What Is a Good Salary in Australia in 2025–26?
This article provides general information only and does not constitute financial advice. For advice tailored to your situation, consult a licensed financial adviser. Learn more.
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A good salary in Australia is generally considered to be anything above $90,000–$100,000 per year — above the median full-time wage and enough to live comfortably in most Australian cities. However, what counts as “good” depends heavily on where you live, your household size, and your financial goals.
In Sydney and Melbourne, housing costs are significantly higher, meaning a salary that provides a comfortable life in Brisbane or Adelaide may feel tight in the inner suburbs of Australia’s two largest cities.
Key Takeaways
- The median full-time salary in Australia is approximately $84,000/year
- $100,000+ puts you in roughly the top 25% of full-time earners
- In Sydney, a “comfortable” individual budget typically requires $90,000–$110,000/year
- $70,000–$85,000 is a solid middle-income salary outside major metropolitan areas
- The national minimum wage is $47,627/year — considered the baseline for survival budgeting
Income Percentiles: Where Do You Rank?
| Annual Salary | Full-Time Percentile | All Workers Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | ~15th | ~35th |
| $65,000 | ~30th | ~50th |
| $80,000 | ~50th | ~65th |
| $90,000 | ~60th | ~72nd |
| $100,000 | ~70th | ~80th |
| $120,000 | ~82nd | ~88th |
| $150,000 | ~91st | ~94th |
| $200,000+ | ~97th | ~98th |
Estimates based on ABS Characteristics of Employment and ATO Tax Statistics FY2023–24. Full-time percentiles cover permanent and fixed-term employees working 35+ hours. All-worker percentiles include part-time, casual, and self-employed.
Use the income percentile calculator to find your exact ranking.
What Different Salary Levels Mean in Practice
$50,000–$65,000 — Below Average, Liveable Regionally
After tax, $60,000 leaves roughly $48,000–$50,000 in take-home pay — around $962/week. This is workable in regional Australia or share housing in most cities, but tight in Sydney or Melbourne if paying market rent.
$70,000–$85,000 — Solid Middle Income
This range covers the median full-time salary. After tax, $80,000 yields approximately $61,900/year ($1,190/week). Comfortable living is achievable in most Australian cities, with some capacity for saving.
$90,000–$110,000 — Comfortable in Most Cities
Above average by most measures. After tax, $100,000 provides approximately $74,000–$75,000/year ($1,423/week). In Brisbane, Perth, or Adelaide, this supports a solid lifestyle with savings capacity. In Sydney or Melbourne, it covers costs with discipline.
$120,000–$150,000 — High Income
Top 20% of earners. Provides financial flexibility, meaningful savings capacity, and access to mortgage lending for a median-priced home in most cities (excluding inner Sydney and Melbourne).
$200,000+ — Top Earner
Top 3–5% of all workers. Typically in senior management, medicine, law, mining, or finance. At this level, Division 293 super tax applies (extra 15% contributions tax above $250,000 in income plus contributions).
Good Salary by City
What counts as a “good” salary varies significantly by location, primarily driven by median rents and property prices.
| City | Comfortable Single Income | Comfortable Dual Income (Family) |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | $100,000–$120,000 | $180,000–$220,000 |
| Melbourne | $90,000–$110,000 | $160,000–$200,000 |
| Brisbane | $80,000–$95,000 | $140,000–$170,000 |
| Perth | $85,000–$100,000 | $150,000–$180,000 |
| Adelaide | $75,000–$90,000 | $130,000–$160,000 |
| Canberra | $90,000–$110,000 | $160,000–$200,000 |
| Hobart | $70,000–$85,000 | $120,000–$150,000 |
“Comfortable” is defined as covering median rent, groceries, utilities, transport, health insurance, and reasonable discretionary spending with some savings capacity. Not intended as financial advice.
The $100,000 Question
$100,000 is often cited as the psychological threshold for a “good salary” in Australia. In reality:
- It places you at roughly the 70th percentile of full-time workers
- Your take-home pay is approximately $74,000/year ($1,423/week) — not as large as it sounds gross
- In Sydney, median rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is approximately $42,000/year ($800/week), leaving limited surplus on $100,000 alone
- As a dual-income household at $100,000 each, the picture is substantially more comfortable
Whether $100,000 is “good” depends on your circumstances — not just the number itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is $80,000 a good salary in Australia?
$80,000 is around the median full-time salary in Australia — about the 50th percentile for full-time workers. It provides a comfortable life in regional areas and most non-Sydney/Melbourne cities, but requires careful budgeting in high-cost areas. After tax, take-home is approximately $61,900/year.
Is $100,000 a good salary in Australia?
Yes, $100,000 is a strong salary — above the average and roughly the 70th percentile for full-time workers. After tax it yields around $74,000/year. Comfortable in most cities, though tight for Sydney renters living alone.
Is $120,000 a good salary in Australia in 2025?
$120,000 is a high salary in Australia, placing you in approximately the top 20% of full-time earners. After tax and Medicare levy, take-home is around $87,000/year ($1,673/week). Provides solid savings capacity in most cities, including Sydney and Melbourne.
What salary do I need to buy a house in Australia?
Using a typical 6× income lending multiple, a single borrower on $100,000 could borrow approximately $600,000. Given median house prices of $780,000 nationally (and $1.4M+ in Sydney), dual incomes or substantial deposits are often required. See the mortgage borrowing guides for city-specific detail.
What is the average salary in Australia in 2025?
The average full-time adult ordinary time salary is $100,568 per year (ABS, November 2024). The median — a more representative figure — is approximately $84,000 for full-time workers.
Related Guides
- Average Salary Australia 2025–26
- Income Percentile Calculator Australia
- Good Salary in Sydney
- Good Salary in Melbourne
- $100,000 Salary After Tax Australia
- $80,000 Salary After Tax Australia
Income percentile estimates are based on ABS and ATO data. Cost of living figures are indicative and will vary by individual circumstances. This is general information only — for personalised financial advice, speak with a licensed financial adviser.