Wages in Australia
Wage Facts
Average full-time earnings in Australia were $69,165 per annum in 2011. (According to the Bureau of Statistics.)If overtime and bonuses are included, earnings were $72,306 per annum.
The average male wage (ordinary time earnings) in Australia is $73,850 per annum. With overtime, this rises to $78,286.
The average female wage (ordinary time earnings) in Australia is $61,053 per annum. With overtime, this rises to $61,948.
Workers in the Capital Territory (Canberra) are Australia's highest paid workers with average ordinary earnings of $80,538 per annum, followed by Western Australia on $79,245. Here is a full list of average wages by state:
Average Wage By State
(Full Time Ordinary Earnings)
| State | Average Annual Wage |
| Australian Capital Territory | $80,538 |
| Western Australia | $79,245 |
| Northern Territory | $71,698 |
| New South Wales | $68,760 |
| Queensland | $67,595 |
| Victoria | $67,179 |
| South Australia | $63,502 |
| Tasmania | $61,147 |
Australia's best-paid workers are miners, whose ordinary earnings average $113,636 a year.
Next come professional, scientific and technical services workers who average $82,212 per annum.
Retail workers average $50,898.
The poorest wages are found in the accommodation and restaurant sector where full-time workers earn $49,785 on average.
The high prices fetched by Australia's commodity exports in recent years are expected to continue into the foreseeable future. Projections are than Australian wages have a good chance of continuing to grow at a faster rate than in most other western economies.
Average Australian Wage By Industry
(Full Time Ordinary Earnings)
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Wage |
| Mining | $113,636 |
| Manufacturing | $61,989 |
| Electricity, Gas and Water Supply | $78,432 |
| Construction | $71,110 |
| Wholesale Trade | $69,638 |
| Retail Trade | $50,898 |
| Accommodation, Cafes and Restaurants | $49,785 |
| Transport and Storage | $67,018 |
| Communication Services | $80,257 |
| Finance and Insurance | $80,480 |
| Property and Business Services | $63,294 |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | $82,212 |
| Administrative and Support Services | $59,904 |
| Government Administration and Safety | $72,940 |
| Education | $73,154 |
| Health and Community Services | $65,983 |
| Cultural and Recreational Services | $62,509 |
| Other Services | $54,636 |