A Fair Wage In Australia: How Much Is Enough?

what is a good hourly wage in australia

Australia has a strong economy and offers a higher average salary for full-time and part-time work hours compared to other countries. The national minimum wage in Australia is AUD 24.10 per hour, which is higher than the minimum hourly wage in the United States and the United Kingdom. The average salary in Australia is approximately $100,000 annually, with a weekly wage for adults of $196.40. However, salaries vary depending on factors such as location, experience, education level, and industry. For example, in Melbourne, admin jobs can range from $55k to $120k annually, while the median salary in Australia is $6,675 per month.

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Minimum wage in Australia

The minimum wage in Australia is the lowest amount one can legally be paid for doing a job. It is reviewed annually by the Fair Work Commission (FWC) and is typically announced in April to June, with the new rates coming into effect from 1 July. The FWC considers factors like inflation, cost of living, and productivity to ensure that the minimum wages are fair for low-paid workers and reflect the current economic conditions.

As of 1 July 2024, the national minimum wage in Australia is AUD 24.10 per hour or AUD 915.90 per week for a full-time employee working 38 hours a week. This rate varies based on the type of employment, age, and whether one is covered by an award or registered agreement. For example, the minimum wage for a hairdressing trainee working part-time with less than 1,000 hours logged is AUD 14.40.

The minimum wage also depends on the industry and occupation. Awards outline the specific terms and conditions of employment for various industries and occupations, and they often set different minimum wages, which are higher than the national minimum wage. These awards consider the unique demands and conditions of each sector. Employees covered by an award have the right to the higher rates and specific conditions outlined within their relevant award, which can vary significantly across industries.

In addition to the basic salary, employees may be entitled to other benefits such as bonuses, overtime pay, and allowances for things like working weekends, public holidays, or challenging conditions. Casual employees covered by the minimum wage receive additional pay of at least 25% of the hourly rate, recognising that casual workers do not have access to most paid leave entitlements.

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Average salary in Australia

Australia offers a higher average salary for full-time and part-time work hours compared to other countries. The average salary in Australia is approximately $100,000 annually, $1996.40 weekly, and $43.50 per hour. The workforce in Australia earns an average salary of AUD 37,000 to AUD 94,000 per annum. The national median personal income was $805 per week, with a median of 38 hours worked per week. The median salary in Australia in 2025 is 6,675 AUD per month, meaning half of the population earns less than this amount per month, while the other half earns more. The median hourly earnings in the main job were $40.00 per hour.

The average salary for entry-level positions is $69,801 per year, while for the most experienced workers, it is up to $138,419 per year. Employees with two to five years of experience tend to earn 32% more than newcomers. Employees with over five years of experience earn, on average, 36% more than those with less than five years of experience. Employees with ten years of experience earn an average of 21% more than those with less than ten years of experience. Earners who have crossed the fifteen-year mark earn approximately 14% more.

The minimum wage in Australia is set at AUD 24.10 per hour, or AUD 948 per week, as of July 2025. This is an increase from the previous year, when the minimum wage was AUD 24.10 per hour. The minimum wage in Australia is reviewed annually and is higher than the minimum hourly wage in the United States and the United Kingdom.

The top three reported occupations in Australia are Sales Assistants (General), Registered Nurses, and General Clerks. The average salary differs based on the profession and sector of employment. For example, in the nursing profession, the average salary differs based on various levels within the field, from entry-level to advanced practice roles. The average salary of a chef in Australia varies based on experience, role, and the type of establishment.

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Salary by sector

The average salary in Australia is approximately $100,000 annually, $1,996.40 weekly, and $43.50 per hour. However, salaries vary widely depending on factors such as sector, location, education level, work experience, and age.

The national minimum wage in Australia is AUD 24.10 per hour as of July 1, 2024, or $915.90 a week for a 38-hour workweek. This amounts to an annual salary of $47,626 for full-time workers. The minimum wage is reviewed annually by the Fair Work Commission.

The median salary in Australia, which may be a more accurate reflection of what a typical worker earns, was around $65,000 per year in 2024. This is the middle value of all salaries, meaning half of the population earns less than this amount, while the other half earns more.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the largest employing industry in Australia is Health Care and Social Assistance, employing 14.5% of the workforce. This is followed by Retail Trade (9.1%) and Construction (8.9%).

