Journalist Salary in Australia: Gross Pay, Super, and Tax in 2026

What is a journalist salary in Australia?

A journalist salary in Australia is the gross pay earned by workers who gather, write, or prepare news and commentary for print, broadcast, or digital media. It covers roles from cadet reporters to senior editors, though the most senior editorial positions at metropolitan dailies are often excluded from the award that sets minimum rates. To understand where a journalist salary sits against the national line, we use the Salary Index, where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026).

Award minimums set the floor

The Journalists Published Media Award 2020, administered by the Fair Work Ombudsman, provides minimum pay rates for most journalists. As of 1 July 2026, the award’s minimum weekly rates range from $1,221.10 (Band 1 Level 1) to $2,322.60 (Band 3 Level 13). That’s an hourly rate of $32.13 to $61.12. These are the legal minimums for full-time employees working 38 ordinary hours per week. The award also covers casual employees, who receive a 25% loading on the ordinary hourly rate, and part-time employees paid proportionally.

Importantly, the award does not cover editors, editors-in-chief, or chiefs of staff of metropolitan daily newspapers, nor employees who earn more than the Level 11 rate and exercise significant editorial, artistic, or managerial control. For those journalists, salaries are set by enterprise agreements or individual contracts, often well above award rates.

Where does the typical journalist salary land on the index?

According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time weekly earnings for Journalists and Other Writers (ANZSCO 2124) was $1,722 in May 2025. That annualises to about $89,544, giving a Salary Index of roughly 83. That’s above the national minimum wage (index 48.2) but below the all-occupations median of $96,304 (index 88.9). The median hourly rate was $45, compared to the national median of $47.

The ACMA’s 2021 Census analysis found that half of all journalists earned between $52,000 and $103,000 annually, while 23% earned $104,000 or more. Only 26% earned under $52,000, down from 51% in 2006, showing that journalist salaries have improved over time. TV journalists were most likely to earn $104,000+, radio journalists clustered in the $52,000–$103,000 band, and print journalists were most likely to earn under $52,000.

Gross pay, super, and tax on a journalist salary

When considering a journalist salary, it’s important to look at gross pay, superannuation, and tax together. The Salary Index uses gross ordinary-time earnings before tax and super. Superannuation guarantee contributions are 12% from 1 July 2026, applied to ordinary time earnings up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per quarter. For a journalist on the median $1,722 per week, the employer contributes about $206.64 per week in super, which is not included in the index calculation.

Tax on a journalist salary depends on the income level. For 2026-27, resident tax rates are: nil up to $18,200; 15% from $18,201 to $45,000; 30% from $45,001 to $135,000; 37% from $135,001 to $190,000; and 45% above $190,000. A journalist earning the median $89,544 would pay about $19,347 in tax plus $1,791 Medicare levy (2%), leaving take-home pay of roughly $68,406. A journalist earning $104,000 would fall into the 30% bracket and pay about $24,667 in tax plus $2,080 Medicare levy, taking home around $77,253.

How journalist salaries compare across states and industries

The Salary Index also shows how pay varies by location. For example, the ACT index is 109.9 (annualised $119,090), while Tasmania is 88.6 ($96,008). Journalists in Canberra, where many work for federal media, may earn more than those in regional areas. The industry index for Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (which includes many media roles) is 114.7, while Information Media and Telecommunications (the main industry for journalists) is not separately listed but likely sits around the national average. For more detail, see our states and industries pages.

Factors that affect a journalist salary

Several factors push a journalist salary above or below the median:

• Experience and classification: Cadets start at lower award levels, while senior reporters, producers, and editors reach Band 3.
• Employer type: Major metropolitan outlets often pay above award, while regional or community media may pay closer to minimums.
• Medium: TV journalists tend to earn more than print journalists, according to ACMA data.
• Location: Salaries in Sydney and Melbourne are generally higher, but so is the cost of living.
• Gender: The ACMA found that nearly 30% of male journalists earned over $104,000 in 2021, compared to 18% of female journalists.

For a deeper look at how pay is structured, see our pay guides and how the index works.

The bottom line on journalist salary

A journalist salary in Australia ranges from award minimums around $63,500 per year (Band 1 Level 1) to well over $100,000 for senior roles. The median sits at about $89,544, or index 83. That’s a solid middle-income position, but below the national all-jobs median. Super adds 12% on top, and tax takes roughly 24% of gross pay at the median level. For more topics related to pay, visit our topics page.