Average Salary in Australia: What You Need to Earn to Live Well

The average salary in Australia is currently about AUD 108,350 a year for full-time adult workers, based on the latest ABS weekly earnings data. That is roughly £56,900 at current exchange rates. The median is lower, at around AUD 90,530 a year, which gives a better sense of what a typical full-time worker earns.

For UK movers, though, the headline salary only tells part of the story. This guide compares Australian and UK earnings, city-level pay and rent, and what salaries mean after tax, super and living costs. It also highlights the best-paying industries and key skills shortages.

Key Takeaways

• Average full-time earnings are about AUD 108,350 a year, or roughly £56,900, while the full-time median is closer to AUD 90,530.
• Where you live matters. Western Australia currently has higher state-level average full-time earnings than New South Wales, but Sydney remains the most expensive of the major cities in this comparison for rent.
• Perth is no longer a particularly cheap rental alternative to Sydney. Melbourne and Adelaide currently have noticeably lower median rents.
• The highest-paying sectors are not always the ones with the strongest labour shortages. Mining and several professional industries lead on pay, while shortages remain concentrated in areas such as health, education and construction.
• Check how superannuation is quoted in any job offer. “AUD 100,000 plus super” is not the same package as “AUD 100,000 including super”.

Once you have a target figure in mind, our removals to Australia service covers the practical side of getting there.

What Is the Average Salary in Australia in 2026?

The average full-time salary in Australia is about AUD 108,350 a year, or roughly £56,900, based on the latest ABS full-time adult ordinary-time earnings data. The median is lower at about AUD 90,530, which is a better guide to what a typical full-time worker earns.

Australian Salary Snapshot

Salary Measure	Official Weekly Figure (AUD)	Annualised Equivalent (AUD)	Approx. GBP*
Average full-time adult ordinary-time earnings	2,083.70	~108,350	~£56,900
Median full-time employee earnings	1,741.00	~90,530	~£47,570
National Minimum Wage, from 1 July 2026	1,004.90	~52,255	~£27,460

*GBP conversions use the RBA’s 24 August 2026 rate of AUD 1 = £0.5254. The annual figures are weekly earnings multiplied by 52, not official ABS annual salary figures. Check ABS Average Weekly Earnings, ABS median employee earnings and the RBA exchange rates for the latest figures.

Average vs Median Salary in Australia

The average and median answer slightly different questions. The average is higher because very high salaries pull the figure upwards. The median is the midpoint, meaning half of full-time employees earn more and half earn less.

For someone comparing a job offer or planning a move, the median is usually the more useful benchmark for typical pay.

What Is the Average Salary in Australia Per Month?

The current average full-time earnings figure is equivalent to about AUD 9,030 a month before tax, or roughly £4,740 at current exchange rates.

That is a gross monthly equivalent calculated from ABS weekly earnings data. Your actual take-home pay will be lower after income tax and the Medicare levy, while superannuation is handled separately depending on how your employment package is quoted.

Average Salary in Australia vs UK

Australian full-time earnings are higher than UK earnings in sterling terms. The latest Australian full-time median is AUD 1,741 a week, or about £915, compared with £766.60 a week in the UK based on the latest ONS annual earnings survey. That puts the Australian median roughly 19% higher before tax and living costs are taken into account.

It is not a perfect like-for-like comparison because the two surveys use different dates and methods. For a UK mover, the more useful question is what that higher salary buys after rent, tax and everyday costs in the city you actually plan to live in.

How Much Do Salaries Vary Across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide?

Pay does vary across Australia, but the clearest official comparison is by state rather than city. Western Australia currently has the highest full-time average earnings of the major destinations, while Sydney remains the most expensive of these cities for rent. That means a higher salary does not automatically give you more spending power.

State Earnings and Capital City Rent

Destination	State Full-Time Average Earnings (Annualised)	Median Unit Rent (Weekly)	Median House Rent (Weekly)
Sydney (NSW)	~AUD 109,660	AUD 780	AUD 850
Melbourne (VIC)	~AUD 106,140	AUD 600	AUD 600
Brisbane (QLD)	~AUD 106,060	AUD 660	AUD 700
Perth (WA)	~AUD 115,820	AUD 700	AUD 750
Adelaide (SA)	~AUD 102,450	AUD 550	AUD 650

Earnings are annualised from ABS state-level full-time average ordinary-time earnings for May 2026. ABS does not publish a directly comparable capital-city earnings series, so use these as state benchmarks rather than city-specific salaries. Rent figures are from Domain’s June 2026 Rental Report.

Sydney vs Perth

Western Australia currently has higher state-level full-time earnings than New South Wales, so Sydney does not automatically come out ahead on pay.

Housing narrows the gap further. Median unit rent is AUD 700 a week in Perth versus AUD 780 in Sydney, while median house rent is AUD 750 versus AUD 850. Perth is still cheaper, but not by as much as many UK movers might expect. Melbourne and Adelaide currently offer noticeably lower rents than both.

