Average full time salary Australia: awards versus the national minimum wage

What does 'average full time salary australia' really mean?

When you search for the average full time salary Australia, you're looking for a single number that sums up what full-time workers earn. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) provides that number through its Average Weekly Earnings survey. In May 2026, full-time adult ordinary time earnings were $2,083.70 per week, or $108,352 a year. That's the benchmark we call index 100 on the Salary Index.

But this average isn't what most people take home. It's pulled up by high earners in mining, professional services, and management. The median weekly earnings for all employees were $1,436 – much lower. So the average is a useful yardstick, but it doesn't tell you what a typical worker earns.

Awards set the floor, not the average

Australia's system of modern awards and the national minimum wage sets a legal minimum for most employees. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week. That annualises to $52,255 – an index of 48.2. That's less than half the average full-time salary.

Award rates are higher. For example, the Hospitality Industry General Award and the General Retail Industry Award both have rates above the national minimum. From 1 July 2026, award minimum wages rose by 4.75%. Even so, award rates in sectors like retail and accommodation still sit well below the average. The pay guides on this site break down specific award rates.

How the salary index helps compare

The Salary Index is simple: your yearly gross pay divided by the national line ($108,352) times 100. If you earn $60,000, your index is 55.4. If you earn $100,000, it's 92.3. If you earn $120,000, it's 110.8. This lets you see where you sit relative to the average full-time salary Australia.

For example, a full-time retail worker on the General Retail Industry Award might earn around $50,000–$55,000, giving an index of 46–51. That's close to the national minimum wage index. A professional in IT or finance might earn $120,000–$150,000, pushing the index above 110. The average masks this spread.

State and industry variations

Where you live and what industry you work in make a huge difference. The ABS data shows state averages:

• New South Wales: $2,108.80 per week (index 101.2)
• Victoria: $2,041.10 (index 98.0)
• Queensland: $2,039.70 (index 97.9)
• South Australia: $1,970.20 (index 94.6)
• Western Australia: $2,227.40 (index 106.9)
• Tasmania: $1,846.30 (index 88.6)
• Northern Territory: $1,984.10 (index 95.2)
• Australian Capital Territory: $2,290.20 (index 109.9)

See the full breakdown on our states page.

Industry averages vary even more. Mining tops the list at $3,224.20 per week (index 154.7). Retail trade is $1,581.60 (index 75.9). Accommodation and food services is $1,509.90 (index 72.5). Professional, scientific and technical services is $2,389.60 (index 114.7). Education and training is $2,197.90 (index 105.5). Health care and social assistance is $2,037.20 (index 97.8). These are all full-time adult ordinary time earnings. For more, visit our industries page.

What about super and tax?

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% on top of your gross pay, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. So the average full-time salary of $108,352 would attract $13,002 in super contributions.

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

• Nil up to $18,200
• 15% on income between $18,201 and $45,000
• 30% on income between $45,001 and $135,000
• 37% on income between $135,001 and $190,000
• 45% above $190,000

Plus a 2% Medicare levy. So someone earning the average full-time salary would pay roughly $24,000 in tax and Medicare, leaving about $84,000 take-home. But that ignores HELP, salary sacrifice, and the Medicare levy surcharge.

The gap between award rates and the average

The average full-time salary Australia is more than double the national minimum wage. That gap exists because the average includes many high-income earners. Award rates, while above the minimum, still trail the average. For example, a chef under the Hospitality Award might earn $55,000–$60,000, while the industry average is $78,500 (index 72.5). The difference reflects overtime, allowances, and higher classifications.

If you're on an award, your pay is likely below the average. That's normal – the average is not a target. The Salary Index helps you see where you stand. Use it to compare your pay to the national line, your state, and your industry.

Putting it together

The average full time salary Australia is a useful benchmark, but it's not your pay. Awards and the national minimum wage set the floor. The Salary Index gives you a clear number to compare. Check your own index by dividing your annual gross pay by $108,352 and multiplying by 100. Then see how you compare to your state and industry averages. For more detail on how the index works, read how the index works.

Remember: the average is just one number. Your actual pay depends on your award, classification, experience, and location. Use the tools on this site to get a clearer picture.