What is the average national baseline salary in Australia? State and industry differences explained

What is the average NBL salary?

The term "average NBL salary" is not a standard statistic published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics or the Fair Work Commission. In the context of Salary Index, it refers to the national baseline line — the benchmark used to compare pay across states, industries, and occupations. The NBL is set at the full-time adult ordinary-time earnings figure from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey. For May 2026, that is $2,083.70 per week, annualised to $108,352. This becomes the index of 100. Any salary can be expressed as an index number by dividing annual gross earnings by $108,352 and multiplying by 100.

How the national baseline works

The index is a simple tool: if your annual gross salary is $80,000, your index is about 73.8 (80,000 ÷ 108,352 × 100). If it is $130,000, your index is about 120. This allows you to see where a pay figure sits against the national line. The baseline itself is not a minimum or a target; it is the average ordinary-time earnings for a full-time adult employee across all industries and states. Men average $2,181 per week (index 104.7), women $1,934.50 (index 92.8).

State differences in the NBL

State indexes show how each jurisdiction compares to the national line. The figures are based on original ABS data for full-time adult ordinary-time earnings:

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

The ACT's high index reflects a large public sector, where average weekly ordinary time earnings are $2,263.10 (public) versus $2,034.10 (private). Western Australia's mining industry pushes its average up. Tasmania's lower index is partly due to a higher share of part-time and lower-paid industries. For a deeper look at each state, see our states page.

Industry differences in the NBL

Industry indexes vary even more widely. The ABS provides average weekly ordinary time earnings by industry for full-time adults. Here are selected indexes:

• Mining: $3,224.20 per week, index 154.7
• Electricity, gas, water & waste: $2,546.00, index 122.2
• Information media & telecommunications: $2,714.10, index 130.3
• Financial & insurance: $2,341.30, index 112.4
• Professional, scientific & technical: $2,389.60, index 114.7
• Education & training: $2,197.90, index 105.5
• Health care & social assistance: $2,037.20, index 97.8
• Retail trade: $1,581.60, index 75.9
• Accommodation & food services: $1,509.90, index 72.5

These indexes are gross ordinary-time earnings. They do not include overtime, bonuses, or salary sacrifice. They also reflect the mix of occupations within each industry. For example, mining includes high-paying roles like drilling engineers and geologists, while accommodation and food services includes many lower-paid hospitality roles. Our industries page has more detail.

How awards and the minimum wage relate to the NBL

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, annualised $52,255 — an index of 48.2. That is less than half the national baseline. Most modern awards set higher minimum rates. The entry-level award floor is $25.74 per hour. Award minima rose by 4.75% from 1 July 2026. Casual employees typically receive a loading of 25%, so the casual national minimum wage is about $33.05 per hour.

Junior rates are set as percentages of the adult national minimum wage. For example, a 16-year-old gets $12.51 per hour, a 20-year-old $25.83 per hour. Modern awards may have different junior rates.

Superannuation and tax considerations

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. So on the national baseline of $108,352, the compulsory super contribution is $13,002.24 per year.

For a resident employee earning the national baseline, the 2026–27 tax estimate (excluding Medicare levy) is:

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

Adding the 2% Medicare levy, the total tax and levy on $108,352 is roughly $27,000– $28,000, leaving a take-home of about $80,000. This is a rough estimate; it ignores HELP, salary sacrifice, Medicare levy reduction, and the Medicare levy surcharge.

Using the NBL to compare pay

To see where your salary sits, divide your annual gross ordinary-time earnings by $108,352 and multiply by 100. For example, a retail manager earning $80,000 has an index of 73.8. A mining engineer earning $140,000 has an index of 129.2. This is explained in more detail on our how the index works page.

If you are negotiating a pay rise or considering a move between states, the index can help you see how the new figure compares to the national line. For example, moving from a job in retail (index 75.9 to a professional role in health care (index 97.8) would mean a significant jump. Similarly, moving from Tasmania (index 88.6) to the ACT (index 109.9) would align with a higher baseline.

Limitations of the NBL

The national baseline is an average, not a median. It is pulled up by high earners. Many employees earn below it. The ABS also reports median weekly earnings for all employees: $1,436 per week (index 68.9). For men the median is $1,674 (index 77.5), for women $1,250 (index 60.0). The baseline is a benchmark, not a target.

Also, the index is gross ordinary-time earnings. It does not include bonuses, overtime, or overtime. It is not a quote for a person or award classification. Modern awards can pay more than the national minimum wage. The index is a tool for comparison, not a guarantee.

For more context, see our topics page.

Conclusion

The average NBL salary is the national baseline used by Salary Index. It is $108,352 per year. State indexes range from 88.6 to 109.9, industry indexes from 72.5 to 154.7. The index helps you compare any pay figure to the national line. Use it to understand where your salary sits and how it compares to others.

If you are an employer or employee, the index is a simple way to benchmark pay. It is not a substitute for award or award advice. Always check the relevant modern award or enterprise agreement for your specific classification.

For a detailed breakdown of state and industry indexes, visit our states and industries pages.