Is the Average Salary Enough for Australia’s Cost of Living?

For many full-time workers, the average salary in Australia can cover everyday living costs, but housing is the biggest factor in how far that income actually goes. National price levels are only slightly higher than in the UK, while rent varies sharply between cities.

The OECD’s 2026 Australia Economic Survey put Australia’s household consumption price level at 108 versus 104 for the UK in 2024, with the OECD average set at 100.

For someone earning the current full-time median of about AUD 90,530 and renting alone, median unit rent would take roughly 32% of gross pay in Adelaide, 34% in Melbourne, 38% in Brisbane, 40% in Perth and 45% in Sydney. That makes location far more important than the national average alone.

Families need a wider margin because larger housing, childcare and school-related costs can raise monthly spending quickly. Our guide to moving to Australia with family covers those costs in more detail.

How Much Do You Need to Earn to Live Comfortably in Australia?

There is no single salary that guarantees a comfortable lifestyle in Australia. Housing is the biggest variable, so one useful way to compare cities is to look at the gross income needed for median unit rent to equal 30% of earnings.

Using that measure, the income required is about AUD 135,200 in Sydney, AUD 121,300 in Perth, AUD 114,400 in Brisbane, AUD 104,000 in Melbourne and AUD 95,300 in Adelaide.

Rent-Affordability Reference for a Single Renter

City	Median Unit Rent (Weekly)	Gross Income at 30% Rent Share
Sydney	AUD 780	~AUD 135,200
Perth	AUD 700	~AUD 121,300
Brisbane	AUD 660	~AUD 114,400
Melbourne	AUD 600	~AUD 104,000
Adelaide	AUD 550	~AUD 95,300

This is a comparison tool, not an official “comfortable salary” threshold. The ABS housing affordability methodology most commonly applies the 30% benchmark to lower-income households. Sharing accommodation lowers the income needed, while larger homes, childcare and schooling push family budgets higher.

Is AUD 100,000 a Good Salary in Australia?

AUD 100,000 goes much further in some cities than others. At that salary, median unit rent would take about 41% of gross income in Sydney, 36% in Perth, 34% in Brisbane, 31% in Melbourne and 29% in Adelaide.

That is why a salary that feels comfortable in Adelaide may feel much tighter in Sydney, especially if you are renting alone.

Five things the average salary figure does not tell you:

• The average is pulled higher by top earners, so the median is a better guide to typical pay.
• Salary figures are usually gross, before income tax and the Medicare levy.
• Superannuation may be quoted on top of salary or included in the total package.
• Full-time averages exclude the large part-time workforce.
• Your city and industry can shift both what you earn and how far that salary goes.

Which Industries Pay the Highest Salaries in Australia?

Mining is currently the highest-paying industry in Australia by a clear margin, with average full-time ordinary-time earnings equivalent to about AUD 167,660 a year. Information media and telecommunications, utilities, professional services and finance also sit well above the national average.

These figures show where average pay is highest, not where jobs are easiest to get. Skills shortages are a separate question, and sectors such as healthcare and construction can offer stronger hiring demand even though their average earnings sit outside the top seven.

Highest-Paying Industries in Australia

Industry	Average Weekly Ordinary-Time Earnings (AUD)	Annualised Equivalent (AUD)
Mining	3,224.20	~167,660
Information media and telecommunications	2,714.10	~141,130
Electricity, gas, water and waste services	2,546.00	~132,390
Professional, scientific and technical services	2,389.60	~124,260
Financial and insurance services	2,341.30	~121,750
Education and training	2,197.90	~114,290
Public administration and safety	2,179.80	~113,350

Source: ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026. Annual figures are weekly earnings multiplied by 52, not official ABS annual salaries.

The main takeaway for UK movers is that high pay and strong demand are not the same thing. Mining leads on earnings, while sectors such as healthcare, education and construction become more important when you look at persistent skills shortages and hiring opportunities.

Where Are Skills Actually in Shortage?

The highest-paying industries are not always the ones with the strongest hiring demand. Jobs and Skills Australia’s Occupation Shortage List shows that shortages remain concentrated in areas such as healthcare, education, construction and engineering-related trades, while many business, finance and ICT occupations moved out of shortage in 2025.

For UK movers, that distinction matters. A sector can pay well without being particularly short of workers, while another can offer stronger job prospects even if its average salary is lower.

Nursing is a good example. The UK is an NMBA-approved comparable jurisdiction, so eligible internationally qualified registered nurses may be able to use streamlined registration pathways. Processing can take around one to six months, depending on eligibility and documentation, and applicants generally need at least 1,800 hours of practice in an approved comparable jurisdiction.

For trades and other regulated professions, the rules vary by occupation and state. Check the specific licensing or recognition requirements before assuming a UK qualification transfers automatically.

