What is a UX designer salary in Australia? A guide to pay, super and tax

What is a UX designer salary in Australia?

When people search for a ux designer salary in Australia, they often want a simple number. The reality is that no single authoritative source—neither the Fair Work Commission, the Australian Bureau of Statistics, nor the Australian Taxation Office—publishes a specific salary figure for UX designers. This guide explains how to think about pay for this role using the Salary Index, award minima, super, and tax.

The Salary Index as a benchmark

The Salary Index sets the national line at 100, which equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week, or $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). If a UX designer earned exactly that, their index would be 100. Earn more and the index rises; earn less and it falls. For example, the national minimum wage from July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $52,255 annualised, giving an index of 48.2. Most UX designers would be well above that floor.

Where does the uncertainty come from?

UX designer is a relatively new occupation. The ABS classifies it under code 242132 (UI/UX Designer) but does not release salary data for that code in the search results available. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database (2026 data) contains minimum rates for hundreds of award classifications, but a dedicated UX designer classification is not listed. This means there is no legally set minimum wage specific to UX design beyond the national minimum wage or a relevant award.

Which award might apply?

UX designers often work in professional services, technology, or creative industries. The most likely awards are:

• Professional Employees Award 2020 – covers employees who perform professional-level work, including design, but does not explicitly name UX designer.
• Clerks—Private Sector Award 2020 – may apply if the role is predominantly clerical.
• Information Technology Industry Award 2020 – could cover UX designers in IT roles.

Because the award classification is unclear, employers and employees should check the award that best matches the primary duties. The pay guides on the Fair Work Ombudsman website can help, but they do not list UX designer specifically.

Using state and industry indices for context

Even without a precise UX designer figure, you can compare against state and industry benchmarks from the on-site reference:

• States: New South Wales index 101.2 ($109,658), Victoria 98 ($106,137), Queensland 97.9 ($106,064), Western Australia 106.9 ($115,825), Australian Capital Territory 109.9 ($119,090).
• Industries: Professional, scientific and technical services index 114.7; Information media and telecommunications (not listed but often higher); Retail trade index 75.9; Accommodation and food services 72.5.

A UX designer working in professional services in NSW might expect an index around 114.7 or higher, but this is a rough guide, not a guarantee.

Gross pay, super, and tax

Let's consider a hypothetical UX designer earning $108,352 (index 100). From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12%, so the employer must contribute $13,002.24 on top of salary. Super is not part of take-home pay but is a valuable benefit.

For a resident taxpayer in 2026–27, the tax brackets are:

• $0–$18,200: nil
• $18,201–$45,000: 15%
• $45,001–$135,000: 30%
• $135,001–$190,000: 37%
• Above $190,000: 45% Plus a 2% Medicare levy.

On $108,352, tax (excluding Medicare) is approximately $24,667, and Medicare adds $2,167. Take-home pay would be about $81,518. If the salary is higher, the marginal rate increases. For example, at $135,000 (index 124.6), tax and Medicare would be higher, leaving around $97,000 take-home.

What about junior or entry-level UX designers?

Junior rates under the national minimum wage order apply to employees under 21. For a 20-year-old, the minimum is $25.83 per hour (index about 47.7). However, a modern award may set different junior rates. Entry-level UX designers often earn more than the minimum, but no official figure exists.

Conclusion

A ux designer salary in Australia is not publicly defined by any government body. The best approach is to use the Salary Index as a reference point, consider the relevant award if any, and factor in super and tax to understand take-home pay. For more context, explore industries and states on the Salary Index.

FAQs

What is the average UX designer salary in Australia?

There is no publicly available average salary for UX designers from the Fair Work Commission, ABS, or ATO. The Salary Index uses the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 (index 100) as a benchmark. A UX designer earning above this would have an index above 100; below this, below 100. Without a published figure, you can compare job advertisements or industry surveys, but these are not official.

What award covers UX designers?

UX designers may be covered by the Professional Employees Award 2020 if their role involves professional-level design work, but the award does not explicitly list UX designer. Alternatively, the Clerks—Private Sector Award 2020 or the Information Technology Industry Award 2020 could apply depending on duties and employer. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database does not show a specific UX classification. Employers and employees should check the award that best matches the job's primary function.

How does super and tax affect a UX designer's take-home pay?

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% on earnings up to $270,830. For a gross salary of $108,352 (index 100), super adds $13,002.24. Tax for a resident (2026–27) is nil on the first $18,200, 15% on the next $26,800, 30% on the next $90,000, and 37% on income above $135,000 up to $190,000, plus a 2% Medicare levy. For $108,352, tax (excluding Medicare) is approximately $24,667, plus Medicare $2,167, leaving about $81,518 take-home. Super is not included in take-home pay.