{"id":86121,"date":"2026-10-26T11:29:40","date_gmt":"2026-10-26T11:29:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/?p=86121"},"modified":"2026-10-26T11:29:41","modified_gmt":"2026-10-26T11:29:41","slug":"average-salary-in-australia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/average-salary-in-australia\/","title":{"rendered":"Average Salary in Australia 2026: What Indian Graduates Actually Earn"},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\"><\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 10<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">min read<\/span><\/span>\n<div class=\"quick-read-box\">\n\n  <div class=\"qr-header\">\n    <span style=\"font-size:18px;\">\u26a1<\/span>\n    <h3 class=\"qr-title\">Quick Read<\/h3>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <ul>\n    <li>Full-time average salary in Australia reached AUD 2,083.70 per week (AUD 108,352 per year) in May 2026, per the ABS.<\/li>\n\n    <li>The median annual salary is AUD 74,672, a more realistic figure for what most full-time workers earn.<\/li>\n\n    <li>Canberra (ACT) and Western Australia pay the most, while mining is the top-earning industry at AUD 3,224.20 per week nationally.<\/li>\n\n    <li>An AUD 80,000 salary leaves you with about AUD 63,880 in hand after tax and the Medicare Levy, using 2026-27 ATO rates.<\/li>\n\n    <li>AUD 26.44 per hour is the legal minimum from 1 July 2026, crossing the AUD 1,000 weekly mark for the first time.<\/li>\n\n  <\/ul>\n\n  <div class=\"qr-footer\">\n\ud83d\udc49 Best for: Indian graduates and students planning to work in Australia who want to know what they can realistically earn before and after tax, by state and by field.\n  <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_68_1 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Content<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #192a3d;color:#192a3d\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #192a3d;color:#192a3d\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/average-salary-in-australia\/#How_Much_Does_Australia_Actually_Pay_in_2026\" title=\"How Much Does Australia Actually Pay in 2026?\">How Much Does Australia Actually Pay in 2026?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/average-salary-in-australia\/#Average_Salary_in_Australia_by_State_2026\" title=\"Average Salary in Australia by State (2026)\">Average Salary in Australia by State (2026)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/average-salary-in-australia\/#Average_Salaries_in_Australia_by_Industry_2026\" title=\"Average Salaries in Australia by Industry (2026)\">Average Salaries in Australia by Industry (2026)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/average-salary-in-australia\/#Average_Salary_in_Australia_After_Tax_What_You_Actually_Take_Home\" title=\"Average Salary in Australia After Tax: What You Actually Take Home\">Average Salary in Australia After Tax: What You Actually Take Home<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/average-salary-in-australia\/#Average_Salary_in_Australia_by_Age_2026\" title=\"Average Salary in Australia by Age (2026)\">Average Salary in Australia by Age (2026)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/average-salary-in-australia\/#Average_Salary_in_Australia_What_This_Means_for_Indian_Graduates\" title=\"Average Salary in Australia: What This Means for Indian Graduates\">Average Salary in Australia: What This Means for Indian Graduates<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/average-salary-in-australia\/#Key_Takeaways_on_Average_Salary_in_Australia\" title=\"Key Takeaways on Average Salary in Australia\">Key Takeaways on Average Salary in Australia<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/average-salary-in-australia\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions_About_Average_Salary_in_Australia\" title=\"Frequently Asked Questions About Average Salary in Australia\">Frequently Asked Questions About Average Salary in Australia<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Much_Does_Australia_Actually_Pay_in_2026\"><\/span><strong>How Much Does Australia Actually Pay in 2026?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.abs.gov.au\/media-centre\/media-releases\/average-weekly-earnings-growth-lowest-2022\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.abs.gov.au\/media-centre\/media-releases\/average-weekly-earnings-growth-lowest-2022\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Average Weekly Earnings release<\/a> for May 2026, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings were AUD 2,083.70 per week. Annualised, this figure means the average salary in Australia is AUD 108,352 before tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two figures get quoted, and they tell very different stories:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Average salary:<\/strong> AUD 108,352 per year, pushed up by a small number of very high earners in mining, finance and tech.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Median salary:<\/strong> AUD 74,672 per year. The median is the midpoint and the number that better reflects what most full-time workers actually take home.