Save the Children CEO salary: what it means on the pay index
The save the children ceo salary is estimated between $150K and $161K. See how that compares to the national line, super, and tax on the Salary Index.
Based on industry estimates, the save the children ceo salary sits around index 138 to 149, well above the national line of 100.
What the "save the children ceo salary figure means
The keyword "save the children ceo salary refers to the pay of the chief executive officer at Save the Children Australia. According to a SEEK industry estimate on, the estimated salary for this role in the non-profit organisations industry is between $150,000 and $161,000 per year. The current CEO is Mat Tinkler, who took the role in June 2022 after eight years in executive positions at the organisation. His exact salary is not publicly disclosed, so the SEEK figure is the best available public benchmark.
How the salary index applies
The Salary Index sets 100 as full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, which from the Australian Bureau of Statistics May 2026 data is $108,352 per year ($2,083.70 per week). The SEEK estimate of $150K–$161K gives an index of about 138 to 149. That means the save the children ceo salary is roughly 38% to 49% above the national line. For context, the national minimum wage (index 48.2) is $52,255 per year, and the average for health care and social assistance (index 97.8) is about $106,000. A CEO in the non-profit sector clearly earns well above both.
Where the figure comes from
The SEEK estimate is based on aggregated salary data from job ads and employee reports in the non-profit industry. It is not a confirmed figure for Mat Tinkler. Save the Children Australia’s annual report shows 82.1% of expenditure goes to programs, 5.4% to fundraising, 7.7% to administration, and 4.8% to retail. Executive salaries are part of administration costs but not itemised. The pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman cover award-covered employees, but CEO roles are typically award-free and set by contract.
Gross pay, super, and tax
If the save the children ceo salary is $155,000 (midpoint of the estimate), the super guarantee at 12% adds $18,600, making total remuneration $173,600. The super guarantee maximum contribution base for 2026–27 is $270,830, so this is within the cap. For a resident with the tax-free threshold, the 2026–27 tax on $155,000 is:
- $0 on first $18,200
- 15% on $18,201–$45,000 = $4,020
- 30% on $45,001–$135,000 = $27,000
- 37% on $135,001–$155,000 = $7,400 Total tax = $38,420. Medicare levy 2% = $3,100. Take-home pay = $155,000 – $38,420 – $3,100 = $113,480. That is about 73% of gross. Including super, the total package is $173,600, but super is not accessible until retirement.
State and industry context
Save the Children Australia is headquartered in Melbourne, Victoria. The state index for Victoria is 98 (annualised $106,137), slightly below the national line. The save the children ceo salary estimate is well above the Victorian average. In the non-profit sector, CEO pay often reflects the scale of the organisation and its fundraising revenue. The industry index for health care and social assistance is 97.8, but CEO roles are outliers. For comparison, the industries page shows mining at 154.7, retail at 75.9, and professional services at 114.7. A non-profit CEO at index 138–149 sits between professional services and mining.
What this means for job seekers
If you are considering a CEO role at a large non-profit like Save the Children, the SEEK estimate gives a starting point for salary negotiations. Actual offers will depend on experience, the organisation’s budget, and whether salary packaging (common in non-profits) is available. Salary packaging can reduce taxable income by up to $15,900 per year for fringe benefits, plus up to $2,650 for meal entertainment. That would lower the tax bill and increase take-home pay. Always check the contract for super, bonuses, and other benefits.
Summary
The save the children ceo salary is estimated at $150K–$161K per year, giving a Salary Index of 138–149. This is well above the national line and typical for a CEO in a large non-profit. The actual figure for Mat Tinkler is not public, but the SEEK estimate is a reliable industry benchmark. When considering the role, factor in super, tax, and potential salary packaging to understand the full picture.
Questions people ask
Is the save the children ceo salary publicly available?
The exact salary of Save the Children Australia’s CEO, Mat Tinkler, is not publicly listed. The organisation’s annual report shows total expenditure but does not break down individual executive pay. The SEEK industry estimate of $150K–$161K is a general guide for the role in the non-profit sector, not a confirmed figure.
How does the save the children ceo salary compare to the national average?
Using the Salary Index where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year, the SEEK estimate of $150K–$161K gives an index of roughly 138 to 149. That is well above the national line and also above the average for the health care and social assistance industry (index 97.8).
Does the save the children ceo salary include super and tax?
The SEEK estimate is likely base salary before super. The super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, so total remuneration could be around $168K–$180K including super. For the 2026–27 tax year, a salary of $150K–$161K falls in the 37% marginal tax bracket (plus 2% Medicare levy), so take-home pay after tax and Medicare would be roughly $108K–$115K depending on the exact figure.