Optus CEO salary: what the telco pays its top executive

Reading a job ad and comparing offers

When you see a job ad for a CEO role, the salary figure is often the headline. But for a company like Optus, the actual pay package can be more complex. The keyword "optus ceo salary" is a search term people use to understand what the telco pays its top executive. While the exact figure for Stephen Rue, who became Optus CEO in November 2024, is not publicly available, we can piece together clues from company reports.

What we know from public reports

According to the Australian Financial Review, total compensation for Optus key management personnel (KMP) rose 23 per cent to $18.9 million in the year to March 2025. That includes the CEO, CFO, and other senior leaders. The Guardian also reported that Optus paid millions to executives while paying no company tax in Australia. These figures give a sense of scale, but they don't break out the CEO's individual pay.

Optus's own executive profiles list Stephen Rue as CEO and Michael Venter as CFO, but no salary figures are shown. So the "optus ceo salary" remains opaque to the public.

How the Salary Index helps

The Salary Index uses a simple benchmark: the national line of 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, which from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings (May 2026) is $2,083.70 per week, annualised to $108,352. If we had a precise Optus CEO salary, we could divide it by $108,352 and multiply by 100 to get an index figure. For example, a CEO earning $2 million would have an index of 1,846. That's far above the national minimum wage index of 48.2 ($52,255 annualised).

But because the exact figure is not public, we can only say that the total KMP pool of $18.9 million suggests the CEO's share is likely in the millions, placing it well above the national average.

Comparing offers with other industries

When comparing a CEO salary to other roles, it helps to look at industry benchmarks. For instance, [Mining index 154.7 for mining; Retail trade index 75.9; Professional, scientific and technical index 114.9; Education and training index 105.5. A CEO in those industries would be far above those levels.

Tax and super considerations

A CEO salary is paid as gross ordinary-time earnings. Super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, but for high earners above the maximum contribution base of $270,830, the employer contribution is capped. For a CEO earning millions, the super is a small fraction. Tax rates for 2026–27: nil up to $18,200, 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, 45% above. Medicare levy 2%. A CEO would be in the top bracket.

Reading a job ad

When you see a job ad for a CEO role, look for the total remuneration package (TRP). That includes base salary, super, bonuses, and other benefits. The ad may not break it down. Use the Salary Index to compare against national averages. For example, if the ad says "$500,000 TRP", that's an index of 461. That's high but not unusual for a large company.

Conclusion

The "optus ceo salary" is not publicly disclosed, but the total executive pay pool gives a hint. When comparing offers, always consider the full package and use the index to see where it sits against the national line. For more on how pay works across states and industries, check out our guides.