Accountant Salary in Australia: Awards vs National Minimum Wage
Understand accountant salary in Australia: median earnings, award coverage, and how pay compares to the national minimum wage and salary index.
Accountant median full-time earnings sit at an estimated index of 96, slightly below the national line of 100, reflecting pay negotiated above award rates for most roles.
What is an accountant salary in Australia?
An accountant salary in Australia is typically well above the national minimum wage, but award coverage is limited. Most accountants negotiate their pay directly with employers, as many are not covered by a modern award. The median full-time accountant earns about $2,003 per week, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025). That puts the typical accountant salary at an estimated index of 96, slightly below the national line of 100 (full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week).
Award coverage for accountants
The Fair Work Ombudsman states that accountants working for accounting firms are not covered by any modern award. They are entitled only to the national minimum wage and the National Employment Standards. For accountants employed outside accounting firms, award coverage depends on the employer’s industry and the employee’s duties. Awards that may cover accountants include the Banking, Finance and Insurance Award, Black Coal Award, Electrical Power Award, and Rail Award. The Miscellaneous Award explicitly excludes professional employees, including accountants. This means many accountants are award-free and their pay is set by market rates, not a minimum award wage.
How accountant salary compares to the national minimum wage
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week (annualised $52,255, index 48.2). The median accountant earns $53 per hour and $2,003 per week – roughly double the minimum. Even entry-level accountants typically earn more than the minimum, but without award coverage there is no legal floor above the national minimum wage. In practice, market rates for graduate accountants are often around $55,000 to $65,000 per year, which is above the minimum but below the median.
Salary index for accountants
The Salary Index measures gross annual earnings relative to the national line of 100. For accountants, the median full-time weekly earnings of $2,003 give an index of approximately 96 (2003 ÷ 2083.7 × 100). This is above the all-occupations median of $1,852 (index 88.9) but below the professional, scientific and technical industry index of 114.7. Accountants in mining or finance may earn significantly more, while those in smaller firms or regional areas may earn less.
Factors that affect accountant salary
Experience and seniority
Junior accountants and graduates earn less than the median. With 3–5 years of experience, salaries often rise to $75,000–$90,000. Senior accountants, managers, and directors can earn $120,000–$150,000 or more. The median age of accountants is 42, reflecting a mature workforce.
Location
Salaries vary by state. The states page shows that the ACT has the highest index at 109.9, while Tasmania is lowest at 88.6. Accountants in Sydney or Melbourne may earn more than those in regional areas, but cost of living differences also apply.
Industry
Accountants work mainly in professional, scientific and technical services (35.2%), financial and insurance services, and public administration. The industries page shows that the professional, scientific and technical industry index is 114.7, above the national average. Accountants in mining or finance may earn even more.
Superannuation and tax
From 1 July 2026, the superannuation guarantee is 12% on earnings up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. An accountant earning $104,000 (index 96) would receive $12,480 in super per year. Income tax for 2026–27 (excluding Medicare) is: 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. The Medicare levy is 2%. Take-home pay for a $104,000 salary is roughly $78,000 after tax and Medicare, plus super.
How to research accountant salary
For the most current data, check pay guides from the Fair Work Commission or the ABS. The Modern Awards Pay Database (Fair Work Commission) contains minimum rates for awards that may cover some accountants, but most accountants are award-free. The ABS Labour Force Survey and Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours provide median earnings, but these are published with a lag. The how the index works page explains how the salary index is calculated.
Summary
An accountant salary in Australia is typically around $2,003 per week (index 96), well above the national minimum wage of $1,004.90 per week (index 48.2). Most accountants are not covered by a modern award, so their pay is determined by the market. Award coverage is limited to specific industries and duties. For a full picture of pay across different roles and locations, explore the topics section.
Questions people ask
Is an accountant covered by a modern award?
It depends on the employer. Accountants working for accounting firms are not covered by any award and are entitled only to the national minimum wage and National Employment Standards. Accountants in other industries may be covered by awards such as the Banking, Finance and Insurance Award, Black Coal Award, or Retail Award if their duties match classifications. The Miscellaneous Award explicitly excludes professional employees, including accountants.
How does an accountant's salary compare to the national minimum wage?
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week (annualised $52,255, index 48.2). The median full-time accountant earns $2,003 per week (index 96), which is nearly double the minimum wage. Even entry-level accountants typically earn well above the minimum, but award-free accountants have no minimum above the national minimum wage unless their employer applies a higher market rate.
What is the salary index for an accountant?
Based on the median full-time weekly earnings of $2,003 from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025), the salary index is approximately 96. This means the typical accountant earns 96% of the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings benchmark of $2,083.70 per week (index 100). Actual pay varies by experience, location, and industry.