HR Manager Salary in Australia: Gross Pay, Super and Tax Explained
Understand the typical HR manager salary in Australia, how it compares to the national line, and what it means after super and tax. Based on ABS and Jobs and Skills Australia data.
Based on national data, the typical HR manager salary sits at an index of around 133, well above the national line of 100.
What does an HR manager earn in Australia?
If you’re looking at an hr manager salary in Australia, the most reliable public benchmark comes from Jobs and Skills Australia. Their 2025 data (based on the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours) shows that the median full-time weekly earnings for Human Resource Managers (ANZSCO 1323) is $2,768. That annualises to roughly $143,936 before tax.
To put that in perspective, the Salary Index uses a national line of 100, which is set at full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week (annualised $108,352). An HR manager’s median pay therefore sits at an index of about 133 – well above the national average and comparable to other managerial roles.
How the index works
The Salary Index is a simple way to compare any pay figure against the national benchmark. You take the yearly gross salary, divide it by the national line ($108,352 for 2026–27), and multiply by 100. So an HR manager on $143,936 gives an index of 133. That means they earn about 33% more than the typical full-time adult worker.
Where the data comes from
The median figure of $2,768 per week is from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised for Jobs and Skills Australia. It uses the full-time non-managerial adult-rate population – a group that excludes managers and part-timers to give a cleaner comparison between occupations. The ABS also reports that all managers (including HR) had an average weekly total cash earnings of $2,800.90 in May 2025.
Industry and state variations
HR managers are employed across many sectors. The top three industries are Health Care and Social Assistance, Public Administration and Safety, and Professional, Scientific and Technical Services. Pay can differ significantly by industry. For example, the industries page shows that Professional, Scientific and Technical Services has an index of 114.7, while Health Care and Social Assistance is 97.8. An HR manager in a high-paying industry like mining (index 154.7) could earn well above the median.
State also matters. The states page shows that the ACT has the highest index at 109.9, while Tasmania is lowest at 88.6. An HR manager in Canberra might earn more than one in Hobart, even with the same role.
Award coverage and pay setting
Most HR managers are award-free. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains that human resources managers are generally not covered by an industry award or the Clerks Award because they are managerial or professional employees. Their pay is set by individual contract or enterprise agreement. This means there’s no minimum award rate beyond the national minimum wage ($26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026). In practice, HR managers earn far more.
For junior or entry-level HR roles, the Clerks Award or Miscellaneous Award may apply. But once you reach manager level, you’re negotiating your own salary.
Superannuation on an HR manager salary
From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. For an HR manager on $143,936, the employer must contribute an extra $17,272 per year into super. The maximum contribution base is $270,830, so almost all HR managers will receive the full 12%. Super is on top of the gross salary shown in your contract.
Tax on an HR manager salary
Using the 2026–27 resident tax rates (excluding Medicare), an HR manager earning $143,936 would pay:
- Nil on the first $18,200
- 15% on the next $26,800 (up to $45,000)
- 30% on the next $90,000 (up to $135,000)
- 37% on the remaining $8,936
That works out to roughly $30,000 in income tax, plus a 2% Medicare levy ($2,879). After tax and Medicare, take-home pay would be about $111,000 per year, or $9,250 per month. This is a rough estimate – it ignores HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, and the Medicare levy surcharge.
How to use this information
The median figure is a guide, not a guarantee. Your actual hr manager salary will depend on your experience, industry, location, and the size of the organisation. Use the pay guides and topics sections to explore more. If you’re comparing a job offer, check where it sits on the how the index works page.
What about part-time or casual HR managers?
The median above is for full-time workers. Part-time HR managers earn proportionally less. Casual HR managers (rare at this level) would get a casual loading, typically 25% on top of the hourly rate. The national minimum wage casual loading example is $33.05 per hour.
Final thoughts
An HR manager’s salary in Australia is comfortably above the national average, with a typical index of 133. The role is award-free, so pay is negotiated individually. Super adds 12% on top, and tax takes about a quarter of the gross. For the most current data, refer to the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Jobs and Skills Australia.
Questions people ask
What is the average HR manager salary in Australia?
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time weekly earnings for Human Resource Managers is $2,768, which annualises to about $143,936 before tax. This places the role at an index of approximately 133 on the Salary Index, well above the national line of 100 ($108,352 annualised). However, actual salaries vary by industry, location, and experience.
Do HR managers get superannuation on top of their salary?
Yes. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings. For an HR manager earning $143,936, the employer would contribute an additional $17,272 per year into super. The super guarantee maximum contribution base for 2026–27 is $270,830, so most HR managers will have the full 12% applied.
Are HR managers covered by an award?
Generally, HR managers are award-free. The Fair Work Ombudsman states that human resources managers are typically not covered by an industry award or the Clerks Award because they are managerial or professional employees. Their pay is set by individual employment contracts. Lower-level HR staff (e.g., HR officers) may be covered by the Clerks Award or Miscellaneous Award depending on duties and qualifications.