Minimum Wage, Tax and Superannuation

Australia’s National Minimum Wage is AUD 26.44 an hour from 1 July 2026, or AUD 1,004.90 for a standard 38-hour week. Annualised, that is about AUD 52,255.

The national rate mainly matters where an employee is not covered by an award or registered agreement. Many Australian jobs are covered by an award, and the minimum rate for a particular role can be higher. Casual employees on the National Minimum Wage receive at least AUD 33.05 an hour, including the 25% casual loading.

Check Fair Work’s minimum wage guidance for the rate that applies to your job.

Is Super Included in an Australian Salary?

Not always. Some job offers quote a base salary plus super, while others give a total package including super.

The current Super Guarantee rate is 12%, so that distinction matters when comparing offers. An AUD 100,000 salary plus super is worth more in cash terms than an AUD 100,000 package that already includes it. See the ATO’s current Super Guarantee rate.

Tax and Take-Home Pay

For Australian resident taxpayers in 2026–27, the first AUD 18,200 is tax-free. Income is then taxed in marginal bands:

• AUD 18,201 to 45,000: 15%
• AUD 45,001 to 135,000: 30%
• AUD 135,001 to 190,000: 37%
• Above AUD 190,000: 45%

The Medicare levy generally adds 2% of taxable income, subject to reductions and exemptions. Check Moneysmart’s current income tax rates before estimating your take-home pay.

UK residents who meet the reciprocal healthcare agreement eligibility rules can access certain medically necessary Medicare services from arrival. That is not the same as comprehensive private health cover, and permanent migrants may qualify for Medicare separately through their immigration status.

Planning Your Move

A strong salary does not remove the need for a separate relocation budget. Before you move, allow for one-off costs such as shipping your belongings to Australia, visa fees and temporary accommodation.

Our guides to the hidden costs of moving to Australia and the moving to Australia checklist cover the wider planning in more detail.

Quick budgeting checklist before you move:

1. Convert your target salary into GBP at the current exchange rate, then test how your budget looks if the rate moves against you.
2. Check current rent in the suburb you actually want to live in, not just the city average.
3. Confirm your Medicare eligibility and whether you still need private health cover.
4. Keep relocation costs separate from your normal monthly budget.
5. Hold a cash buffer for the first few months, when deposits, setup costs and delays can push spending higher.

If you are still deciding where to settle, our guide to the best places to live in Australia compares the wider trade-offs beyond salary alone.

Expert Viewpoint: What the Numbers Really Mean for Your Move

When comparing Australian job offers, look beyond the national average. The more useful benchmark is what your occupation pays in the area you want to live, and how much of that salary will go on housing. Western Australia currently has higher average full-time earnings than New South Wales, for example, but Sydney still has higher rents than Perth.

Also check exactly how the offer is structured. A salary quoted plus super is different from a total package that already includes super, and your Medicare eligibility can affect how much you need to allow for healthcare.

Once the numbers work for your household, request a free, no-obligation quote to put a firm figure on the relocation itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is $100k a good salary in Australia? 

AUD 100,000 sits above the national median of AUD 90,530 but below the national average of AUD 108,350, a solid rather than exceptional salary nationally. At that income, a median Sydney unit takes about 41% of gross pay, against 36% in Perth, 34% in Brisbane, 31% in Melbourne and 29% in Adelaide.

Is the cost of living higher in Australia than in the UK? 

Somewhat, but not dramatically. The OECD’s comparative price level put Australia at 108 against the UK’s 104 in 2024, where 100 is the OECD average, a real but moderate gap. The bigger factor for most movers is which specific city and area they choose, since rents alone vary far more than that national difference suggests.

What is a comfortable salary for a family in Australia? 

There is no single comfortable family salary in Australia, because city, childcare, housing and the number of earners all matter. As a housing-only reference, a Sydney family renting the current median house at AUD 850 a week would need about AUD 147,000 in gross household income for rent to equal 30% of income, before childcare and other costs.

How much is the average salary in Australia per month? 

The current average full-time earnings figure is equivalent to roughly AUD 9,030 a month before tax, or approximately £4,740 at current exchange rates. This is a monthly equivalent calculated from ABS’s weekly earnings data, not a separate monthly survey, and doesn’t account for tax, the Medicare levy or superannuation.

Do I pay UK tax on an Australian salary? 

You normally won’t pay UK tax on Australian employment income once you’re non-UK resident for tax purposes, but the year you actually leave can be more complicated, since split-year treatment may apply, and any UK-source income can remain taxable regardless. Check GOV.UK’s guidance on UK residence and foreign income for your specific situation.

---

Salary, rent, tax and minimum wage figures in this guide are based on ABS, Fair Work, Domain, OECD and Jobs and Skills Australia data as cited, and change regularly, in the case of ABS Average Weekly Earnings, twice a year. Confirm current figures directly with these sources before relying on them. Last updated 24 August 2026.