What's the average salary in Australia? Full-time earnings, tax, and super explained

What's the average salary in Australia?

When people ask "whats the average salary in australia", they usually want a single number that sums up typical full-time pay. The most widely used benchmark is the Australian Bureau of Statistics' Average Weekly Earnings (AWE) series for full-time adult ordinary-time employees. As of May 2026, that figure is $2,083.70 per week, which annualises to $108,352 per year. This is the national line, set at index 100 on the Salary Index.

Gross pay: what the average looks like

The index works by dividing a yearly gross salary by the national line and multiplying by 100. So the average itself is exactly 100. If you earn $108,352, your index is 100. If you earn $54,176, your index is 50. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $52,255 per year, which gives an index of 48.2. That shows how far below the average the minimum sits.

Men on average earn $113,412 per year (index 104.7), while women earn $100,594 (index 92.8). These are group averages, not individual pay rates. Your own salary depends on your occupation, award, experience, and location.

Super: the extra on top

Your gross salary is before super. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary-time earnings, paid by your employer on top of your salary. For the average salary, that adds $13,002 per year to your total remuneration. Super is not counted in the salary index because the index measures gross ordinary-time earnings only. But it's a key part of your overall compensation. See how the index works for more on what's included.

Tax: what you take home

For the 2026–27 income year, resident tax rates (excluding Medicare) are:

• Nil on the first $18,200
• 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
• 30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
• 37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
• 45% on income above $190,000

Plus a 2% Medicare levy on your entire taxable income.

On the average salary of $108,352, the tax is about $25,756 and the Medicare levy about $2,167, leaving a take-home of roughly $80,429 per year (about $1,547 per week). This is a resident estimate using the tax-free threshold. It ignores HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, the Medicare levy reduction, and the Medicare levy surcharge.

State and territory differences

Where you work changes the average. The states page shows indices for each jurisdiction:

• ACT: 109.9 ($119,090)
• WA: 106.9 ($115,825)
• NSW: 101.2 ($109,658)
• VIC: 98.0 ($106,137)
• QLD: 97.9 ($106,064)
• NT: 95.2 ($103,173)
• SA: 94.6 ($102,450)
• TAS: 88.6 ($96,008)

If you work in the ACT, your pay is likely 10% above the national average. In Tasmania, it's about 11% below. These are averages across all full-time workers in each state.

Industry differences

Your industry matters even more. The industries page lists indices for major sectors:

• Mining: 154.7 ($167,622)
• Professional, scientific and technical: 114.7 ($124,280)
• Education and training: 105.5 ($114,311)
• Health care and social assistance: 97.8 ($105,968)
• Retail trade: 75.9 ($82,239)
• Accommodation and food services: 72.5 ($78,555)

A mining worker earns more than double a hospitality worker on average. But remember, these are industry averages. Individual roles within each industry vary widely.

Putting it together

So when you ask "whats the average salary in australia", the answer is $108,352 per year before tax and super. That's the national line. Your own salary may be higher or lower depending on your state, industry, and role. Use the Salary Index to compare any pay figure against this benchmark. For more on awards and minimum rates, see our pay guides.

FAQs

What is the average salary in Australia after tax? For the average full-time salary of $108,352, a resident using the tax-free threshold and a flat 2% Medicare levy would pay about $27,923 in tax and Medicare, leaving a take-home of roughly $80,429 per year. This ignores HELP, salary sacrifice, and other adjustments.

How does super affect the average salary? Super is paid by your employer on top of your gross salary. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary-time earnings. So the total remuneration for the average salary is $108,352 plus $13,002 in super, totalling $121,354. Super is not included in the salary index, which measures gross ordinary-time earnings only.

Is the average salary the same as the median salary? No. The average (mean) full-time ordinary-time earnings is $108,352, but the median (the middle point where half earn more and half earn less) is typically lower because high earners pull the average up. The Australian Bureau of Statistics publishes median earnings separately. The salary index uses the mean as its benchmark.