MINIMUM AND AVERAGE SALARY IN AUSTRALIA

Australia is a very beautiful country with rich natural resources, technologically developed economy, fair laws and high standard of living. Tens of thousands of foreigners from all over the world dream of obtaining an Australian passport and settling permanently on this distant continent. One of the strong arguments in favour of labour migration to Australia is the opportunity to significantly improve welfare.

Salaries in Australia are among the highest in the world. The country needs overseas professionals with skills that are in short supply in the local labour market and who are able to adapt quickly in a foreign country. Australian immigration programmes are very effective not only in terms of employment. If certain conditions are met, you can open your own Australian business or leave for the purpose of family reunification. Next, let's find out what salaries in Australia in 2024.

Minimum wage in Australia

Australia's minimum wage rates are reviewed annually as of 1 July. The decision is made by experts from a specially authorised commission called the Fair Work Commission's, who scrutinise the salaries of local workers in the national employment relations system.

The minimum wage in Australia in 2024 (from 1 July 2023) is A$23.23 per hour or A$812.60 per week (38 hours), equivalent to €14 and €535 respectively. Compared to last year, an increase of 8.6% was recorded. Previously, the hourly rate was $21.38.

Important. From 1 July 2024, the minimum wage in Australia is A$24.10 per hour and A$915.90 per week.

There are reduced rates for certain categories of workers depending on age, calculated as a percentage of the minimum wage.

Minimum wage in Australia for young professionals

Age	Hourly rate (A$)	Percentage (%)
Less than 16 years old	11.13	36.8
16	12.37	47.3
17	14.84	57.8
18	17.31	68.3
19	19.78	82.5
20	22.26	97.87

Minimum salary in Australia for local university students

Year of study	Hourly rate (A$)	Percentage (%)
First	14.40	55
Second	17.02	65
Third	20.94	80
Fourth	23.56	95

About 1.8 million Australians earn a minimum wage income. But you have to consider that Australia's minimum wage rate is higher than developed nations such as the US, Germany, UK, France and Canada. On a seasonally adjusted basis, there are 14.2 million working people in 2024, with a population of about 26.2 million, and Australia's unemployment rate does not exceed 3-4%.

Average salary in Australia

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the average salary in Australia in 2024 is A$1,888.80 per week (€1,150) before tax. An Australian man's annual income is $97,801.6 and a monthly income of $8,150 (€4,955). On a weekly basis, women receive $1,766.50 and men $1,981.30. The average public sector salary in Australia is $2,061.10 and the average private sector salary is $1,845.

Salary levels in Australia largely depend on the experience, qualifications, age of the worker, region, industry and the number of hours worked. For example, full-time employment carries an average weekly wage of $1,958 (€1,190) for an Australian adult. The highest weekly wages are earned in the Australian Capital Territory (City of Canberra) at $2,107.70 and Western Australia (City of Perth) at $2,087.60. The least earn the least in the Australian state of Tasmania – about $ 1,670.

AUSTRALIAN WAGES BY REGION

Region	Australian dollars per week
Australian Capital Territory	2,107.70
Western Australia	2,087.60
New South Wales	1,891.40
Victoria	1,858.10
Queensland	1,844.70
Northern Territory	1,832.80
South Australia	1,735.40
Tasmania	1,670

The Northern Territory has recorded the greatest growth in Australian employment, while Queensland has the most unfavourable situation. The most jobs available are in public administration and safety, manufacturing, mining, education and construction. To a much lesser extent, jobs in the retail sector are available.

AVERAGE SALARY IN AUSTRALIA SALARIES BY OCCUPATIONS

Occupation	Australian dollars per week
General practitioner	2,620
Electrical engineer	2,020
Mechanical engineer	1,985
Police officer	1,895
Accountant	1,890
Locksmith	1,880
Programmer	1,825
Lawyer	1,725
Electrician	1,715
Architect	7,415
Dentist	1,620
Truck driver	1,415
Social worker	1,390
Teacher	1,370
Plumber	1,295
Midwife	1,250
Nurse	1,220
Librarian	1,185
Veterinarian	1,180
Butcher	790

In some sectors of the Australian economy in terms of wages are leading – mining, financial and insurance services, information technology and telecommunications, services for the supply of electricity, gas and water. Relatively low wages in trade, catering and accommodation. In general, average incomes in Australia can vary by several times in some areas. For example, the mining industry brings in $2,951.80 per week, while accommodation and catering earns $1,397.20.