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are an international graduate trying to plan your finances, the median is the more useful benchmark. The average sounds better, but it reflects what a senior mining engineer in Western Australia earns, not what a graduate nurse or software developer starts on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is AUD 26.44 per hour, the first time it has crossed AUD 1,000 per week. This was set by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fairwork.gov.au\/about-us\/workplace-laws\/award-changes\/gender-undervaluation-priority-awards-review\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fairwork.gov.au\/about-us\/workplace-laws\/award-changes\/gender-undervaluation-priority-awards-review\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fair Work Commission 2026 Annual Wage Review<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>My Insight:<\/em><\/strong> <em>Many students quote the AUD 108,352 average to their families back home. That number includes senior public servants in Canberra and FIFO workers in the Pilbara. For a fresh graduate arriving on a Subclass 485 visa, the real first-year salary is closer to AUD 60,000 to AUD 75,000, depending on your field. Start with the median, plan conservatively, and any extra is a bonus.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Average_Salary_in_Australia_by_State_2026\"><\/span><strong>Average Salary in Australia by State (2026)<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Where you live and work in <a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/australia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Australia<\/a> makes a significant difference. ACT tops the list largely because Canberra runs on federal government jobs, which tend to pay well. WA sits second because of mining. The resources and energy sector there generates some of the highest individual salaries in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Indian graduates, NSW and Victoria are the most common landing spots because of Sydney and Melbourne, but the average salary in those states is not far above Queensland or South Australia. Cost of living, particularly rent, narrows the practical difference considerably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ABS data for May 2026 shows the following full-time adult ordinary time earnings by state:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>State \/ Territory<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Avg Weekly Earnings (AUD)<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Avg Annual Salary (AUD)<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Avg Annual Salary (INR)<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Australian Capital Territory (ACT)<\/td><td>AUD 2,289.40<\/td><td>AUD 119,049<\/td><td>Rs. 79.2L<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Western Australia (WA)<\/td><td>AUD 2,227.60<\/td><td>AUD 115,835<\/td><td>Rs. 77.1L<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>New South Wales (NSW)<\/td><td>AUD 2,109.20<\/td><td>AUD 109,678<\/td><td>Rs. 73L<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Victoria (VIC)<\/td><td>AUD 2,050.00<\/td><td>AUD 106,600<\/td><td>Rs. 70.9L<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Queensland (QLD)<\/td><td>AUD 2,020.00<\/td><td>AUD 105,040<\/td><td>Rs. 69.9L<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>South Australia (SA)<\/td><td>AUD 1,924.00<\/td><td>AUD 100,048<\/td><td>Rs. 66.6L<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Tasmania (TAS)<\/td><td>AUD 1,865.60<\/td><td>AUD 97,011<\/td><td>Rs. 64.5L<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Exchange rate:<\/em><\/strong> <em>1 AUD = Rs.66.53 (as of 26 October 2026).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Source:<\/em><\/strong> <em>ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>For a full picture of what it costs to live in each state, see our guide on the<\/em> <em><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/cost-of-living-in-australia-for-international-students\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/a><\/em><em><u><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/cost-of-living-in-australia-for-international-students\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cost of living in Australia for international students<\/a><\/u><\/em><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Average_Salaries_in_Australia_by_Industry_2026\"><\/span><strong>Average Salaries in Australia by Industry (2026)<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Industry matters more than the state for most graduates. The table below uses full-time adult average weekly earnings by industry, drawn from ABS data (Nov 2025 to May 2026) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jobsandskills.gov.au\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jobsandskills.gov.au\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jobs and Skills Australia occupation profiles<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Industry<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Avg Weekly Earnings (AUD)<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Avg Annual Salary (AUD)<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Avg Annual