Office Manager Salary in Australia: Gross Pay, Super, and Tax
What does an office manager earn in Australia? We look at median pay, the salary index, superannuation, and tax on $89,960 a year.
Based on the latest Jobs and Skills Australia data, the median full-time office manager salary sits around $89,960 a year, or an index of 83 against the national line of $108,352.
What is an office manager salary in Australia?
If you’re looking at an office manager salary in Australia, the most reliable public figure comes from Jobs and Skills Australia. Their latest data shows a median full-time weekly earnings of $1,730 for Office Managers (ANZSCO 5121). That annualises to about $89,960 before tax. On the Salary Index, where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352, that puts the office manager at index 83 — roughly 17% below the national line.
But that number comes with a few important caveats. The $1,730 is a standardised median calculated for full-time non-managerial adult employees. It’s designed to let you compare occupations on a like-for-like basis, but it excludes managers and part-timers. So while it’s the best public benchmark we have, your actual pay could be higher or lower depending on the industry, the award, and your experience.
Where do office managers work?
Office managers are spread across almost every industry. The top three by employment share are:
- Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
- Health Care and Social Assistance
- Construction
That mix matters for pay. An office manager in a law firm or engineering consultancy (professional services) is likely to earn more than one in a small medical practice. The industries page shows that Professional, Scientific and Technical Services has an index of 114.7, while Health Care and Social Assistance is 97.8. Construction sits somewhere in between. So if you’re in a higher-index industry, your office manager salary could push above the $89,960 median.
State also plays a role. The states page shows that Western Australia has an index of 106.9, while Tasmania is 88.6. An office manager in Perth might earn a premium compared to one in Hobart, simply because the local labour market is stronger.
Awards and minimum pay
Office managers are often covered by a modern award, but there’s no single “office manager award”. The most common is the Clerks Award (MA000002), which covers clerical and administrative workers. Depending on the classification level, a full-time clerical employee might earn between $25.74 an hour (entry-level) and $35 or more at higher levels. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, but most office managers will be above that.
Other awards that can cover office managers include the Professional Employees Award (MA000065) if they supervise professional staff, or industry-specific awards like the Health Professionals and Support Services Award (MA000027) in healthcare. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides for each award, which list minimum rates, allowances, and penalty rates. If you’re an office manager covered by an enterprise agreement, the agreement rates apply instead.
Gross pay, super, and tax
Let’s run the numbers on a typical office manager salary of $89,960.
Gross pay: $89,960 a year, or $1,730 a week.
Superannuation: From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12%. That means your employer must contribute an extra $10,795 into your super fund, making total remuneration $100,755. The super guarantee maximum contribution base is $270,830, so you’re well under that.
Tax: For 2026–27, a resident with the tax-free threshold pays:
- Nil on the first $18,200
- 15% on the next $26,800 (to $45,000) = $4,020
- 30% on the next $44,960 (to $89,960) = $13,488
- Total income tax = $17,508
- Plus Medicare levy at 2% = $1,799
- Total tax and Medicare = $19,307
- Take-home pay: $70,653 (before any HELP repayments or salary sacrifice)
If you’re comparing offers, remember that super is on top of your salary, not taken out of it. The how the index works page explains how we calculate the index using gross ordinary-time earnings.
How does the office manager salary compare?
At index 83, the office manager salary sits below the national line of 100. For context:
- National minimum wage: index 48.2 ($52,255)
- Retail trade average: index 75.9
- Education and training: index 105.5
- Mining: index 154.7
So an office manager is earning more than the minimum wage and more than the retail average, but less than the national average for all full-time workers. That’s partly because the occupation is 81% female and has a median age of 47 — suggesting many experienced workers are in the role, but the pay ceiling may be lower than in male-dominated fields.
What affects your office manager salary?
Several factors can push your pay above or below the median:
- Industry: As noted, professional services and mining pay more.
- Experience: A senior office manager with 10+ years could earn $100,000 or more.
- Location: WA and ACT have higher state indices; Tasmania and South Australia are lower.
- Award vs. agreement: Enterprise agreements often have higher rates than award minimums.
- Company size: Larger firms tend to pay more than small businesses.
If you’re negotiating a salary, use the Jobs and Skills Australia median as a starting point, then adjust for your industry and location. The topics page has more on how different factors affect pay.
The bottom line
The best public estimate for an office manager salary in Australia is around $89,960 a year, or index 83. That’s a solid middle-income role, above the minimum wage but below the national average. With 12% super and standard tax, your take-home is about $70,650 and your super account gets a $10,800 boost each year. For a more precise figure, check the relevant award or enterprise agreement, and always consider the industry and state you’re in.
Questions people ask
What is the average office manager salary in Australia?
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time weekly earnings for office managers is $1,730, which works out to about $89,960 a year before tax. This figure is a standardised median used for comparison across occupations. Actual salaries vary by industry, experience, and location.
How does an office manager salary compare to the national average?
The national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings are $108,352 a year (index 100). The office manager median of $89,960 gives an index of 83, meaning it is about 17% below the national line. However, office managers in high-paying industries like mining or professional services can earn well above this.
What tax and super do office managers pay on $89,960?
On $89,960 in 2026–27, a resident with the tax-free threshold pays about $20,267 in income tax plus $1,799 Medicare levy, leaving around $67,894 take-home. Superannuation at 12% adds $10,795 to the super account, making total remuneration about $100,755.