What Is a Financial Controller Salary in Australia? Gross Pay, Super, and Tax
Understand where a financial controller salary sits against the national line, including gross pay, super guarantee, and tax implications. Based on Fair Work data.
A financial controller salary typically exceeds the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings index of 100, often aligning with the Professional, scientific and technical industry index of 114.7, but no precise public figure is available from Fair Work sources.
What Is a Financial Controller Salary in Australia?
When you search for a financial controller salary in Australia, you are looking at one of the senior finance roles that sits between a finance manager and a chief financial officer. Financial controllers are responsible for accounting operations, financial reporting, internal controls, and often manage a team. Because this is a senior management position, it is rarely covered by a modern award. Instead, salaries are set by the market, influenced by industry, company size, location, and the individual’s experience and qualifications.
To understand where a financial controller salary sits against the national line, we use the Salary Index from Salary Index. The index sets 100 as the full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year (based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). A figure above 100 means the role pays more than the typical Australian worker; below 100 means it pays less. For a financial controller, you would expect a number well above 100.
How the National Line Applies to a Financial Controller
The national line is a benchmark, not a quote. For a financial controller, the relevant industry index is Professional, scientific and technical services at 114.7 (annualised $124,300). That is a useful reference because many financial controllers work in that sector. But a financial controller in mining (industry index 154.7) would likely earn more, while one in retail (index 75.9) might earn less. State indices also matter: a financial controller in the ACT (index 109.9) or Western Australia (106.9) may earn more than one in Tasmania (88.6) or South Australia (94.6).
Gross Pay, Super, and Tax for a Financial Controller
Because a financial controller salary is typically above the national minimum wage ($26.44 per hour, $52,255 annualised, index 48.2), the role is not directly affected by award minimums. However, some financial controllers may be covered by the Professional Employees Award [MA000065] if their duties align with professional employee classifications. That award sets minimum rates well below market levels, so it acts as a floor, not a target.
Super Guarantee on a Financial Controller Salary
From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of gross salary, paid on top. If a financial controller earns $130,000 gross, the employer contributes an additional $15,600 into super. The maximum contribution base for super guarantee is $270,830 for 2026–27, so earnings above that do not attract compulsory super. Many financial controllers also salary sacrifice into super to reduce taxable income.
Tax on a Financial Controller Salary
Using the 2026–27 resident tax rates (excluding Medicare):
- Nil on the 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
Plus a 2% Medicare levy. For a financial controller earning $130,000, the tax estimate is about $29,467 plus $2,600 Medicare levy, leaving around $97,933 take-home (ignoring HELP, salary sacrifice, or the Medicare levy surcharge).
Where to Find More Information
For award-covered roles, the pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman list minimum rates. For financial controllers, the Professional Employees Award pay guide is the most relevant if the role falls under that award. You can also check states for location-based benchmarks or industries for sector comparisons. To understand how the index is calculated, see how the index works. For other salary topics, browse topics.
Caveats and Reality
No public data source gives a precise median or average financial controller salary. The figures in this article are benchmarks, not a specific job offer. A financial controller at a small business in Tasmania will earn less than one at a multinational in Sydney. The role is often award-free, meaning the salary is negotiated. The index helps you see where a given figure sits against the national line, but you must consider the full picture: gross pay, super, tax, and benefits.
Summary
A financial controller salary in Australia is typically above the national average, often in the range of the Professional, scientific and technical industry index of 114.7. There is no single published figure from Fair Work or the ABS for this specific role. Use the index to compare any salary offer to the national line, and remember that super and tax affect your total package.
Questions people ask
What is the average financial controller salary in Australia?
There is no publicly available precise figure from the Fair Work Ombudsman, Fair Work Commission, or Australian Bureau of Statistics for a 'financial controller' role. The role is typically not covered by a modern award classification, so salaries are market-driven. Based on industry benchmarks, a financial controller salary often exceeds the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year (index 100). For example, the Professional, scientific and technical services industry has an index of 114.7, suggesting typical earnings around $124,300. Actual salaries vary widely by company size, location, and experience.
How does superannuation affect a financial controller's total remuneration?
From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of gross salary, paid by the employer on top of the base salary. For a financial controller earning $130,000 gross, the employer would contribute an additional $15,600 into super. This total remuneration (salary plus super) is often considered in job offers. The super guarantee has a maximum contribution base of $270,830 for 2026–27, meaning super is only required on earnings up to that amount. Salary sacrifice arrangements can also affect take-home pay and super balances.
What tax does a financial controller pay on their salary?
For the 2026–27 financial year, resident tax rates (excluding Medicare) are: nil on the first $18,200; 15% on income between $18,201 and $45,000; 30% on $45,001 to $135,000; 37% on $135,001 to $190,000; and 45% above $190,000. A flat 2% Medicare levy also applies. For example, a financial controller earning $130,000 gross would pay approximately $29,467 in tax plus $2,600 Medicare levy, leaving a take-home of about $97,933 (excluding HELP repayments or other deductions).