Salary (INR)<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Mining<\/td><td>AUD 3,224.20<\/td><td>AUD 167,658<\/td><td>Rs. 1.12Cr<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Information Media and Telecommunications<\/td><td>AUD 2,714.10<\/td><td>AUD 141,133<\/td><td>Rs. 93.9L<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services<\/td><td>AUD 2,363.00<\/td><td>AUD 122,876<\/td><td>Rs. 81.7L<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Professional, Scientific and Technical Services<\/td><td>AUD 2,239.00<\/td><td>AUD 116,428<\/td><td>Rs. 77.5L<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Financial and Insurance Services<\/td><td>AUD 2,183.00<\/td><td>AUD 113,516<\/td><td>Rs. 75.5L<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Public Administration and Safety<\/td><td>AUD 2,008.00<\/td><td>AUD 104,416<\/td><td>Rs. 69.5L<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Health Care and Social Assistance<\/td><td>AUD 1,952.00<\/td><td>AUD 101,504<\/td><td>Rs. 67.5L<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Education and Training<\/td><td>AUD 1,950.00<\/td><td>AUD 101,400<\/td><td>Rs. 67.5L<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Construction<\/td><td>AUD 1,780.00<\/td><td>AUD 92,560<\/td><td>Rs. 61.6L<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Accommodation and Food Services<\/td><td>AUD 1,200.00<\/td><td>AUD 62,400<\/td><td>Rs. 41.5L<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Exchange rate:<\/em><\/strong> <em>1 AUD = Rs.66.53 (as of 26 October 2026).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Source:<\/em><\/strong> <em>ABS Average Weekly Earnings (Cat. 6302.0), May 2026; Jobs and Skills Australia.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Indian graduates, the most common fields are IT, engineering, health and accounting. Most of these graduates earn between AUD 100,000 and AUD 140,000 at mid-career. Hospitality and food services pay much less, usually between AUD 60,000 and AUD 65,000, and are common first jobs for students on a Subclass 500 visa with work rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>For a breakdown of the highest-paying careers for Indian graduates, see the LeapScholar guide on the<\/em> <em><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/highest-paying-jobs-in-australia-for-indian\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/a><\/em><em><u><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/highest-paying-jobs-in-australia-for-indian\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">highest paying jobs in Australia for Indians<\/a><\/u><\/em><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Average_Salary_in_Australia_After_Tax_What_You_Actually_Take_Home\"><\/span><strong>Average Salary in Australia After Tax: What You Actually Take Home<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Australia uses a progressive income tax system with no state-level income tax. You also pay a 2% Medicare Levy on top. Employers contribute 12% superannuation on top of your salary as a separate payment. Super does not reduce your take-home, but you cannot access it until retirement or until you permanently leave Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 2026-27 tax brackets (effective 1 July 2026) are 0% on the first AUD 18,200; 16% from AUD 18,201 to AUD 45,000; 30% from AUD 45,001 to AUD 135,000; and 37% from AUD 135,001 to AUD 190,000; 45% above AUD 190,000. Changed from 15% to 16%, ATO Stage 3 rate effective 1 July 2024, unchanged for 2026-27.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Gross Annual Salary (AUD)<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Income Tax + Medicare (AUD)<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Take-Home Per Year (AUD)<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Take-Home Per Month (AUD)<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Take-Home Per Month (INR)<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Gross Annual Salary (AUD)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Income Tax + Medicare (AUD)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Take-Home Per Year (AUD)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Take-Home Per Month (AUD)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Take-Home Per Month (INR)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>AUD 60,000<\/td><td>AUD 9,620<\/td><td>AUD 50,380<\/td><td>AUD 4,198<\/td><td>Rs. 2.79L<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>AUD 75,000<\/td><td>AUD 14,788<\/td><td>AUD 60,212<\/td><td>AUD 5,018<\/td><td>Rs. 3.34L<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>AUD 80,000<\/td><td>AUD 16,120<\/td><td>AUD 63,880<\/td><td>AUD 5,323<\/td><td>Rs.3.54L<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>AUD 100,000<\/td><td>AUD 22,067<\/td><td>AUD 77,933<\/td><td>AUD 6,494<\/td><td>Rs. 4.32L<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>AUD 120,000<\/td><td>AUD 30,067<\/td><td>AUD 89,933<\/td><td>AUD 7,494<\/td><td>Rs. 4.99L<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>This amount is based on the 2026-27 ATO resident tax rates, which include the Medicare Levy. Excludes HECS-HELP repayments, which apply if you hold an Australian student loan.