Australian Salary Guide — What Jobs Are Paying

Understanding what the market pays for your role is essential both for evaluating job offers and for negotiating salary in Australia. This guide presents verified salary data from authoritative Australian sources including the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Robert Half Australia, Hays Australia, and Jobs and Skills Australia.

Australian average salary

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics Average Weekly Earnings report for November 2025, full-time workers in Australia earn an average of approximately AUD $107,000 per year (approximately AUD $8,900 per month gross). Average weekly earnings grew 3.8% from November 2021 to November 2025.

Location affects pay significantly. According to the 2026 Robert Half Salary Guide, Sydney roles pay approximately 9% above the national average — approximately AUD $117,000 per year for professional roles. Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth also pay above the national average in most professional sectors.

Technology and IT

Based on Robert Half Australia 2026 Technology Salary Guide and 909 IT Academy 2026 data:

• IT Support Technician / Helpdesk: AUD $55,000–$85,000
• Junior Software Developer: AUD $70,000–$90,000
• Software Developer (mid-level): AUD $90,000–$130,000
• Senior Software Engineer: AUD $130,000–$170,000
• Cloud Engineer / Architect: AUD $120,000–$180,000
• Data Engineer: AUD $100,000–$150,000
• AI / ML Engineer: AUD $90,000–$150,000
• Cybersecurity Specialist: AUD $110,000–$160,000
• IT Project Manager: AUD $110,000–$160,000
• Solution Architect: AUD $150,000–$200,000

Robert Half's 2026 guide notes that salaries for data engineers and cybersecurity professionals have stabilised after sharp increases in prior years, while AI and ML engineering continues to see growth in demand and compensation.

Healthcare and nursing

Based on ABS average weekly earnings, Jobs and Skills Australia, and state award rates:

• Enrolled Nurse: AUD $58,000–$72,000
• Registered Nurse: AUD $72,000–$95,000
• Clinical Nurse Specialist: AUD $95,000–$115,000
• Nurse Unit Manager: AUD $110,000–$140,000
• Physiotherapist: AUD $75,000–$105,000
• Occupational Therapist: AUD $75,000–$105,000
• Pharmacist: AUD $85,000–$120,000
• General Practitioner: AUD $200,000–$350,000 (full-time equivalent)
• Healthcare Professional (average, all types): AUD $85,000 (ABS/Pebl 2026)

Public hospital nurses are paid under state-based enterprise agreements which set classified pay scales. Agency nursing attracts loadings above base award rates.

Accounting and finance

Based on the 2026 Robert Half Australia Salary Guide:

• Graduate Accountant: AUD $55,000–$70,000
• Financial Accountant: AUD $85,000–$110,000
• Management Accountant: AUD $90,000–$120,000
• Financial Analyst (FP&A): AUD $90,000–$125,000
• Senior Accountant (Big Four): AUD $90,000–$130,000
• Finance Manager: AUD $120,000–$160,000
• Financial Controller: AUD $150,000–$200,000
• Accountant (average, all levels): AUD $112,000 (ABS/Pebl 2026)

Engineering

Based on Hays Engineering Salary Guide FY26/27 and Jobs and Skills Australia data:

• Graduate Engineer: AUD $65,000–$80,000
• Engineer (2–5 years experience): AUD $85,000–$110,000
• Senior Engineer (5–10 years): AUD $110,000–$150,000
• Principal Engineer / CPEng: AUD $140,000–$200,000
• Engineering Manager: AUD $150,000–$220,000
• Mining Engineer: AUD $120,000–$180,000 (higher with FIFO loadings)

Trades

Based on Jobs and Skills Australia and industry data. Trades remain in strong demand in Australia with significant state-based shortages in construction, electrical, and plumbing:

• Apprentice (Year 1): AUD $22,000–$35,000
• Electrician (qualified): AUD $75,000–$110,000
• Plumber (qualified): AUD $75,000–$105,000
• Carpenter (qualified): AUD $65,000–$95,000
• HVAC Technician: AUD $70,000–$105,000
• Project Foreman: AUD $100,000–$140,000

Administration and operations

Based on Hays and Robert Half Australia data:

• Administration Assistant: AUD $55,000–$70,000 (ABS/Pebl: AUD $63,000 average)
• Executive Assistant: AUD $75,000–$105,000
• Office Manager: AUD $80,000–$110,000
• Operations Manager: AUD $110,000–$160,000
• Customer Service Representative: AUD $55,000–$70,000 (ABS/Pebl: AUD $59,000 average)

Sales and marketing

• Sales Representative: AUD $65,000–$95,000 base (plus commission)
• Account Manager: AUD $80,000–$120,000 base
• Sales Manager: AUD $120,000–$180,000 base
• Marketing Coordinator: AUD $65,000–$85,000
• Marketing Manager: AUD $100,000–$150,000 (ABS/Pebl average: AUD $135,000)
• Digital Marketing Specialist: AUD $75,000–$110,000

How to use salary data in your job search

Salary data is a starting point for negotiation, not a fixed rate. Use it to:

• Set your salary expectations before applying
• Evaluate whether an offer is at, above, or below market
• Prepare for salary discussions with a specific range in mind
• Determine whether a role in a lower-paying location compensates with other benefits

In Australia, it is standard practice to discuss salary expectations during the interview process — most employers will ask. Stating a specific range based on market data is appropriate and expected.