Wage Facts

Full-time earnings in Australia averaged A$57,387 per annum in 2007. (According to the Bureau of Statistics.)

If overtime and bonuses are included, earnings were $59,904 per annum.

The average full-time male wage (excluding overtime) in Australia is $61,038 per annum

The average full-time female wage in Australia (excluding overtime) is $51,054 per annum.

Workers in the Capital Territory (Canberra) are Australia's highest paid workers while Tasmania has the lowest average wages.

Average Full Time Ordinary Time Earnings 2007

StateAverage Annual Wage
Tasmania$52,432
South Australia$53,383
Queensland$53,732
Northern Territory$54,735
Victoria$56,820
New South Wales$59,410
Western Australia$61,662
Capital Territory $66,950


Australia's best-paid workers are miners, whose ordinary earnings average A$92,014 a year.

Average Full Time Ordinary Time Earnings
August 2007 By Industry

Business SectorAverage Annual Wage
Accommodation, Cafes and Restaurants$42,900
Retail Trade$44,398
Wholesale Trade$52,983
Manufacturing$53,264
Transport and Storage$54,350
Personal and Other Services$54,704
Health and Community Services$55,832
Cultural and Recreational Services$58,074
Construction $58,438
Communication Services$60,538
Government Administration and Defence$60,549
Property and Business Services$61,792
Education $62,431
Electricity, Gas and Water Supply$68,318
Finance and Insurance$72,254
Mining$92,014


The high prices fetched by Australia's commodity exports in recent years are expected to continue into the foreseeable future - hence the high average wages in the mining sector. Australian wages are expected to continue rising faster than in most other western economies.

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