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Exchange rate:<\/em><\/strong> <em>1 AUD = Rs.66.53 (as of 26 October 2026).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Source:<\/em><\/strong> <strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ato.gov.au\/rates\/individual-income-tax-rates\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/a><\/em><\/strong><em><u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ato.gov.au\/rates\/individual-income-tax-rates\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Australian Taxation Office (ATO) income tax rates<\/a><\/u><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Two things Indian graduates often overlook:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Super is separate.<\/strong> Your AUD 80,000 salary means your employer pays an additional AUD 9,600 into your super fund on top of that. You cannot touch the superannuation until you retire or permanently leave Australia, at which point you can claim it as a Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>HECS-HELP repayments<\/strong> kick in if you studied in Australia on a student loan. These repayments are deducted from your take-home pay before you receive your salary, using a sliding scale that starts at an income of AUD 51,550.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Average_Salary_in_Australia_by_Age_2026\"><\/span><strong>Average Salary in Australia by Age (2026)<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Australia, your earning power tends to build steadily through your 20s and 30s. Workers under 25 earn well below the national average, often on part-time or entry-level hours. Pay usually reaches its highest point for people aged 45 to 54, after which it levels off through the late working years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For most Indian graduates arriving at 22 to 26 years old on a post-study work visa, the realistic starting range is AUD 55,000 to AUD 75,000, depending on the field. By the early 30s, with two to three years of local work experience, salaries typically rise to AUD 80,000 to AUD 100,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Age Group<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Approx. Weekly Earnings (AUD)<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Approx. Annual Salary (AUD)<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Approx. Annual Salary (INR)<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Under 20<\/td><td>AUD 600 to AUD 800<\/td><td>AUD 31,200 to AUD 41,600<\/td><td>Rs. 20.8L to Rs. 27.7L<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>20 to 24<\/td><td>AUD 1,100 to AUD 1,300<\/td><td>AUD 57,200 to AUD 67,600<\/td><td>Rs. 38.1L to Rs. 45L<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>25 to 34<\/td><td>AUD 1,600 to AUD 1,900<\/td><td>AUD 83,200 to AUD 98,800<\/td><td>Rs. 55.3L to Rs. 65.7L<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>35 to 44<\/td><td>AUD 1,900 to AUD 2,200<\/td><td>AUD 98,800 to AUD 114,400<\/td><td>Rs. 65.7L to Rs. 76.1L<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>45 to 54<\/td><td>AUD 2,100 to AUD 2,400<\/td><td>AUD 109,200 to AUD 124,800<\/td><td>Rs. 72.7L to Rs. 83L<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>55 to 64<\/td><td>AUD 2,000 to AUD 2,200<\/td><td>AUD 104,000 to AUD 114,400<\/td><td>Rs. 69.2L to Rs. 76.1L<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Exchange rate:<\/em><\/strong> <em>1 AUD = Rs.66.53 (as of 26 October 2026).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Source:<\/em><\/strong> <em>ABS Average Weekly Earnings and Personal Income data, 2025-26 reference period.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>My Insight:<\/em><\/strong> <em>When students calculate whether Australia is worth it financially, they often forget the HECS-HELP repayment. If you studied in Australia and took a student loan, repayments start automatically once you cross the AUD 51,550 income threshold. On AUD 75,000, you owe an additional 3.5% of your income back as a repayment, roughly AUD 2,625 a year coming straight off your pay before you see it. Factor these repayments in before deciding whether to stay on a 485 visa or head home.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Average_Salary_in_Australia_What_This_Means_for_Indian_Graduates\"><\/span><strong>Average Salary in Australia: What This Means for Indian Graduates<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>IT and data graduates in Sydney and Melbourne<\/strong> typically start at AUD 70,000 to AUD 90,000, reaching AUD 100,000 to AUD 130,000 within two to three years. Healthcare and nursing roles through AHPRA usually start at AUD 67,000 to AUD 75,000. Business, MBA and finance graduates earn between AUD 65,000 and AUD 90,000 in their first year, with pay rising sharply after two years of local experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Accounting and CPA graduates<\/strong> are among the most common Indian graduate profiles in Australia. Registered through CPA Australia or CA ANZ, starting salaries run from AUD 60,000 to AUD 75,000 in public practice and AUD 65,000 to AUD 85,000 in industry roles. Demand is strong nationally, and accounting sits