Average Salary in Australia

Written by Luis Minvielle Moderated by Oleksandra Dosii

Luis Minvielle

Luis is a writer with over 5 years of experience in B2B software. Even though he has always worked in tech, a sector he regularly publishes about, his initial incursions into writing were, curiously enough, music essays discussing scenes from different parts of the world—most likely to deal with his unfulfilled ambition of becoming a neo-soul crooner.

Oleksandra Dosii

Oleksandra is a dedicated marketer with a passion for growing HR-tech products. She believes content marketing is about delivering high-quality content that provides value—not just generating leads. Since 2016, Oleksandra has been involved in tech talent relocation.

Last update: October 14, 2024

Next update: Scheduled for February 1, 2025

What is the average salary in Australia?

In 2024, the gross average salary in Australia was around A$100,000 per year, or A$1,923.40 per week. This figure is equivalent to approximately €64,516 or US$68,000 a year. This means that an average worker earns about A$7,694 per month, and around A$50.6 (€32.6) per hour. This salary information is based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data released in September 2024.

In 2024, the Australian median salary hovered around A$65,000 a year, which is roughly US$44,000 a year. The median salary is, possibly, a more accurate reflection of what a typical worker in Australia, white collar or otherwise, earns in the country.

The Australian average salary is well above the global average. In fact, Australia is placed 6th in the recently updated world ranking for average monthly net salary (after tax), which speaks to the country's solid macroeconomic position and impressive standard of living. It’s also an expensive country to live in.

*Annual salary is calculated by multiplying the average weekly wage over 52 weeks.

What is the average salary in Sydney?

The average salary in Sydney is A$83,000 (€53,550) a year, or A$6,916 per month before taxes. After accounting for taxes, the average worker in Sydney earns around A$62,772 (€40,483) annually.

Sydney ranks as one of the most expensive cities in the world, positioned 18th in the 2024 Cost of Living Plus Rent Index. The city's high living costs are primarily driven by rent, with the average price for a unit reaching around A$720 per week as of June 2024. While wages in Sydney are higher than in many other regions, the cost of housing often offsets these gains, and this makes the city one of the priciest places to live in Australia.

What is the average salary in Melbourne?

The average salary in Melbourne is A$78,000 (€50,300) a year or A$6,500 per month. Melbourne offers a similar standard of living compared to Sydney, but with much lower housing costs — about a 28% lower price tag. This average income allows for a decent standard of living, although housing costs (around A$550 per week for units) can still strain budgets.

What is the minimum wage in Australia?

In 2024, the minimum wage in Australia is A24.10 per hour or $915.90 a week (if you work 38 hours). This amounts to a total annual salary of A$47,626 (€30,000) for full-time workers. The minimum wage is reviewed annually by the Fair Work Commission, and it is among the highest in the world, which shows Australia's commitment to fair labour standards. Employees also often enjoy benefits like paid annual leave and public holidays.

What is the median salary in Australia?

The Australian median salary in 2024 is close to A$65,000 a year, which is somewhere around US$44,000 a year. The median salary is probably more accurate than what a typical worker in Australia makes. The median salary is the middle value that you obtain when all income levels are listed from the bottom to the top.

What is a good salary in Australia?

The cost of living in major Australian cities can be high, so what counts as a good salary depends largely on location and lifestyle. While A$75,000 (which is relatively close to the 2024 median salary) may have been considered reasonable in the past, many Australians now feel that a salary closer to A$100,000 is necessary for stability, especially in expensive cities like Sydney, where rent and living expenses are very high.

For example, the average cost of living in Sydney, including rent, is around A$4,800 per month, or A$58,000 per year for a single person. A salary of A$100,000 covers basic expenses, though some people (and even more so if it’s a family) report little room for extras. In rural areas, a salary of A$100,000 allows for a more comfortable lifestyle, with fewer pressures from housing costs. Many Australians consider A$120,000 to be the ideal salary to achieve a good quality of life anywhere in the country.

Average salary after tax in Australia

The average gross salary in Australia is A$100,000. When we consider the tax rates, which can be approximately 26.6% for the average income bracket, the net salary comes to around A$73,476. To find out more about taxes and calculate your expected income, you can visit the Australian Taxation Office’s official site and use our tax calculator.

What are the highest-paying jobs in Australia?

Let’s look at some of the most common professions for expats in Australia and their average annual salaries (Source: Payscale):

• IT Project Manager: A$115,404
• Marketing Manager: A$85,805
• Software Engineer: A$85,455
• Customer Support: A$59,906
• UX Designer: A$78,189
• Data Analyst: A$76,768
• HR Generalist: A$79,978
• Senior Recruiter: A$96,780

Average salary comparison by country