The national full-time average salary
The most commonly cited figure for "what's the average salary in Australia" is the national full-time adult ordinary-time average. According to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026, this stands at $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year when multiplied by 52. This is the line that Place a salary on the line uses to show how your pay compares.
It is important to understand what this number represents. It is an average of full-time earnings for adult employees in ordinary time, before tax. It does not include part-time or casual workers, overtime, or bonuses. Because it is an average, it can be pulled up by high incomes. The full-time median – the middle point where half earn more and half earn less – is lower, at about $90,532 per year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). The all-employees median, which includes part-time workers, is about $74,100.
State and territory differences
Where you live can shift your pay well away from the national line. The ABS data breaks down full-time averages by state and territory. For May 2026, the figures are:
- 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
These differences reflect local industries, cost of living, and labour demand. For instance, the ACT's high average is driven by public sector and professional services, while Tasmania's lower average reflects a different economic mix. If you are comparing your salary, it can be more useful to look at your state or territory average rather than the national figure.
The role of awards and the minimum wage
Not everyone is covered by an enterprise agreement or individual contract. Many workers are paid under an award, which sets minimum pay rates for a specific industry or occupation. The national minimum wage, set by Fair Work from 1 July 2026, is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week on a 38-hour week – about $52,255 per year. Award minimums rose by 4.75% from that date, so some award rates are higher than the national minimum.
If you are on an award, your pay is likely below the national full-time average. For example, a hospitality award worker might earn around $25–$30 per hour, while the average full-time worker earns about $54 per hour (based on the $2,083.70 weekly figure over 38 hours). The gap shows how the national average is skewed by higher-paying industries.
Men's and women's averages
The ABS also reports separate averages by gender. Men's full-time ordinary-time average is about $113,412 per year; women's is about $100,594. This gap of roughly $12,800 reflects differences in industries, roles, and hours. The national average sits between the two, but it is not a single figure that applies equally to all groups.
How to use the national average
The national average is a useful benchmark, but it is not a target or a guarantee. Your pay depends on your occupation, experience, location, and bargaining power. To see where you stand, you can Place a salary on the line and compare it to the national average. You can also explore job medians or industry medians for a more tailored comparison.
Remember that the average is updated twice a year – in May and November – when the ABS releases Average Weekly Earnings. The median figures are updated less frequently, from the Employee Earnings survey. The minimum wage is reviewed annually by Fair Work.
Summary
The average salary in Australia is about $108,352 per year for full-time adult workers, but your actual pay may be higher or lower depending on your state, industry, award, or gender. The national line is a starting point for understanding where your salary sits in the broader economy.