on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), giving graduates access to points-tested PR pathways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>On the 485 post-study work visa, the duration depends on your level of study:<\/strong> two years for a bachelor\u2019s degree and three years for a master\u2019s or doctoral degree. This matters for salary planning because a three-year visa gives you significantly more time to build Australian work experience, which is what employers in most fields actually want to see before offering AUD 90,000-plus roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>See our guide on<\/em> <em><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/pg-in-australia-fees-requirements-salaries-and-scholarships\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/a><\/em><em><u><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/pg-in-australia-fees-requirements-salaries-and-scholarships\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PG in Australia for International Students<\/a><\/u><\/em> <em>and<\/em> <em><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/mba-graduate-salary-in-australia-for-indians\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the<\/a><\/em> <em><u><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/mba-graduate-salary-in-australia-for-indians\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Average MBA Graduate Salary in Australia for Indians<\/a><\/u><\/em> <em>for a course-by-course breakdown.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>If you are currently on a student visa with work rights:<\/strong> On a student visa (Subclass 500), you can work 48 hours a fortnight during the semester at AUD 25 to AUD 35 an hour in hospitality or retail. Semester breaks remove the cap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>My Insight:<\/em><\/strong> <em>The hardest part for Indian graduates in Australia is usually not the salary. It is the experience gap. Most IT and finance employers want Australian work experience on your CV, which is impossible to have when you first land. Students who close that gap quickest are the ones who got internships or part-time relevant work done during their degree, not after it. Treat your course&#8217;s work placement requirement as seriously as any exam.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Takeaways_on_Average_Salary_in_Australia\"><\/span><strong>Key Takeaways on Average Salary in Australia<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Plan with the median (AUD 74,672), not the average (AUD 108,352).<\/strong> Mining engineers and senior finance executives drag the average well above what most people earn. For fresh graduate roles, most people actually start at AUD 60,000 to AUD 80,000.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Take-home on AUD 80,000 is around AUD 63,880 per year (Rs. 42.5L), not AUD 80,000.<\/strong> Income tax and the 2% Medicare Levy both apply. If you have an HECS-HELP debt from studying in Australia, repayments compare automatically deducted once your income exceeds AUD 51,550<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>State and industry matter more than the national average.<\/strong> ACT and WA lead on pay; mining and tech lead by sector. For Indian graduates, IT, data and engineering in a major city offer the clearest path to AUD 100,000-plus, especially if you gain Australian work experience during your degree.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Verified by:<\/em><\/strong> <em>LeapScholar&#8217;s Australia counselling team, with hands-on experience guiding Indian graduates through post-study work visas, salary negotiations and PR pathways.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Planning your move to Australia or figuring out which course gives you the best salary return?<\/em> <em><u><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/webflow_progressive_form?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=in-content-cta&amp;utm_campaign=counselling\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Book a free session with a LeapScholar counsellor today<\/a><\/u><\/em><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions_About_Average_Salary_in_Australia\"><\/span><strong>Frequently Asked Questions About Average Salary in Australia<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<ul class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<li id=\"faq-question-1793013877539\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>What is the average salary in Australia in 2026?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The ABS May 2026 data puts full-time weekly earnings at AUD 2,083.70 per week, which works out to AUD 108,352 a year before tax. The headline figure is useful as a reference point, but the median is what most people should plan around: AUD 74,672 per year, sitting right in the middle of what Australian full-time workers take home.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1793013896333\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>What is the average salary in Australia after tax per month?