What's the Average Salary in Australia? Award Coverage vs Award-Free Rates

What's the average salary in Australia?

When people ask 'whats the average salary in australia', they usually want a single number. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) provides two key figures from May 2026: full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week, and average total earnings for all employees of $1,579.20 per week. These are survey averages, not legal floors. The legal minimum is the national minimum wage set by the Fair Work Commission.

The legal minimum: 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 25% loading, making the casual rate $33.05 per hour. This is the absolute floor for award-free and agreement-free national-system employees. Most private-sector workers are in the national system. Some state public sector and local government employees, and some Western Australian sole traders and partnerships, are covered by state awards instead.

Importantly, not everyone must receive $26.44 per hour. Juniors, apprentices, trainees, and those on introductory award rates can be paid less. For award-free employees under 21, the junior percentages apply (e.g., 18-year-olds get 68.3% of the adult rate, or $18.06 per hour). Apprentice and trainee rates for award-free employees follow the Miscellaneous Award, not the junior percentages.

Award coverage vs award-free rates

The national minimum wage is only the floor. Most employees are covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement that sets a higher minimum. For example, the lowest ongoing classification in a modern award cannot sit under the national minimum. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, modern award minimum wages rise by 4.75%, but the introductory rate (first 6 months) cannot sit under $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week.

If you are award-free and agreement-free, the national minimum applies. But if your job is covered by an award, your employer must pay at least the award rate, which is usually higher. Enterprise agreements can also set higher rates. Always check your award or agreement first.

The ABS average salary figures

The ABS average total earnings of $1,579.20 per week includes part-time and casual workers, so it is lower than the full-time average of $2,083.70. These are not legal requirements. They are useful for comparing your pay to the broader market, but they do not set a minimum. The Fair Work Ombudsman enforces the legal minimum, not the average.

Super guarantee on top

When discussing pay, remember that superannuation is an employer payment on top of ordinary time earnings. The super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026. So if you earn $26.44 per hour, your employer must also contribute an additional 12% into your super fund. This is not part of your take-home pay.

How to find your correct pay floor

To know which pay floor applies, start by checking if your job is covered by a modern award. Use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Find my award tool. If no award applies and no enterprise agreement covers you, the national minimum wage is your floor. If you are award-covered, the award rate is your minimum. Your employer cannot pay less than the award rate, even if it is above the national minimum.

For more details, see our Which minimum wage applies guide and the Rate tables for current figures.

Tax and take-home pay

For the 2026-27 tax year, resident rates with the full tax-free threshold apply. Medicare is estimated at 2% once annualised ordinary gross reaches $30,000. The low income tax offset and other offsets are not included in this model. Your actual take-home pay depends on your circumstances.

Summary

The 'average salary in Australia' is not a legal standard. The ABS average total earnings of $1,579.20 per week is a survey figure. The legal minimum is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week). Most workers earn above the minimum because of awards or agreements. Always check your award or agreement first. If you are award-free, the national minimum applies, but junior and other rates may reduce it.

For more information, see our Guides and How the figures work pages.

FAQs

What is the average salary in Australia?

The most commonly cited figure is the ABS average total earnings for all employees of $1,579.20 per week (May 2026). For full-time adult employees the average ordinary-time earnings are $2,083.70 per week. These are survey averages, not a legal minimum. The legal minimum is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week) from 1 July 2026. Many employees are covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement that sets a higher rate.

How does the average salary compare to the national minimum wage?

The national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week). The ABS average total earnings of $1,579.20 per week is about 57% higher. But averages include part-time workers and overtime, so the typical full-time worker earns more. The minimum wage is a floor; most award-covered employees earn above it.

Do I have to be paid the average salary if I am award-free?

No. If you are award-free and not covered by an award or agreement, you must get at least the national minimum wage. If you are junior, apprentice, or on an introductory award rate, you may be paid less than the adult minimum. Your award or agreement can set a higher rate. The average salary is not a legal requirement.