The median full-time salary in Australia is approximately $84,000 per year (before tax), meaning half of all full-time workers earn more and half earn less. The median income across all adult income earners (including part-time and casual workers) is lower — approximately $62,000–$65,000 per year.
These figures come from the ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) Average Weekly Earnings survey, released twice yearly.
Median vs Average Income in Australia
| Measure | 2024–25 Estimate |
|---|---|
| Average full-time earnings | $100,568/year |
| Median full-time earnings | ~$84,000/year |
| Average all-person earnings | ~$85,000/year |
| Median all-person earnings | ~$62,000–$65,000/year |
The average is pulled higher by very high earners (executives, surgeons, mining professionals). The median gives a truer picture of what a typical Australian earns — it is the middle value when all incomes are ranked from lowest to highest.
Why Is the Median Lower Than the Average?
Australian income distribution is right-skewed — a relatively small number of very high earners significantly lift the average. For example:
- A surgeon earning $500,000 and two nurses earning $90,000 have an average of $226,667, but a median of $90,000
- The same pattern applies nationally — the top 10% of earners hold a disproportionate share of income, pulling the average up
The median better reflects the typical Australian worker’s income. The average is influenced by outliers.
Median Income by State (Full-Time Workers, 2024–25 Estimates)
| State / Territory | Median Full-Time Earnings (Est.) |
|---|---|
| ACT | ~$100,000 |
| WA | ~$92,000 |
| NSW | ~$87,000 |
| VIC | ~$83,000 |
| QLD | ~$80,000 |
| SA | ~$75,000 |
| TAS | ~$73,000 |
| NT | ~$82,000 |
State median estimates derived from ABS Average Weekly Earnings state data and ATO income distribution tables.
Median Income by Age Group (All Earners, 2024–25 Estimates)
| Age Group | Estimated Median Annual Income |
|---|---|
| 20–24 | ~$42,000 |
| 25–34 | ~$65,000 |
| 35–44 | ~$75,000 |
| 45–54 | ~$73,000 |
| 55–64 | ~$65,000 |
| 65+ | ~$35,000 |
Income peaks in the 35–54 age group for most Australians, reflecting career progression and experience. The over-65 group includes many part-time or retired workers with lower employment income.
Median vs Average: Which Should You Use?
Use the median when asking:
- “How do I compare to a typical Australian?”
- “What does a normal income look like?”
- “Am I earning more or less than most people?”
Use the average when calculating:
- Total household income for an area
- Aggregate economic data
- Planning for a group of workers
For personal income benchmarking, the median is almost always the more relevant figure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median income in Australia in 2025?
The median full-time salary in Australia is approximately $84,000/year. The median for all adult earners (including part-time and casual) is approximately $62,000–$65,000/year, based on ABS data to November 2024.
Is $70,000 above the median income in Australia?
Yes — $70,000 is above the median for all adult earners (approximately $62,000–$65,000) and slightly below the median for full-time workers ($84,000). Where you fall depends on whether you’re comparing to all earners or full-time workers only.
What is the average income in Australia compared to the median?
The average full-time salary ($100,568) is approximately $16,000–$17,000 higher than the median full-time salary (~$84,000). This gap reflects the influence of high-income earners on the average. The median is considered the more accurate representation of a typical Australian’s income.
Related Guides
- Average Salary Australia 2025–26
- Income Percentile Calculator Australia
- What Is a Good Salary in Australia?
- Income Section Home
All income figures are estimates based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings (November 2024) and ATO income distribution data. Figures will vary as new data is published. This is general information only.