AVERAGE SALARY IN AUSTRALIA BY SECTOR OF ECONOMY

Sector of Economy	Australian Dollars per week
Mining and quarrying	2,951.80
Information technology, media, and telecommunications	2,406.10
Professional, scientific and technical services	2,222.80
Electricity, gas, water and waste management	2,212.60
Financial and insurance services	2,182.70
Public administration and security	2,007.80
Education and training	1,995.10
Health care and social assistance	1,875
Transportation, postal and warehousing	1,827.50
Construction	1,779.90
Leasing, rental and real estate services	1,764.90
Wholesale trade	1,742
Administrative and support services	1,707.40
Arts and recreation services	1,698.80
Manufacturing	1,695.60
Retail trade	1,435.10
Accommodation and catering	1,397.20
Other services	1,439.10

Note. Information on average wages in Australia by sector of economy, occupations and region is based on official data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Payroll taxes in Australia

Australia's tax system is very efficient and transparent. Following the example of most developed Western countries, the country has a progressive taxation scale. By the way, the methodology of income tax collection for locals and foreign workers is somewhat different. You can calculate the exact amount of salary deductions in Australia on the website of the local tax department using a special online calculator – ato.gov.au.

Income tax in Australia in 2024 (residents)

Annual income (AUD)	Tax rate (AUD)
From 0 to A$18,200	0
From A$18,201 to A$45,000	19 cents on every A$1 over A$ 18,200
From A$45,001 to A$120,000	A$5,092. Plus 32.5 cents on every A$1 of an amount over A$45,000
From A$120,001 to A$180,000	A$29,467. Plus 37 cents on every A$1 of an amount over A$120,000
From A$180,001 and over	A$51,667. Plus 45 cents on each A$1 of the amount over A$180,000

Australian income tax in 2024 (non-residents)

Annual income (AUD)	Tax rate (AUD)
From A$0 to $120,000	32.5 cents for every A$1
From A$120,001 to $180,000	A$39,000. Plus 37 cents on each A$1 of the amount over A$120,000
From A$180,001 and over	A$61,200. Plus 45 cents for every A$1 of the amount over A$180,000

In addition to income tax, a Medicare levy of 2% is withheld from the salaries of employees in Australia (residents).

HIGHEST PAID OCCUPATIONS IN AUSTRALIA

• Surgeons

• Anaesthetists

• Financial dealers

• Psychiatrists

• Lawyers

• Banking and finance managers

• Chief Executive Officers (CEOs)

• Engineering project managers

• Information technology managers

• Mining engineers

CITIES WITH THE HIGHEST WAGES IN AUSTRALIA

City	Australian dollars per annum
New South Wales	100,000
Sydney	90,000
Melbourne	85,000
Brisbane	75,000
Canberra	73,000

Cost of living in Australia

Compared to most countries in the world, living in Australia is not cheap. The most expensive major Australian cities are Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane and Melbourne.

Basic costs in Australia:

• Rent: A$2,000-A$2,500 per month for a one-bedroom flat in the centre.

• Utility bills: A$300-A$400 per month.

• Food: A$200-300 per month per person.

• Transport: A$150-200 per month by public transport or A$200-300 per month by car.

• Internet/mobile phone: A$120-130 per month.

• Clothing and leisure activities: A$500-700 per month.

Frequently asked questions about salaries in Australia:

1. What is the average salary in Australia?

• Before tax, the average salary in Australia in 2024 is A$1,888.80 per week.

2. What is the minimum wage in Australia?

• The minimum wage in Australia in 2024 from 1 July 2024 is A$24.10 per hour.

3. What is the highest earning job in Australia?

• The highest paying occupations in Australia are medical surgeons, anaesthetists and financial dealers.

4. What is the lowest earning job in Australia?

• Representatives of unskilled labour – cleaners, waiters, cooks' assistants, loaders, shop assistants, maids and so on – earn the least in Australia.

5. What is the average salary of programmers in Australia?

• The average income of programmers in Australia is $8,000-9,000 per month.

6. What is the payroll tax in Australia?

• The income tax rate in Australia depends on annual income and ranges from 0% (income up to $18,200) to 45% (income over $180,000).

7. What is the average salary in Sydney?

• The average salary in Sydney in 2024 is $90,000 per annum.

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