Average Salary in Australia per Month: $9,029 National Benchmark
Find out the average salary in Australia per month using ABS data. Compare job offers with the Salary Index and see how your pay stacks up.
The national average full-time adult ordinary-time earnings is $9,029 per month, which corresponds to an index of 100 on the Salary Index.
What Does "Average Salary in Australia per Month" Mean?
When you search for the average salary in Australia per month, you are likely looking for a single number that sums up what full-time workers typically earn. The most reliable source is the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Average Weekly Earnings survey. For full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, the national figure is $2,083.70 per week. Multiply by 52 weeks and divide by 12 months, and you get $9,029 per month – an annualised $108,352. This is the national line on the Salary Index, set at 100.
But averages can hide a lot. Men earn $9,451 per month on average, while women earn $8,383 per month. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, which works out to about $4,354 per month for a full-time worker – an index of just 48.2. So the "average" is more than double the minimum.
Using the Salary Index to Compare Job Offers
The how the index works page explains the simple formula: take the yearly gross salary, divide by $108,352, and multiply by 100. That gives you a number that instantly shows where an offer sits against the national line. For example:
- A retail job paying $55,000 per year: index = 50.8 (well below average)
- A professional role paying $120,000 per year: index = 110.8 (above average)
- A mining job paying $160,000 per year: index = 147.7 (well above average)
When reading a job ad, look for the annual or monthly salary. If the ad says "$7,500 per month", that is about $90,000 per year, index 83.1. If it says "$10,000 per month", that is $120,000 per year, index 110.8. The pay guides on this site can help you understand award rates and minimums for specific industries.
State and Industry Variations
Where you live and what you do matter a lot. The states page shows that the ACT has the highest average at $9,924 per month (index 109.9), while Tasmania is lowest at $8,001 per month (index 88.6). Western Australia is also above the national line at $9,652 per month (index 106.9).
Industries vary even more. The industries page lists Mining at $13,970 per month (index 154.7) and Retail trade at $6,853 per month (index 75.9). Accommodation and food services is $6,546 per month (index 72.5). So a job ad in mining might look very attractive compared to one in retail, but you also need to consider location, hours, and conditions.
What to Look for in a Job Ad
When comparing offers, don't just look at the monthly figure. Check if the salary is base or total package. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12%, so a $100,000 base salary means an extra $12,000 into super. Some ads quote a total package including super. Also check if the role is award-covered. Modern awards set minimum pay rates that are often higher than the national minimum wage. For example, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, but many awards have rates above $30 per hour for experienced workers.
Casual roles include a loading of 25% (so $33.05 per hour on the minimum). Junior rates apply for workers under 21, ranging from $9.73 per hour (under 16) to $25.83 per hour (20 years). Always verify the correct classification under the relevant award.
Estimating Take-Home Pay
Your monthly take-home pay will be less than the gross figure due to tax and the Medicare levy (2%). For a resident earning the national average of $9,029 per month ($108,352 per year), the estimated tax for 2026–27 is roughly $23,024 plus Medicare of $2,167, leaving about $83,161 per year or $6,930 per month. This ignores HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, or the Medicare levy surcharge. Use the topics section for more on tax and super.
Putting It All Together
The average salary in Australia per month is a useful starting point, but it is not a target or a guarantee. When you read a job ad, compare the offered salary to the national line using the index. Consider the industry, state, award coverage, and whether super is included. The Salary Index, pay guides, states, and industries pages give you the tools to make an informed decision. Remember that the national average is based on full-time adult ordinary-time earnings – your situation may be different, and that's okay.
Questions people ask
What is the average salary in Australia per month for full-time workers?
Based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics Average Weekly Earnings (May 2026), full-time adult ordinary-time earnings are $2,083.70 per week. That works out to about $9,029 per month (annualised $108,352). This figure is the national benchmark, set at an index of 100 on the Salary Index. Men average $9,451 per month, women $8,383 per month.
How do I compare a job offer to the national average monthly salary?
Take the annual salary from the job ad and divide it by $108,352, then multiply by 100. For example, an $80,000 salary gives an index of 73.8, meaning it is about 26% below the national average. A $120,000 salary gives an index of 110.8. You can also compare monthly: if the ad quotes a monthly figure, divide by $9,029 and multiply by 100. Remember to check whether superannuation (12%) is included or extra.
Does the average salary in Australia per month include superannuation?
No. The ABS average weekly earnings figures are gross ordinary-time earnings before super. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% on top of the base salary (up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830). When reading a job ad, check if the salary is 'base plus super' or 'total package'. The national average of $9,029 per month is base salary only.