How the average UK salary compares to Australian earnings using the Salary Index
Wondering how the average UK salary stacks up against Australian pay? We explain the Salary Index benchmark and what gross pay, super, and tax mean for comparison.
The search did not return a current official UK salary figure from Australian sources, so a precise index position is uncertain.
What is the average UK salary and how does it compare to Australia?
If you are looking up "average uk salary" from Australia, you are probably trying to work out whether your pay would be higher or lower if you moved, or how a UK offer stacks up against local rates. The short answer is that the official Australian sources we searched—the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Fair Work Commission, and the ATO—do not publish a current average UK salary figure. Commonly cited estimates from UK sources put the average around £35,000–£40,000 per year, but we cannot verify that from the data used here.
What we can do is explain how the Salary Index works, so you can make your own comparison once you have a reliable UK number.
The Australian benchmark: index 100
The Salary Index sets 100 as the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, that figure was $2,083.70 per week in May 2026, which annualises to $108,352. This is gross pay before tax and before the 12% superannuation guarantee. Men average $2,181 per week (index 104.7), women $1,934.50 (index 92.8).
If you have a UK salary in pounds, convert it to Australian dollars at the current exchange rate, then divide by $108,352 and multiply by 100. For instance, £35,000 at an exchange rate of 1.85 gives about $64,750, which would be an index of roughly 60. That is below the national line, but still above the national minimum wage index of 48.2.
Gross pay, super, and tax: what to factor in
When comparing salaries across countries, you need to look beyond the gross figure. In Australia, the super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, paid by the employer on top of your salary. That means a $100,000 salary actually costs the employer $112,000, and you get $12,000 contributed to your super fund. The UK has a similar system with employer pension contributions, but the rates and rules differ.
Tax is another big difference. Australian resident tax for 2026–27 is:
- 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. The UK uses different bands and also charges National Insurance. Your take-home pay will vary, so compare gross figures first, then apply each country's tax system.
State and industry benchmarks
If you are moving to a specific part of Australia, the index varies by state. The states page shows:
- ACT: 109.9 ($119,090 annualised)
- WA: 106.9 ($115,825)
- NSW: 101.2 ($109,658)
- VIC: 98.0 ($106,137)
- QLD: 97.9 ($106,064)
- SA: 94.6 ($102,450)
- NT: 95.2 ($103,173)
- TAS: 88.6 ($96,008)
Industry also matters. Industries like mining (index 154.7) pay well above the national line, while retail (75.9) and accommodation and food services (72.5) pay below. If your UK job is in a field like professional services (index 114.7) or education (105.5), the comparison may be more favourable.
Using the index for a UK salary
To get a meaningful comparison, you need a reliable UK salary figure. The Office for National Statistics publishes median and mean earnings for the UK. Once you have that in GBP, convert to AUD and compare to the Australian benchmark. Remember that the index is a gross ordinary-time benchmark, not a quote for a specific job or award classification. Modern awards and enterprise agreements can pay more than the national minimum wage.
If you are negotiating a move, also consider the cost of living. A higher index in Australia might be offset by higher housing costs in cities like Sydney or Melbourne. The Salary Index is a starting point for pay comparisons, not a full cost-of-living tool.
What about the national minimum wage?
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week, annualised to $52,255. That gives an index of 48.2. The UK national living wage for over-23s is currently around £11.44 per hour (as of April 2026), which at 40 hours per week annualises to about £23,795, or roughly $44,000 AUD at current rates—an index of about 41. So the Australian minimum wage floor is higher in index terms.
Final thoughts
Without an official Australian source for the average UK salary, we cannot give you a precise index number. But the framework is here: convert to AUD, divide by $108,352, multiply by 100. Then factor in super, tax, and where you will live and work. For more on how the index is calculated, see how the index works. For industry-specific guides, check the pay guides section.
Remember: the index is a benchmark, not a guarantee. Your actual pay will depend on your award, agreement, experience, and negotiation.
Questions people ask
How do I compare a UK salary to Australian pay using the Salary Index?
First convert the UK salary from GBP to AUD using the current exchange rate. Then divide that annual figure by the Australian benchmark of $108,352 (full-time adult ordinary-time earnings) and multiply by 100. For example, a £35,000 salary converted to roughly $65,000 would give an index of about 60. Remember this is gross pay before tax and super.
Does the Australian Salary Index include superannuation?
No. The index is based on gross ordinary-time earnings before super. The super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, paid on top of your salary. When comparing UK salaries, note that UK employers may also pay pension contributions, but the structure differs. For a true comparison, consider total remuneration including super.
How does Australian tax affect the comparison with UK salaries?
Australian resident tax for 2026–27 is progressive: nil up to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above. Plus a 2% Medicare levy. The UK has its own tax bands and National Insurance. After-tax income will differ, so compare gross figures first, then apply each country's tax system for net pay.