Salary · Australia16 min read · May 2025

Australia Salary Guide 2025

Average salaries in AUD by role, city, and sector — with negotiation benchmarks and super explained.

k AUD median full-time salary including super (2025)

mandatory superannuation on top of base salary

Perth premium over eastern states in mining & resources

average salary increase with Zari negotiation coaching

Understanding Australian salary packages

Australian salaries are quoted in one of three ways — always clarify which before accepting:

Base salary

Your take-home salary before super. The number you pay income tax on. Excludes super contributions.

Base + super

Standard Australian quoting method. E.g. '$100k + 11% super' means $111k total cost to employer.

Total Package (TFR)

Total Fixed Remuneration — base + super + any allowances bundled. Common in government and large corporates.

Technology salaries (AUD, 2025)

RoleSydneyMelbourneBrisbanePerth

Software Engineer (mid)$130–155k$120–148k$110–135k$115–140k

Senior Engineer$155–200k$145–185k$135–170k$140–175k

Product Manager$135–175k$125–165k$115–150k$115–148k

Data Scientist$120–155k$115–145k$105–135k$110–138k

UX Designer$100–135k$95–125k$88–115k$90–118k

Finance & Banking salaries (AUD, 2025)

RoleSydneyMelbourneBrisbanePerth

Financial Analyst$90–120k$85–115k$80–105k$82–108k

Investment Banker (VP)$180–280k$165–250k$140–200k$140–195k

Risk Manager$120–155k$115–145k$100–130k$105–135k

Accountant (CA)$80–115k$78–110k$72–100k$75–105k

Healthcare salaries (AUD, 2025)

RoleSydneyMelbourneBrisbanePerth

Registered Nurse$75–95k$72–90k$70–88k$72–92k

Pharmacist$90–115k$88–110k$85–108k$88–112k

GP / General Practitioner$200–320k$190–305k$185–295k$195–310k

Physiotherapist$75–100k$72–96k$70–92k$72–95k

Mining & Resources salaries (AUD, 2025)

RoleSydneyMelbourneBrisbanePerth

Mining Engineer$110–145k$105–140k$110–145k$130–180k

Geologist$90–120k$88–115k$90–118k$105–145k

Site Manager$120–160k$115–152k$118–155k$135–195k

How to negotiate salary in Australia

Research using SEEK Salary Insights

SEEK's salary data tool shows market ranges for specific job titles in your city. This is the benchmark Australian employers use — cite it directly.

Wait until the offer stage

Don't raise salary in the first interview. Wait until you have an offer — then negotiate. Saying 'I'm very interested — I was expecting something closer to $X based on SEEK data' is standard.

Anchor to the top of the range

Start high within the realistic range. If market is $120–145k, open at $140k. You'll rarely get above your opening ask.

Negotiate super separately if possible

If the employer won't budge on base, try to negotiate additional super contributions, extra annual leave (common in Australia), or a review at 6 months.

FAQ

What is the average salary in Australia in 2025?

The median full-time salary in Australia is approximately AUD $98,000 (including superannuation). Before super, median full-time earnings are around AUD $90,000. However, this varies significantly by state: Sydney and Melbourne command 10–20% premiums over Brisbane and Adelaide for equivalent roles, while Perth is competitive with Melbourne for resources and engineering roles.

Is the salary in Australia higher than the UK?

At current exchange rates, mid-level professional salaries in Australia are broadly comparable to the UK, with Australian salaries being higher in nominal AUD terms. Healthcare, engineering, and trades pay significantly better in Australia than equivalent UK roles. Tech roles are broadly comparable. Australian salaries also come with mandatory 11% superannuation (retirement contributions), making total compensation higher than the nominal figure suggests.

How does Australian salary negotiation work?

SEEK salary insights are the standard benchmark tool. Australians negotiate salary directly — there's no cultural awkwardness about it. The standard approach is to research the market rate on SEEK, have a specific number in mind, and raise it when offered the role (not before). Most employers expect negotiation. Saying 'the market rate for this role in Sydney is $X' is a perfectly normal opener.

What is superannuation and how does it affect my total pay?

Superannuation ('super') is Australia's mandatory employer retirement contribution, currently 11% of your base salary, paid directly to your superannuation fund. It's in addition to your salary — a $120,000 package should be stated as '$120,000 + super' if super is not included, or '$120,000 including super' if it is. Always clarify whether a quoted salary is inclusive or exclusive of super. Exclusive is standard and more generous.

Negotiate your Australian salary with confidence.

Zari's salary negotiation coach uses SEEK-aligned benchmarks to help you make a data-backed case for the salary you deserve.

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