What is average salary in Australia? A guide to the legal minimum and typical earnings
The national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week) from 1 July 2026, while the ABS reports full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week.
What is average salary in Australia?
The question "what is average salary in Australia" is a common one, but the answer depends on whether you are asking about the legal minimum, a survey average, an award rate, or a negotiated salary. This guide helps you separate these concepts so you can check your own pay.
The legal minimum wage
The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage. From 1 July 2026, the adult national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. Casual employees receive a loading of 25%, making the casual rate $33.05 per hour. However, not every worker is entitled to these rates. Junior employees (under 21), apprentices, trainees, and supported wage employees can be paid lower rates. For example, a 16-year-old award-free junior receives $12.51 per hour (47.3% of the adult rate), or $15.64 per hour casual. Apprentice and trainee rates for award-free employees follow the Miscellaneous Award. The adult weekly national minimum is the published $1,004.90 figure; multiplying $26.44 by 38 lands 18 cents lower because of rounding in the order.
Employers must also pay super guarantee of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. This is not included in the hourly or weekly rates above.
The ABS average salary
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes average earnings data. As of May 2026, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings were $2,083.70 per week. This is an average across all full-time employees, including those in high-paying roles. The all-employees average total earnings (including part-time and casual) was $1,579.20 per week. These figures are not legal minimums; they are statistical averages. Many workers earn less than these averages, especially those in entry-level or part-time positions. The average is also not the same as the median; half of workers earn less than the median, which is typically lower than the average.
Award rates and enterprise agreements
Most employees in Australia are covered by a modern award or an enterprise agreement. These can set higher minimum rates than the national minimum. For example, the lowest ongoing classification under a modern award cannot be less than $26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026, but introductory rates for the first 6 months are $25.74 per hour. If you are covered by an award, your minimum rate is likely higher than the national minimum. Check your award classification using the Which minimum wage applies guide or the Rate tables for your industry. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces these rates.
How to check your pay
To see if your pay is correct, compare your hourly rate to the applicable minimum. If you are award-free and agreement-free, the national minimum is your floor. If you are covered by an award, use the award rate. If you have an enterprise agreement, the agreement rate applies. Remember that negotiated salaries can be higher than the minimum, but never lower. Also consider whether you are being paid correctly for overtime, penalties, and allowances.
The average salary figure from the ABS is often cited in media, but it is not a target for individual pay. Your legal entitlement is the minimum wage or award rate. If you are paid above the minimum, that is a matter of negotiation or market conditions.
Superannuation
Super guarantee is paid on top of your ordinary time earnings. The rate is 12% from 1 July 2026. This means if your ordinary time earnings are $1,000 per week, your employer must pay an additional $120 into your super fund. Super is not part of your take-home pay.
State system employees
These national rates apply to national-system employees. Most private-sector employees are in the national system. However, some state public sector and local government employees, and some Western Australian sole traders and partnerships in the state system, are covered by state awards instead. If you are in the state system, check your state's minimum wage.
FAQs
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For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.
Questions people ask next
What is the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026?
The national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for adults. Casual employees receive $33.05 per hour. Junior, apprentice, and supported wage rates can be lower.
What is the average salary in Australia according to the ABS?
The ABS reports that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings are $2,083.70 per week as of May 2026. This is an average, not a minimum, and many workers earn less.
Can my employer pay me less than the average salary?
Yes, as long as they pay at least the applicable minimum wage, award rate, or enterprise agreement rate. The average is a statistical figure, not a legal requirement.
Related guides
- What is the Average Salary in Australia? Understanding Minimum Wages and Earnings
The national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week) from 1 July 2026, while the ABS reports average full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week as of May 2026.
- Average Salary Australia: Understanding the Pay Floor and What the Figures Really Mean
The national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week (adult, award-free), while the ABS average total earnings for all employees is $1,579.20 per week – a survey average, not a legal floor.
- Average Salary in Australia: How It Compares to the National Minimum Wage
The national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week), while the ABS average total earnings for all employees is $1,579.20 per week (before tax, excluding super).
- Australia Average Salary vs Minimum Wage: Which Pay Floor Applies?
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week, but the ABS all-employees average total earnings for May 2026 were $1,579.20 per week – a figure that is not a legal floor.