What is the Australian average salary?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported that in May 2026, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year. This figure includes overtime and bonuses but excludes part-time and casual workers. The all-employees average total earnings (including part-time) was $1,579.20 per week.

How does the minimum wage compare to the average salary?

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. That is roughly half the average full-time weekly earnings. However, many employees are covered by modern awards or enterprise agreements that set higher rates. The minimum wage is a legal floor, not a target, and most full-time workers earn above it.

Do I get super on top of my salary?

Yes, employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% on top of your ordinary time earnings. For an employee earning the average full-time salary of $2,083.70 per week, the employer pays an extra $250.04 per week in super. This is in addition to your salary and is not deducted from your pay.

Australian Average Salary vs Minimum Wage: What You Take Home After Tax and Super

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week, while the ABS May 2026 average full-time adult ordinary-time earnings are $2,083.70 per week.

Australian Average Salary: How It Compares to the Minimum Wage

When people talk about the australian average salary, they usually refer to the ABS measure of full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. As of May 2026, that figure stood at $2,083.70 per week. But what does that mean for your weekly packet after tax, Medicare, and super? And how does it compare to the legal minimum?

The Legal Minimum: National Minimum Wage

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage. From 1 July 2026, the adult rate is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making it $33.05 per hour. This is the floor for award-free and agreement-free employees in the national system. However, most workers are covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement, which can require a higher rate. For example, award rates from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026 rise by 4.75%, but the lowest ongoing classification cannot fall below the national minimum. Introductory rates (first six months) are $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week.

It's important to note that not every worker receives the full adult minimum. Juniors, apprentices, trainees, and supported wage employees can be paid less. For award-free juniors, rates range from $9.73 per hour (under 16) to $25.84 per hour (age 20). Apprentice and trainee rates follow the Miscellaneous Award.

The Average Salary: A Broader Picture

The ABS May 2026 figure of $2,083.70 per week for full-time adult ordinary-time earnings includes overtime, bonuses, and other loadings. It does not include part-time or casual workers. A broader measure—all employees average total earnings—is $1,579.20 per week. These averages are useful benchmarks but hide wide variation. Many workers earn less than the average, and some earn much more.

Your Weekly Packet: Gross vs Net

Let's take the average full-time salary of $2,083.70 per week ($108,352.40 annually) and see what you take home after tax and Medicare, using 2026-27 resident rates with the full tax-free threshold. This illustration ignores the low income tax offset, HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, and the Medicare levy surcharge.

Annual gross: $108,352.40
Tax on first $18,200: $0
Tax on $18,201 to $45,000 (19%): $5,092
Tax on $45,001 to $108,352.40 (32.5%): $20,589.53
Total tax: $25,681.53
Medicare (2% of full amount): $2,167.05
Total deductions: $27,848.58
Net annual: $80,503.82
Net weekly: approximately $1,548.15

So from a gross weekly pay of $2,083.70, you take home about $1,548 after tax and Medicare. That's still well above the minimum wage gross of $1,004.90 per week.

Super on Top

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% on ordinary time earnings. For the average salary, that's an extra $250.04 per week (12% of $2,083.70) paid into your super fund. This is on top of your salary, not deducted from it. So the total employment cost to the employer is $2,333.74 per week. For the minimum wage, the super contribution is $120.59 per week, making the total cost $1,125.49.

Separating the Figures

It's crucial to distinguish between:

Legal minimum: set by the Fair Work Commission, enforced by the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Award rates: higher minimums for specific industries, set by the Commission.
Enterprise agreements: negotiated rates above the award.
Survey averages: like the ABS figures, which are not legal floors.

Your actual pay depends on your award, agreement, or individual contract. The average salary is a statistical measure, not a target. If you earn less than the average, you are not alone—many workers do.

How This Site Can Help

For more details on which pay floor applies to you, see Which minimum wage applies. To explore rate tables for awards and the national minimum, visit Rate tables. Our How the figures work page explains the methodology behind the calculations.

Key Takeaways

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44/h or $1,004.90/week.
The ABS average full-time salary is $2,083.70/week, but many earn less.
After tax and Medicare, the average salary nets about $1,548/week.
Super is paid on top: 12% of ordinary time earnings.
Awards and agreements can set higher rates than the minimum.

Remember, this information is for orientation only. It is not a pay determination or tax advice. Always check your specific award or agreement and consult a professional for your personal situation.