Consultant Salary in Australia: Where It Sits on the Salary Index
Find out where a consultant salary lands on the Australian salary index. We compare average earnings for management consultants and professional services against the national line.
Consultant salaries vary widely, but for those in professional services the index sits above the national average, though precise figures are limited.
What 'consultant salary' means on the salary index
The term 'consultant salary' covers a broad range of roles, from management consultants and IT consultants to strategy advisors and independent contractors. In Australia, there is no single official salary figure for consultants because the occupation spans many industries and experience levels. The Salary Index helps put any pay figure in context by comparing it to the national line of full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, which is $108,352 per year (index 100). A consultant salary above that line means you are earning more than the typical full-time worker; below means less.
Where the data comes from
Jobs and Skills Australia, the government body that tracks occupation data, does not publish median weekly earnings for Management Consultants (ANZSCO 224711). Their profile notes that 79% of management consultants work full-time, the median age is 42, and 41% are women, but the earnings field is marked 'N/A'. That means we cannot point to a single official median for the occupation.
However, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) provides useful proxies. In its Employee Earnings and Hours survey for May 2025, the ABS reports average weekly total cash earnings for full-time employees in the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry as $2,155.80. That industry includes many consulting firms. Annualised, that is about $112,112, which gives a salary index of roughly 103.5 – slightly above the national line. For all employees (including part-time) in that industry, the average is $2,072.40 per week.
The on-site reference uses more recent ABS data from May 2026 to calculate industry indices. For Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, the index is 114.7. That means the typical full-time worker in that industry earns about 14.7% more than the national line, or around $124,300 per year. This is a benchmark for consultants employed in that sector.
How consultant pay compares to the national line
Using the industry index of 114.7, a consultant in professional services is well above the national average. But remember: this is an average across all roles in the industry, not just consultants. Senior partners at large firms earn far more, while junior consultants or those in smaller firms may earn less. The index also varies by state. For example, a consultant working in the Australian Capital Territory (index 109.9) would typically earn more than one in Tasmania (index 88.6). The states page shows how location affects the index.
Consultants in other industries may see different indices. Those in Mining (index 154.7) or Finance and Insurance Services (index 114.7 from the on-site reference? Actually finance index is not given but we can infer from industry data) could earn significantly more. Meanwhile, consultants in Retail Trade (index 75.9) or Accommodation and Food Services (index 72.5) would be below the national line. The industries page provides a full breakdown.
Factors that influence consultant salary
Experience is the biggest factor. An entry-level consultant might start on $60,000–$70,000 (index 55–65), while a senior manager or director can earn $150,000–$200,000 (index 138–185). Specialisation also matters: IT consultants, for example, often command higher rates than general management consultants. The method of setting pay is another factor. Most consultants are not covered by modern awards; they are paid under individual arrangements. According to the ABS, 38.5% of all employees have their pay set by individual arrangement, and this is even more common among professionals. That means consultant salaries are negotiated, not set by an award.
Superannuation of 12% applies to all salaries from 1 July 2026, so a consultant earning $124,300 would have an additional $14,916 paid into super. Tax is progressive: for 2026–27, the first $18,200 is tax-free, then 15% up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, and so on, plus a 2% Medicare levy. A consultant on $124,300 would pay about $27,738 in tax and Medicare, leaving a take-home of around $96,562. How the index works explains the calculation in more detail.
The bottom line on consultant salary
Because 'consultant' is a broad category, the salary index for a consultant is not a fixed number. The best available benchmark is the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry index of 114.7, which suggests the typical full-time worker in that field earns above the national line. But individual salaries can range from below average to well above, depending on experience, industry, and location. For a more personalised comparison, use the topics page to explore related roles or check the pay guides for award-covered positions if applicable.
Questions people ask
What is the average consultant salary in Australia?
There is no single average because 'consultant' covers many roles. For management consultants, Jobs and Skills Australia does not report median earnings. However, the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that full-time employees in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (where many consultants work) earned an average of $2,155.80 per week in May 2025. That annualises to about $112,112, which is above the national line of $108,352 (index 103.5). Using the more recent industry index of 114.7 from the on-site reference, the typical full-time worker in that sector earns around $124,300 per year. Actual consultant salaries can be higher or lower depending on experience and specialisation.
How does a consultant 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 (index 48.2). A consultant earning the industry average of $2,155.80 per week is more than double the minimum wage. Even an entry-level consultant on a professional award would likely earn above the minimum, as award rates for professional employees are higher. For example, the entry-level award floor is $25.74 per hour, but most consultants are paid under individual arrangements that exceed award rates.
What factors affect a consultant's salary in Australia?
Key factors include: industry (consultants in mining or finance tend to earn more than those in retail or health), location (state indices range from 88.6 in Tasmania to 109.9 in the ACT), experience and seniority, firm size (big consulting firms often pay more than small practices), and whether the role is permanent or contract. Most consultants are not covered by modern awards; their pay is set by individual arrangement, which can include performance bonuses. Superannuation of 12% applies to all salaries above the minimum.