentage. For example, a salary of $90,000 is about 17% below the average.
Industry and Occupation Medians
Beyond the overall average, the ABS publishes median earnings by industry and occupation. For instance, the mining industry typically has higher medians, while retail and hospitality are lower. You can browse these on the Industry medians and Job medians pages. These are medians, not averages, so they give a better sense of typical pay in a specific field.
Tax and Take-Home Pay
Salary is always discussed before tax. The Australian Tax Office (ATO) sets the resident tax rates for 2026–27:
- Nil on the first $18,200
- 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% on income above $190,000
Plus a 2% Medicare levy (before any reductions). So a salary of $108,352 would fall in the 30% bracket, with a marginal rate of 32% including Medicare. The site does not calculate tax, but understanding these brackets helps you estimate take-home pay.
Why the Average Matters
The national full-time average is a useful benchmark for job seekers, employers, and anyone negotiating pay. It reflects the overall health of the labour market and is updated twice a year (May and November) by the ABS. The next release is for November 2026, due in February 2027. For more on how the figures are compiled, see How the figures are set.
Common Misconceptions
- Salary vs. wage: Salary is usually annual and fixed; wages are hourly. The site treats all inputs as annual salary.
- Average vs. median: The average ($108,352) is higher than the median ($90,532) because high earners pull the average up. The median is more representative of a typical worker.
- Minimum wage is not the average: The minimum wage ($52,255) is about half the average. Most full-time employees earn more than the minimum.
Using the Site
To see where your salary sits, simply enter your annual pre‑tax figure on the Place a salary on the line page. The tool will show you the weekly and hourly equivalents, and how you compare to the national average. You can also explore Guides for more insights on salary negotiation and market trends.
Summary
In short, "salary" in Australia is most commonly benchmarked against the ABS Average Weekly Earnings figure of $108,352 per year for full-time adults. This is the line that Average line uses. Whether you are above or below that line depends on your industry, occupation, location, and experience. Use the medians and state averages to get a fuller picture.