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>On the median of AUD 74,672, take-home after income tax and Medicare Levy is roughly AUD 59,000 per year, or about AUD 4,917 a month (Rs. 3.27L). On the average of AUD 108,352, that rises to around AUD 6,670 a month (Rs.4.44L). Both use ATO 2026-27 resident rates and exclude HECS-HELP repayments.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1793013897483\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>What is the average salary in Australia by state?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>As per ABS May 2026 figures for full-time adults, ACT sits at AUD 2,289.40 per week, WA at AUD 2,227.60 and NSW at AUD 2,109.20. Tasmania is lowest at AUD 1,865.60 per week.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1793013898570\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>What is the average salary in Australia before tax?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Full-time average before tax is AUD 108,352 per year (AUD 2,083.70 per week). The median before tax is AUD 74,672. When part-time workers are included, the all-employees average drops to AUD 1,579.20 per week, which shows how many Australians are working reduced hours.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1793013899664\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>What is the average salary in Australia by age group?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Under-20s typically earn AUD 31,000 to AUD 41,600 a year. The 25-34-year-old age group earns AUD 83,000 to AUD 98,800. Pay peaks in the 45 to 54 age bracket at AUD 109,000 to AUD 124,800. Indian graduates arriving in their mid-20s can expect to earn AUD 55,000 to AUD 75,000 in their first year, depending on the field.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1793013900865\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>What is the average salary in Australia and New Zealand compared?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Australia pays more on paper: AUD 108,352 full-time average, versus New Zealand&#8217;s NZD 77,000 to NZD 85,000 (roughly AUD 70,000 to AUD 77,000). The gap narrows once you factor in that Sydney and Melbourne are among the more expensive cities in the region.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1793013902051\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Which industry pays the highest average salary in Australia?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Mining sits at the top at AUD 3,224.20 per week, roughly AUD 167,600 per year. Information media and telecommunications follow at AUD 2,714.10 per week, followed by electricity, gas and water at AUD 2,363. For Indian graduates, mining is rarely a realistic starting point. IT and finance offer the best chance of earning over AUD 100,000 within two to three years.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1793013903197\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>How much does an international graduate earn in Australia on a 485 visa?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Starting salaries in a 485 vary by field. IT and engineering graduates typically land between AUD 70,000 and AUD 80,000. Hospitality, retail and admin roles are lower, at AUD 45,000 to AUD 65,000. The 485 has no work hour cap, so full-time employment is available from day one.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1793013904378\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>What is the minimum wage in Australia in 2026?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>From 1 July 2026, every worker must be paid at least AUD 26.44 per hour, which works out to AUD 1,004.90 per week on a standard 38-hour week. It is the first time the national weekly minimum has crossed AUD 1,000. Most industries pay above this threshold through modern award rates specific to the job type and classification.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\"><\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 10<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">min read<\/span><\/span>\u26a1 Quick Read Full-time average salary in Australia reached AUD 2,083.70 per week (AUD 108,352 per year) in May 2026, per the ABS. The median annual salary is AUD 74,672, a more realistic figure for what most full-time workers earn. Canberra (ACT) and Western Australia pay the most, while mining is the top-earning industry at [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":80,"featured_media":86122,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[237],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-86121","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-study-in-australia"],"blocksy_meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86121","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/80"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=86121"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86121\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":86123,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86121\/revisions\/86123"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/86122"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=86121"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=86121"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=86121"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}