What Is the Average Salary in Australia? A Guide to Hourly Rates, Tax and Super

What Is the Average Salary in Australia?

If you are trying to work out what is the average salary in Australia, the most reliable source is the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Average Weekly Earnings survey. For May 2026, the ABS reported that full‑time adult ordinary time earnings were $2,083.70 per week. Multiply that by 52 and you get about $108,352 a year. That figure is an average across all full‑time employees, not a median for any particular job. For all employees (including part‑time workers) the average total earnings were $1,579.20 per week, or roughly $82,118 a year.

It is important to understand that these averages are not the same as the National Minimum Wage or award rates. The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, which for a 38‑hour week gives $1,004.90 per week and $52,282 per year. Casual employees get a 25% loading on top, making the casual minimum $33.05 per hour. Award rates, set by the Fair Work Ombudsman, are often higher than the National Minimum Wage and vary by industry and role.

How to Convert Your Hourly Rate to an Annual Salary

The basic formula is simple: hourly rate × hours per week × 52. This article assumes a standard 38‑hour week unless you specify otherwise. For example, if you earn $40 per hour and work 38 hours each week, your annual gross pay is $40 × 38 × 52 = $79,040. If you work fewer or more hours, adjust the weekly figure. The hourly conversion page on this site can help you do the maths quickly.

When you use the timesheet, you type your base hourly rate. There is a checkbox to add 25% casual loading on top. Do not type a rate that already includes casual loading – the tool adds it for you. The annual figure shown is your gross pay before tax and before super.

Tax on Your Annual Salary

Once you have your annual gross pay, you can estimate the tax you will owe using the 2026–27 resident tax rates. The tax‑free threshold is $18,200. Above that:

• 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
• 30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
• 37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
• 45% on income over $190,000

You also pay the Medicare levy, generally 2% of your taxable income. The 2025–26 single reduction thresholds are used here because the 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed at the time of calculation. If you have a HELP debt, the Medicare levy surcharge, or salary packaging, those are not deducted in this estimate. For a more detailed breakdown, see the take‑home pay guide.

Superannuation Is Paid on Top

Your employer must pay super guarantee contributions on top of your ordinary earnings. From 1 July 2026 the rate is 12%, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. So if your annual salary is $80,000, your employer pays an extra $9,600 into your super fund. This super is not part of your take‑home pay – it goes into a fund for your retirement. You can learn more about super and packaging on this site.

Fortnightly Pay and Budgeting

Many Australians are paid fortnightly. To find your fortnightly gross pay, simply multiply your weekly pay by 2. For a 38‑hour week at $30 per hour, weekly pay is $1,140 and fortnightly is $2,280. After tax and Medicare, your net pay will be lower. The reference tables on this site show examples for different hourly rates.

What About Award Rates and Casual Loading?

If you are covered by an award, your minimum pay is set by that award, which is often higher than the National Minimum Wage. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides for each award. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on the base rate to compensate for not receiving paid leave. The casual loading page explains how this works.

Why the Average Salary Might Not Apply to You

The ABS average of $108,352 for full‑time adults is a broad figure. It includes all industries, all states, and all experience levels. Your own salary could be very different depending on your occupation, location, and experience. For a more tailored view, look at industry‑specific averages or use the job pay resources on this site. Remember that averages can be pulled up by high earners, so the median (the middle value) is often lower. The figures here are averages, not medians for any specific job.

Putting It All Together

To answer the question “what is the average salary in Australia”, the best starting point is the ABS figure of about $108,352 for full‑time workers. But your own situation depends on your hourly rate, hours worked, award coverage, and whether you are casual or permanent. Use the timesheet on this site to enter your base hourly rate and see your annual, fortnightly and weekly estimates, including tax and super. Always check with the Fair Work Ombudsman or the Australian Taxation Office for your exact obligations.

This article is a guide only. The annual pay shown here is hourly rate × hours per week × 52, assuming the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. Super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings only, paid on top, and stops at the $270,830 maximum contribution base. Tax uses the 2026–27 resident scale with the full tax‑free threshold. Medicare uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds. HELP, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted. This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax.