Prime Minister salary: where it sits on the Australian salary index
The Prime Minister's salary is not publicly listed, but the base salary for a parliamentarian is $239,270. That sits at index 220.8, far above the national line of 100.
The Prime Minister's exact salary is not available from official sources, but the base salary for a parliamentarian ($239,270) already sits at index 220.8, well above the national average.
Prime Minister salary: a public office benchmark
When Australians ask about the prime minister salary, they often want to know how the nation’s top political leader compares to the national line. The salary index, where 100 equals full‑time adult ordinary‑time earnings ($108,352 per year), makes that comparison straightforward. The exact figure for the Prime Minister is not publicly listed in the official determinations we found, but the structure is clear.
Where the base sits on the index
Every parliamentarian receives a base salary set by the Remuneration Tribunal. In 2026 that base is $239,270 per year. On the salary index, that is 220.8 – more than double the national line. For context, the national minimum wage sits at index 48.2, and the average health‑care worker is at 97.8. Even a backbencher, without any ministerial or office‑holder top‑up, earns well above most Australians.
The Prime Minister’s salary is higher still. Ministerial salaries are paid under section 66 of the Constitution and are not determined by the Remuneration Tribunal. The Tribunal does set additional salaries for other office holders – for example, the Leader of the Opposition receives 85% of base salary on top of the base, and the Speaker receives 75%. The Prime Minister’s additional salary is likely a multiple of base salary, but the precise figure is not available from the search results.
How the index works
The salary index divides a yearly gross figure by the national line ($108,352) and multiplies by 100. So a parliamentarian on base salary earns $239,270 ÷ $108,352 × 100 = 220.8. The Prime Minister’s total remuneration – including salary, allowances, and super – would push that index even higher. For comparison, the highest‑paid public office in the Remuneration Tribunal’s full‑time public office determination is the Chair of APRA at $1,004,300 total remuneration, which would be an index of 927. The Prime Minister’s package is likely in that upper tier.
Allowances and benefits
Beyond salary, the Prime Minister receives an electorate allowance of $39,700 per year, a private plated vehicle (or allowance in lieu), and reimbursement of phone and internet costs. Travel allowances are generous: $652 per night for commercial accommodation when the Prime Minister is on official business, and $435 per night for other locations. These benefits are part of the total remuneration but are not included in the base salary figure.
How it compares to other roles
The base salary for a parliamentarian already places them in the top few percent of Australian earners. The Prime Minister’s total package would be among the highest in the public sector, likely exceeding $500,000 per year when all allowances and super are included. That would put the index well above 460. For context, the mining industry average index is 154.7, and the professional, scientific and technical sector is 114.7. The Prime Minister’s role is a unique public office with compensation to match.
Tax and super
Like all Australian employees, the Prime Minister’s salary is subject to PAYG withholding. The 2026–27 tax rates apply: nil up to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above that. Medicare levy adds 2%. Superannuation is also part of the package. Parliamentarians in the Parliamentary Contributory Superannuation Scheme (PCSS) have personal contributions deducted from salary, with an excluded portion of base salary ($49,970) and 20% of office‑holder and ministerial salary not counted as parliamentary allowance for super purposes. Those in the Parliamentary Superannuation Act 2004 can salary‑sacrifice to super. The super guarantee rate is 12% from 1 July 2026, but the maximum contribution base is $270,830.
Why the index matters
The salary index helps you see where any pay figure sits against the national line. It’s a simple ratio: your yearly gross divided by $108,352, times 100. For the Prime Minister, even the base salary alone is more than double the line. The index makes it easy to compare across roles, industries, and states. For example, the ACT has an index of 109.9, while Tasmania is 88.6. The Prime Minister’s index is far above any state average.
If you want to explore how other roles compare, see how the index works or browse topics for more salary benchmarks. You can also check industries to see how different sectors stack up.
A note on data
The figures in this guide come from official Australian government sources: the Remuneration Tribunal (Members of Parliament) Determination 2026 and the Remuneration Tribunal (Remuneration and Allowances for Holders of Full‑time Public Office) Determination 2026. The exact Prime Minister salary is not publicly listed in these determinations, so we have used the base parliamentarian salary as a lower bound. The national line is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026.
Questions people ask
How is the Prime Minister's salary determined?
The Prime Minister's salary is set under section 66 of the Constitution and is not determined by the Remuneration Tribunal. The Tribunal sets the base salary for all parliamentarians ($239,270 in 2026) and additional salaries for certain office holders, but Ministerial salaries (including the Prime Minister's) are paid separately. The exact amount is not publicly listed in the determinations we found.
What is the base salary for a parliamentarian and how does it compare to the national average?
The base salary for a parliamentarian is $239,270 per year, as per the Remuneration Tribunal (Members of Parliament) Determination 2026. This is well above the national full‑time adult ordinary‑time earnings of $108,352 (index 100). The base salary alone gives an index of 220.8, meaning it is more than double the national line.
Does the Prime Minister receive any additional allowances or benefits?
Yes. In addition to salary, the Prime Minister receives an electorate allowance ($39,700 per year), a private plated vehicle or allowance in lieu, and reimbursement of residential phone and internet costs. When travelling on official business and staying in commercial accommodation, the Prime Minister is entitled to $652 per night (for commercial accommodation) or $435 per night for other locations. These benefits are part of the total remuneration package.