What is the average Australian salary? A guide to comparing job offers
Learn what the average Australian salary means, how to use the Salary Index to compare job offers, and where your pay sits against the national line.
The national benchmark for full-time adult ordinary-time earnings is $2,083.70 per week, annualised to $108,352, which sets the Salary Index at 100.
What does 'average Australian salary' actually mean?
When you search "what is the average australian salary", you're likely trying to make sense of a job ad or compare an offer. The problem is there isn't one single number. The Australian Bureau of Statistics publishes several measures, and the one most often cited is full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings (AWOTE). In May 2026 that figure was $2,083.70 per week, which annualises to $108,352. That's the national line we use for the Salary Index – an index of 100 means your gross yearly pay matches that benchmark.
But that number only tells part of the story. It's an average of all full-time adults, not a median, and it excludes overtime, bonuses, and part-time workers. Men averaged $2,181 per week, women $1,934.50. Your industry, state, and award coverage all shift where your pay sits against that line.
Using the Salary Index to compare job offers
The Salary Index is simple: take the annual gross salary from a job ad, divide by $108,352, and multiply by 100. An index of 110 means you're 10% above the national full-time ordinary-time benchmark; an index of 80 means you're 20% below. This lets you compare offers across different industries and locations without getting lost in raw dollars.
For example, a retail job paying $55,000 a year gives an index of 50.8 – well below the national line, but typical for that industry (retail trade index is 75.9). A professional services role at $130,000 gives an index of 120, above the industry average of 114.7. The index helps you see whether an offer is strong relative to its field.
State and territory differences
Where you work matters a lot. The states page shows that the ACT has the highest AWOTE at $2,290.20 per week (index 109.9), followed by Western Australia at $2,227.40 (106.9). Tasmania is lowest at $1,846.30 (88.6). If you're comparing a job in Hobart with one in Canberra, the index makes the gap obvious.
Industry benchmarks
Industries vary even more. Mining tops the list at $3,224.20 per week (index 154.7). Accommodation and food services sits at $1,509.90 (72.5). If you're in healthcare and social assistance, the industry index is 97.8 – slightly below the national line. Education and training is 105.5. These benchmarks come from the ABS survey and are a useful reality check when a job ad says "competitive salary."
What about the minimum wage and awards?
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, annualised $52,255 – that's an index of 48.2. But most workers are covered by a modern award, which sets a higher minimum. Award rates rose 4.75% from 1 July 2026. For example, the entry-level award floor is $25.74 per hour. Casual workers get a loading (typically 25%), so $33.05 per hour. The pay guides on this site break down award classifications.
Remember that the index is based on gross ordinary-time earnings. Your take-home pay will be less after tax and the 2% Medicare levy. For the 2026–27 tax year, a resident earning $108,352 would pay about $24,667 in tax plus Medicare, leaving roughly $83,685. But that ignores HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, or the Medicare levy surcharge.
How to read a job ad with the index in mind
When you see a salary in a job ad, ask: is it full-time? Does it include super? The index uses gross pay before super. The super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, so a $100,000 salary plus $12,000 super is a total package of $112,000, but the index would still be 92.3 on the base salary. Some ads quote total package – be clear which you're comparing.
Also check if the role is covered by an award. If the advertised rate is below the award minimum, that's a red flag. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides award pay calculators. The index is a benchmark, not a legal minimum.
Putting it together
There's no single answer to "what is the average australian salary" because your pay depends on your industry, state, experience, and whether you're full-time, part-time, or casual. The national line of $108,352 (index 100) is a useful starting point. Use the how the index works page to understand the calculation, and check the topics section for more on awards, super, and tax. When you're comparing offers, the index cuts through the noise and shows you where you stand.
Questions people ask
Is the average Australian salary the same as the median salary?
No. The average (mean) salary, as measured by the Australian Bureau of Statistics' Average Weekly Earnings, is higher than the median because high earners pull the average up. The median weekly earnings for all employees in August 2024 were $1,425, while full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week in May 2026. The median gives a better sense of what a typical worker earns.
How can I compare my salary to the average using the Salary Index?
Take your annual gross salary (before tax and super) and divide it by $108,352 (the annualised national line). Multiply by 100 to get your index number. For example, a $70,000 salary gives an index of 64.6, meaning it's about 35% below the full-time adult ordinary-time benchmark. You can also compare by state or industry using the index figures provided.
Does the average Australian salary include part-time and casual workers?
The headline figure – full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings – only includes full-time adult employees. Part-time and casual workers are reflected in other measures like 'all employees average weekly total earnings' ($1,579.20 per week in May 2026) or median earnings. If you work part-time or casually, your weekly pay will likely be lower than the full-time benchmark, but your hourly rate may still be competitive.