  • Mining Industry: The mining industry has the highest-paid workers on average, with full-time employees earning an average of $3,015 per week.
  • Information Media and Telecommunications: Workers in this sector earn an average of $2,437 per week.
  • Financial and Insurance Services: Employees in this sector receive an average of $2,283 per week.
  • Education and Training: This industry has seen wage increases, contributing to a narrowing of the gender pay gap.
  • Retail Trade: Retail sales assistants can expect to earn an average annual salary between $55,000 and $60,000, depending on the state or territory.
  • Construction: Site supervisors in the construction sector earn an average annual salary between $100,000 and $120,000, with higher salaries in South Australia.
  • Nursing: Nurses' salaries vary based on their level of practice, from entry-level to advanced roles.
  • Chefs: A chef's salary depends on their experience, role, and type of establishment.
  • Engineering: The engineering profession encompasses various disciplines, each with its own unique salary structure.

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Salary by experience

Experience plays a pivotal role in determining salaries in Australia. The more experienced an employee is, the better their chances of earning a higher salary. According to one source, employees with two to five years of experience earn 32% more than newcomers. This gap widens further as employees with over five years of experience earn 36% more than those with less than five years of experience. The difference in salaries continues to increase as employees with ten years of experience earn 21% more than those with less than ten years of experience. Finally, employees who have crossed the fifteen-year mark in their careers earn approximately 14% more than those who have less than fifteen years of experience.

The national median personal income in Australia is $805 per week. This includes the adult population from 15 years to over 85 years, including those who are unemployed or retired. There were over 9.6 million people earning below the national median income or no income. The median salary in Australia in 2025 is $6,675 AUD per month, which means that half of the population in Australia earns less than this amount, while the other half earns more. The average salary in Australia is approximately $100,000 annually, $1,996.40 weekly, and $43.50 per hour. The average salary for entry-level positions is $69,801 per year, while for most experienced workers, it is up to $138,419 per year.

The average salary in Australia varies across different industries. The Health Care and Social Assistance industry is the largest employer in Australia, with 14.5% of the workforce, followed by Retail Trade (9.1%) and Construction (8.9%). The top three reported occupations are Sales Assistants (General) (514,084), Registered Nurses (262,742), and General Clerks (244,849). The median hourly earnings in the main job were $40.00 per hour, a slight increase from August 2023. The lowest-paid workers, on average, were Sales workers ($28.50) and Labourers ($29.50). The average for all employees was $39.10 per hour. Across industries, average hourly earnings were lowest in the Accommodation and food services industry ($25.90) and highest in the Mining industry ($60.60).

In addition to the basic salary, employees in Australia may be entitled to other benefits such as bonuses, overtime pay, and allowances for working weekends, public holidays, or challenging conditions. Salaries in Australia are usually negotiated between the employer and employee and are typically paid on a fortnightly or monthly basis.

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Salary by occupation

The average salary in Australia is approximately $100,000 annually, $1996.40 weekly, and $43.50 per hour. Entry-level positions have an average salary of $69,801 per year, while experienced workers can earn up to $138,419 per year. The national minimum wage in Australia is $24.95 per hour, which is a 3.5% increase from the previous year.

In terms of specific occupations, surgeons are the highest-paid individuals, earning an average of $394,303 per year. They are followed by anaesthetists, who earn $386,065, and internal medicine specialists, who earn $304,752. Other high-income occupations include financial dealers ($275,984), mining engineers ($184,507), and chief executive officers (CEOs) ($164,896).

The average salary for nurses in Australia varies based on their level of experience and the specific role they have within the nursing field. Similarly, chef salaries differ depending on their experience, role, and the type of establishment they work for.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, managers and professionals had the highest average hourly earnings in May 2018, at $60.40 and $54.00 per hour, respectively. In contrast, sales workers and labourers had the lowest hourly earnings, at $28.50 and $29.50, respectively. The average hourly wage across all employees was $39.10. The mining industry had the highest average hourly earnings at $60.60, while the accommodation and food services industry had the lowest at $25.90.

Frequently asked questions

As of July 2025, the national minimum wage in Australia is $24.95 per hour.

The average hourly wage in Australia is around $43.50 per hour.

The average yearly salary in Australia is around $88,991 AUD.

The average salary for an entry-level position in Australia is $69,801 per year.

The more experienced an employee is, the better their chances of getting a higher salary in Australia. Employees with two to five years of experience tend to earn 32% more than newcomers.

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