Finance business partner salary: where it sits on the Australian salary index

What is a finance business partner salary?

A finance business partner is a professional who works closely with business units to provide financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and strategic advice. Unlike a traditional accountant, a finance business partner focuses on forward-looking insights and decision support. The role is common in large corporations, banks, insurance companies, and government agencies.

Because the title covers a range of seniority and industry contexts, there is no single salary figure. Instead, we can use the Australian salary index to understand where a typical finance business partner salary sits relative to the national line.

The salary index explained

The salary index (also called the Salary Index) is a simple way to compare any yearly gross salary to the national benchmark. The benchmark is full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, which the Australian Bureau of Statistics reports as $2,083.70 per week as of May 2026. Annualised, that’s $108,352. This figure is set at index 100.

To calculate the index for a salary, divide the annual gross amount by $108,352 and multiply by 100. For example:

• A salary of $120,000 gives an index of 111.
• A salary of $95,000 gives an index of 88.

The index works across industries, states, and occupations. You can read more about how the index works.

Where does a finance business partner salary sit?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Employee Earnings and Hours, Australia, May 2025 provides useful clues. For the occupation group ‘Professionals’, average weekly total cash earnings were $2,049.60. For the industry ‘Finance and insurance services’, the average was $2,181.20 per week for all employees. When we look at full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate in finance and insurance, the average weekly total cash earnings was $2,228.30 (males $2,452.70, females $2,029.60). Annualising these figures:

• $2,228.30 × 52 = $115,871.60, index 107.
• $2,452.70 × 52 = $127,540.40, index 118.
• $2,029.60 × 52 = $105,539.20, index 97.

These numbers suggest that a finance business partner salary typically falls in the index range of 100 to 120. More experienced partners or those in high-paying industries like mining (index 154.7) could push higher. Entry-level or junior roles may sit closer to the national line or slightly below.

Award coverage and minimum rates

Some finance business partners are covered by the Banking, Finance and Insurance Award 2020 [MA000019]. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides that list minimum rates for classifications under this award. However, the award does not have a specific classification called ‘finance business partner’. Roles are usually mapped to existing classifications such as ‘Financial Analyst’, ‘Senior Officer’, or ‘Manager’. Minimum rates under the award are generally lower than market rates for experienced professionals.

From 1 July 2026, award minimum wages rose by 4.75%. The national minimum wage is now $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week (annualised $52,255, index 48.2). A finance business partner would almost always earn well above this floor.

Most finance business partners are employed under individual arrangements or enterprise agreements. According to the ABS, 38.5% of all employees have their pay set by individual arrangement, and 34.6% by collective agreement. In finance, individual arrangements are common, meaning salaries are negotiated rather than set by award.

State and industry variations

Where you work matters. The salary index varies by state:

• Australian Capital Territory: index 109.9 (annualised $119,090)
• Western Australia: index 106.9 ($115,825)
• New South Wales: index 101.2 ($109,658)
• Victoria: index 98 ($106,137)
• Queensland: index 97.9 ($106,064)
• South Australia: index 94.6 ($102,450)
• Northern Territory: index 95.2 ($103,173)
• Tasmania: index 88.6 ($96,008)

A finance business partner in Perth or Canberra may earn more than one in Hobart, reflecting local labour market conditions. See the states page for more detail.

Industry also plays a role. The professional, scientific and technical services industry has an index of 114.7, while retail trade is 75.9. Finance business partners in mining or professional services tend to earn higher salaries than those in retail or hospitality. The industries page shows benchmarks for all sectors.

Example: estimating a finance business partner salary

Suppose you are offered a role as a finance business partner in Sydney with a salary of $125,000. The index would be:

125,000 ÷ 108,352 × 100 = 115.4

This is above the national line and consistent with the ABS data for finance professionals. After tax (using 2026–27 rates with the tax-free threshold and 2% Medicare levy), the take-home pay would be roughly $89,000 per year, or about $1,712 per week. This is a resident estimate and ignores HELP repayments or salary sacrifice.

If the same role were in Hobart, the local benchmark is lower, but the salary might still be $125,000. That would give an index of 115.4 nationally, but relative to the Tasmanian average of $96,008, it would be well above the local line.

Caveats and uncertainties

No single figure defines a finance business partner salary. The ABS data covers broad categories, not the specific job title. Award classifications are not precise. Actual pay depends on experience, employer size, industry, and negotiation. The salary index is a tool for comparison, not a quote.

For the most current minimum rates, check the Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guides. For broader trends, explore topics on the Salary Index site.