Have you ever wondered how your income compares to other Australians? It's a natural question, but the answer depends heavily on your age and location.
⚡ 2025 Salary Benchmarks (At a Glance)
- Average Full-Time Salary: $104,520 ($2,010/week).
- Median Full-Time Salary: $88,400 ($1,700/week) – This is the "real" typical salary.
- Top 1% Income: You need to earn over $375,000.
- Middle Class: Households earning between $43k - $115k (after tax).
This guide breaks down Australia's income data for late 2025, helping you benchmark your salary against the "Average" and the "Top 1%".
1. The National Average vs. Median (The Reality Check)
Most news headlines quote the "Average" salary, which is currently $104,520 (May 2025 ABS data). However, this figure is misleading because it is skewed by million-dollar CEO packages.
A better measure is the Median—the exact middle point where 50% of people earn more and 50% earn less.
Average vs. Median Salary (2025)
| Category | Weekly Pay | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Average Full-Time | $2,010 | $104,520 |
| Median Full-Time | $1,700 | $88,400 |
| Median (All Employees) | $1,396 | $72,592 |
Source: ABS Average Weekly Earnings (May 2025) & Employee Earnings (Aug 2024).
2. What is a Good Salary By Age?
Earning $80,000 is fantastic if you are 22, but might feel tight if you are 45 with a mortgage and two kids. Here is the median taxable income by age group to help you benchmark fairly.
Median Taxable Income by Age
| Age Group | Median Income | "Good" (Top 25%) |
|---|---|---|
| 25 - 34 | ~$62,000 | $90,000+ |
| 35 - 44 | ~$78,000 | $115,000+ |
| 45 - 54 | ~$81,000 | $125,000+ |
| 55 - 64 | ~$65,000 | $105,000+ |
Source: ABS Personal Income Data (2022-23 adjusted for 2025 wage growth).
3. The "Rich List": Are You in the Top 1%?
Australia has a steep income pyramid. While the average full-time worker earns ~$104k, moving into the top percentiles requires significantly more.
- Top 10%: Taxable income over $143,000.
- Top 5%: Taxable income over $189,000.
- Top 1%: Taxable income over $375,000.
4. The Inflation Reality Check
If you feel like $100,000 doesn't buy what it used to, you are right. Since 2020, purchasing power has eroded significantly.
⚠️ The Housing Gap
While wages grew ~4.5% in 2025, national home values have risen over 38% since the pandemic. This means "Asset Rich" Australians (who own homes) are pulling away from "Income Rich" Australians (who rely on wages).
Want to Grow Your Net Worth?
Income is just one part of the puzzle. To build real wealth, you need to invest. Check out our guide on the Best Brokers in Australia to start putting your salary to work.