What is the national minimum wage in Australia?

From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. This applies to adult employees not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual rate $33.05 per hour. Lower rates apply for juniors, apprentices, and employees with disability.

Is $80,000 a good salary in Australia?

$80,000 a year is above the national minimum wage ($52,254.80 annualised) and is close to the ABS all-employees average total earnings of $82,118 per year (May 2026). It is below the full-time adult ordinary-time earnings average of $108,352. Whether it is 'good' depends on your industry, location, and experience. It is a solid middle-income salary but may not stretch as far in high-cost cities.

Does the $80,000 figure include superannuation?

Usually not. Salary figures quoted in job ads or contracts are typically base salary excluding the superannuation guarantee. From 1 July 2026, employers must pay an additional 12% super on top of ordinary time earnings. So a $80,000 base salary would have about $9,600 in super, making the total package $89,600. Always check whether a quoted figure is inclusive or exclusive of super.

Is $80k a Good Salary in Australia? Comparing Pay Floors and Averages

The national minimum wage is $26.44/hour ($1,004.90/week) from 1 July 2026, while the ABS average all-employees total earnings is $1,579.20/week ($82,118/year).

Is $80k a Good Salary in Australia? Understanding the Pay Floor

When Australians ask "is 80k a good salary in australia", the answer depends on which benchmark you use. The legal minimum is one thing; the average wage is another. This guide separates the pay floor from survey averages, award rates, and negotiated salaries so you can see where $80,000 sits.

The National Minimum Wage – Your Legal Floor

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage each year. From 1 July 2026, the rate is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. This is the minimum an award-free adult employee can be paid before tax. Casual employees get a 25% loading, making it $33.05 per hour.

However, not every worker is entitled to $26.44. Juniors, apprentices, trainees, and employees on introductory award rates or supported wages can be paid less. For example, an award-free junior aged 18 receives $18.06 per hour (68.3% of the adult rate). Always check your specific situation using the Which minimum wage applies page.

Award Rates and Enterprise Agreements

Most employees are covered by a modern award or an enterprise agreement. Awards set minimum rates for specific industries and occupations, and these are often higher than the national minimum. For instance, the lowest ongoing classification in a modern award cannot fall below $26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026, but introductory rates (limited to six months) can be as low as $25.74 per hour. Enterprise agreements can also set higher rates. If you are covered by an award or agreement, that document determines your minimum pay – not the national minimum wage. See our Rate tables for examples.

How $80,000 Compares to Averages

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes average earnings data. In May 2026, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings were $2,083.70 per week (about $108,352 annually). All employees (including part-time and casual) averaged $1,579.20 per week ($82,118 annually).

An $80,000 annual salary works out to $1,538.46 per week. That is:

Well above the national minimum ($1,004.90/week).
Slightly below the all-employees average ($1,579.20/week).
Significantly below the full-time ordinary-time average ($2,083.70/week).

So $80k is a middle-income salary. It is not low, but it is not high either. It is close to what the typical Australian employee earns when you include part-time and casual workers.

The Role of Superannuation

When discussing salary, remember that the superannuation guarantee is an employer payment on top of your base pay. From 1 July 2026, the rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings. If your contract says $80,000, your employer must also contribute $9,600 into your super fund, making your total remuneration $89,600. Always clarify whether a quoted figure is base salary or total package.

What About Negotiated Salaries?

A negotiated salary can be anything above the applicable minimum. There is no legal maximum. If you have skills in demand, you can command more than the award rate or the average. The $80,000 figure might be a starting point for negotiation, especially if you are early in your career or in a lower-paying industry.

Summary

The legal minimum for an adult award-free employee is $26.44/hour ($1,004.90/week).
Award and agreement rates can be higher.
The ABS all-employees average is $1,579.20/week ($82,118/year).
$80,000 is above the minimum but slightly below the average.
Super (12%) is paid on top.

For more detail on how these figures are calculated, visit How the figures work.

Key Takeaways

Pay floor: National minimum wage $26.44/h (adult, award-free).
Award rates: Often higher; check your award.
Average: $80k is close to the all-employees average.
Super: 12% on top of base salary.

If you are unsure which pay floor applies to you, start with Which minimum wage applies.