What Is Average Salary in Australia? State and Industry Differences Explained

What Is Average Salary in Australia? A State and Industry Breakdown

If you’ve ever asked what is average salary in Australia, the short answer is $108,352 a year before tax and super. That’s the national line – index 100 – based on full-time adult ordinary-time earnings from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). But the real story is in the differences between states and industries. A job in mining in Western Australia will pay very differently from a retail role in Tasmania. Let’s unpack the numbers.

How the Salary Index Works

The Salary Index uses a simple benchmark: the national average full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. Your yearly gross pay divided by that figure, times 100, gives your index number. For example, if you earn $130,000 a year, your index is about 120 – meaning you earn 20% above the national line. The index helps you see where your pay sits relative to the average, whether you’re in a high-paying state or a lower-paying industry.

State-by-State Averages

Australia’s states and territories have very different economies, and that shows in their average pay. Here are the state indices from the ABS:

• Australian Capital Territory: index 109.9 – $119,090 per year
• Western Australia: index 106.9 – $115,825 per year
• New South Wales: index 101.2 – $109,658 per year
• Victoria: index 98.0 – $106,137 per year
• Queensland: index 97.9 – $106,064 per year
• South Australia: index 94.6 – $102,450 per year
• Northern Territory: index 95.2 – $103,173 per year
• Tasmania: index 88.6 – $96,008 per year

These are gross ordinary-time earnings, not including overtime, bonuses, or super. The ACT and WA lead because of their strong public sector and mining industries respectively. Tasmania’s lower index reflects a different industry mix and cost of living. If you’re comparing job offers across states, these benchmarks give you a starting point. For more detail, check our states page.

Industry Differences

Industry is even more telling. The national average hides huge gaps between sectors. Here are selected industry indices:

• Mining: index 154.7 – roughly $167,600 per year
• Professional, scientific and technical services: index 114.7 – about $124,300 per year
• Education and training: index 105.5 – about $114,300 per year
• Health care and social assistance: index 97.8 – about $106,000 per year
• Retail trade: index 75.9 – about $82,200 per year
• Accommodation and food services: index 72.5 – about $78,500 per year

Mining pays well above the national line, while retail and hospitality sit well below. That doesn’t mean every job in mining pays $167k – entry-level roles and support positions will be lower. But the industry average reflects the high wages for skilled trades, engineers, and fly-in-fly-out workers. On the other hand, accommodation and food services includes many part-time and casual roles, dragging the average down. For a deeper dive, see our industries page.

How Awards and Minimum Wages Fit In

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week – that’s $52,255 a year, index 48.2. That’s the legal floor for award-free employees. Most workers are covered by a modern award, which sets higher minimum rates. For example, the entry-level award floor is $25.74 per hour, but many awards pay above that. Casual employees get a loading of 25% (so $33.05 per hour on the minimum wage). Superannuation guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, paid on top of your gross earnings.

These figures are important when you’re comparing your pay to the national average. If you earn $60,000 in retail, you’re below the national line but above the minimum. If you earn $120,000 in professional services, you’re above the line. The how the index works page explains the calculation in more detail.

Tax and Take-Home Pay

Gross salary is only part of the picture. For a resident in 2026–27, tax rates start at nil for the first $18,200, then 15% up to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above. Plus a 2% Medicare levy. So someone earning the national average of $108,352 would pay about $24,000 in tax and Medicare, leaving around $84,000 take-home (ignoring HELP, salary sacrifice, or the Medicare levy surcharge). That’s a rough estimate – your actual tax depends on your circumstances.

Putting It All Together

So when you ask what is average salary in Australia, the answer is $108,352 – but that’s just the starting point. Your state and industry can push you well above or below that line. A miner in WA might earn 55% more than the national average, while a hospitality worker in Tasmania might earn 11% less. Use the Salary Index to see where your pay sits, and check our pay guides for more guidance on specific roles.

Remember, these are averages, not guarantees. Your own pay depends on your award, enterprise agreement, experience, and employer. But knowing the national line and how your state or industry compares gives you a solid reference for salary discussions.