Average Income Australia – 2024 Stats, States and Taxes

Australia’s full-time workforce currently commands an average weekly ordinary time income of A$1,923.40, translating to approximately A$100,000 annually before tax. Yet this headline figure masks a significant disparity: the median Australian salary sits closer to A$65,000, revealing how high-income earners skew the mathematical average upward.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics released these latest earnings benchmarks in May 2024, capturing a 4.6% annual increase—the strongest non-pandemic wage growth recorded since 2013. Understanding these numbers requires distinguishing between gross averages reported by employers and the take-home pay that actually reaches bank accounts.

This analysis examines state-by-state variations, after-tax realities, and the widening gap between median and mean earnings that defines Australia’s current economic landscape.

What is the average income in Australia?

The headline figure of A$1,923.40 per week represents ordinary time earnings for full-time adults, excluding overtime and bonuses. When total earnings including overtime are calculated, the weekly figure rises to A$1,996.40, according to ABS data for May 2024.

• Wage Growth: Full-time earnings increased 4.6% annually to May 2024, outpacing many inflationary pressures.
• Sector Divide: Public sector workers earn A$2,156.60 weekly on average, approximately 10.5% more than private sector counterparts at A$1,951.50.
• Gender Disparity: Male full-time workers average A$2,112.90 weekly in ordinary time earnings, while females earn A$1,811.00 for equivalent hours.
• Global Standing: Australia ranks sixth globally for net monthly salary, supported by one of the world’s highest minimum wage rates at A$24.10 hourly, according to Relocate.me.
• Inequality Reality: Over 75% of Australian workers earn below the full-time average, highlighting how mean figures misrepresent typical experience.
• Tax Impact: A gross salary of A$100,000 yields approximately A$73,476 after tax, representing a 26.6% effective tax rate.

Average income by state in Australia

Geographic location significantly influences earning potential, with resource-rich Western Australia consistently leading national wage tables. However, the most recent state-specific data from the ABS originates from November 2023, predating the May 2024 national figures by six months.

Highest earning regions

Western Australia recorded average weekly ordinary time earnings of A$2,108 in November 2023, driven largely by the mining and resources sector. The Australian Capital Territory followed closely at A$2,080 weekly, reflecting the concentration of public sector professionals in Canberra.

Lowest earning states

Tasmania reported the lowest weekly earnings at A$1,670, with South Australia only marginally higher at A$1,735 during the same period. These figures suggest a spread of more than A$400 weekly between the highest and lowest earning jurisdictions, though updated 2024 state breakdowns remain pending. For the most up-to-date figures, you can find detailed breakdowns of Australian income statistics at $Westpac contact number Australia.

What is a good salary in Australia?

Determining what constitutes a “good” salary requires moving beyond gross figures to consider taxation, household composition, and geographic living costs. While A$100,000 represents the mathematical average, it sits well above the median experience of most workers.

After-tax reality

Taxation significantly alters the practical value of gross salaries. According to Relocate.me salary data, the gap between gross and net income determines actual purchasing power for Australian households.