What is a good salary in Australia? Benchmarks and take-home pay for 2026-27

What is a good salary in Australia?

If you are wondering what is a good salary in Australia, the answer depends on your personal circumstances, but you can get a clear picture by comparing your pay against official benchmarks. The national minimum wage and the average full-time ordinary time earnings give you two reference points. From there, you can work out your take-home pay after income tax and the Medicare levy.

The national minimum wage benchmark

Fair Work Ombudsman sets the national minimum wage at $26.44 per hour, which works out to $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. Over 52 weeks, that is $52,255 per year. This is the legal floor for most employees. If you earn less than this, your employer is breaking the law. You can check the Minimum wage page for more details.

Full-time ordinary time earnings

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes Average Weekly Earnings. For May 2026, the seasonally adjusted figure for full-time adult ordinary time earnings is $2,083.70 per week, or $108,352 per year. This excludes overtime and employer super contributions. It represents the typical earnings of a full-time employee. If your salary is around this level, you are earning what the average full-time worker earns. If you are above it, you are doing better than most.

All employees average

The ABS also reports average weekly total earnings for all employees (including part-time) at $1,579.20 per week, or $82,118 per year. This is lower because it includes part-time workers. If you earn above this, you are above the overall average across all employment types.

How to assess your own salary

To decide what is a good salary in Australia for you, consider your industry, location, experience, and the cost of living. A salary of $80,000 might be comfortable in regional areas but tight in Sydney or Melbourne. The Benchmarks page has more data by role and sector.

Take-home pay after tax and Medicare

Your take-home pay is what reaches your bank account after income tax and the Medicare levy. For 2026-27, the Australian Taxation Office applies these resident tax rates:

• $0 – $18,200: Nil
• $18,201 – $45,000: 15c for each $1 over $18,200
• $45,001 – $135,000: $4,020 plus 30c for each $1 over $45,000
• $135,001 – $190,000: $31,020 plus 37c for each $1 over $135,000
• $190,001 and over: $51,370 plus 45c for each $1 over $190,000

These rates do not include the Medicare levy of 2% of your taxable income. Most full-time employees pay the full 2%. The latest published single-person Medicare thresholds are $28,011 and $35,013. If your taxable income is below $28,011, you pay no Medicare levy. Between $28,011 and $35,013, the levy is reduced on a sliding scale. Above $35,013, you pay the full 2%.

Example calculations

• $52,255 (minimum wage): Tax = $4,020 + 30c on $7,255 = $4,020 + $2,176.50 = $6,196.50. Medicare levy = 2% of $52,255 = $1,045.10. Total deductions = $7,241.60. Take-home = $45,013.40 per year, or about $1,731 per fortnight.
• $80,000: Tax = $4,020 + 30c on $35,000 = $4,020 + $10,500 = $14,520. Medicare = $1,600. Total = $16,120. Take-home = $63,880 per year, about $2,457 per fortnight.
• $108,352 (full-time ordinary average): Tax = $4,020 + 30c on $63,352 = $4,020 + $19,005.60 = $23,025.60. Medicare = $2,167.04. Total = $25,192.64. Take-home = $83,159.36 per year, about $3,198 per fortnight.

These are estimates only. They exclude the Low Income Tax Offset (LITO), HELP/HECS repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary sacrifice. Use the Take-home pay page for a more personalised calculation.

Super is extra

Employer super contributions are 12% from 1 July 2026, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. Super is not deducted from your take-home pay if the job ad says "plus super". Your salary figure is the base, and super is on top. For example, on $80,000 plus super, your employer pays an extra $9,600 into your super fund. That money is not available until you retire, but it is part of your total remuneration. See the Super guide for more.

Putting it together

So what is a good salary in Australia? If you earn above the full-time ordinary time average of $108,352, you are in the top half of full-time earners. If you earn between $80,000 and $100,000, you are above the all-employees average and likely living comfortably in most areas. If you earn the minimum wage of $52,255, you are at the legal floor and may struggle with rising costs. Your take-home pay after tax and Medicare will be around $45,000, which is tight for a single person in a major city.

Remember that your net pay also depends on deductions, offsets, and whether you salary package. The Salary packaging page explains how you can reduce your taxable income. For a full breakdown of your situation, use the Clearance tool to estimate your after-tax salary.