Management consultant salary in Australia: where it sits on the salary index
Understand the management consultant salary in Australia and how it compares to the national line on the Salary Index. Learn about typical ranges, industry factors, and state varia
Management consultant salaries vary widely, with typical full-time earnings likely well above the national index of 100, though no official median is published.
What does a management consultant earn in Australia?
When you search for a management consultant salary in Australia, you quickly find that official pay data is scarce. The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish median weekly earnings for this occupation at the six-digit ANZSCO level (224711). That means we have to rely on industry sources and indicative ranges to understand where this role sits on the Salary Index.
The Salary Index sets 100 as the national line: full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week, annualised to $108,352 (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). Any figure above 100 means the role pays more than the typical full-time worker; below 100 means less.
What the data tells us
Jobs and Skills Australia provides a profile for management consultants, but notably leaves the median weekly earnings field as 'N/A'. The profile does show that 79% work full-time, average full-time hours are 43 per week, the median age is 42 years, and 41% are women. The top industries are Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (37.4%), Financial and Insurance Services, and Public Administration and Safety.
The ANZSCO occupation site offers an indicative salary range of $90,000 to $200,000+ for 2025. That is a wide band, reflecting the diversity of roles from junior consultants in small firms to senior partners at global strategy houses.
Where that range sits on the index
A $90,000 salary annualised gives an index of 83.1 – below the national line. A $200,000 salary gives an index of 184.6 – well above. Most experienced consultants in major firms would likely fall between 110 and 150, but without a published median we cannot be precise.
To put it in context, the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry index is 114.7 (annualised $124,300) industries. That is a broad average across all roles in that sector, including many management consultants. If you work in a boutique strategy firm or a Big Four consultancy, your pay may be significantly higher than that industry average.
State and location matter
Management consultant salaries also vary by state. The states page shows the index for each jurisdiction:
- 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)
A management consultant in Canberra or Perth is likely to earn more than one in Hobart or Adelaide, reflecting the broader state wage patterns. However, the top-tier consulting firms tend to pay national rates regardless of location, especially for senior roles.
Awards, super and tax
Management consultants are generally not covered by a modern award. The Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides do not list a specific award for this occupation. Junior or graduate consultants might fall under the Professional Employees Award, but most are employed under common law contracts or enterprise agreements. That means pay is negotiated, not set by award rates.
Superannuation guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, with a maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a consultant earning $150,000, that means an extra $18,000 in super each year.
Tax for 2026–27 (excluding Medicare) is: 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; 45% above $190,000. Plus a 2% Medicare levy. A consultant on $150,000 would pay about $36,000 in tax plus $3,000 Medicare, leaving a take-home of around $111,000.
Concrete examples
Let's look at two realistic scenarios. A graduate consultant at a mid-tier firm earning $85,000 would have an index of 78.5 – below the national line. A senior manager at a Big Four firm earning $180,000 would have an index of 166. A partner at a top strategy firm earning $250,000 would be at 231. These are illustrative, not official.
The bottom line
The management consultant salary in Australia is not a single number. It spans from below the national line to well above it. The lack of an official median from the ABS means you need to look at the specific firm, role, and location. The how the index works page explains how to calculate your own index: divide your annual gross salary by $108,352 and multiply by 100.
If you are considering a career in consulting, the topics page has more resources on career paths and industry comparisons. Understanding where your pay sits on the index gives you a clear picture of your earning power relative to the average Australian worker.
Questions people ask
What is the average salary for a management consultant in Australia?
There is no official average or median salary published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics for this occupation. The ANZSCO occupation site suggests an indicative range of $90,000 to $200,000+ per year, but actual pay varies widely by experience, employer, and location.
How does management consultant pay compare to the national average?
Using the Salary Index (where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352), a management consultant earning $120,000 would have an index of about 111, and one earning $150,000 would be at 138. Most consultants are likely above the national line, especially those in professional services firms.
Are management consultants covered by an award?
Management consultants are typically professional employees and are not covered by a specific modern award. Some junior or less senior roles may fall under the Professional Employees Award, but most are employed under common law contracts or enterprise agreements that set their own rates.