Wages in Australia
Wage Facts
Average full-time earnings in Australia were $64,641 per annum in 2010. (According to the Bureau of Statistics.)If overtime and bonuses are included, earnings were $67,116 per annum.
The average male wage (ordinary time earnings) in Australia is $69,233 per annum. With overtime, this rises to $69,997.
The average female wage (ordinary time earnings) in Australia is $56,950 per annum. With overtime, this rises to $57,704.
Workers in the Capital Territory (Canberra) are Australia's highest paid workers with average ordinary earnings of $75,514 per annum, followed by Western Australia on $70,101. 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 | $75,514 |
| Western Australia | $70,101 |
| New South Wales | $65,863 |
| Queensland | $63,840 |
| Victoria | $62,847 |
| Northern Territory | $61,870 |
| South Australia | $59,176 |
| Tasmania | $55,255 |
Australia's best-paid workers are miners, whose ordinary earnings average $103,111 a year.
Next come professional, scientific and technical services workers who average $77,761 per annum.
Retail workers average $48,703.
The poorest wages are found in the accommodation and restaurant sector where full-time workers earn $46,306 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 | $103,111 |
| Manufacturing | $58,292 |
| Electricity, Gas and Water Supply | $71,557 |
| Construction | $65,816 |
| Wholesale Trade | $62,452 |
| Retail Trade | $48,703 |
| Accommodation, Cafes and Restaurants | $46,306 |
| Transport and Storage | $60,018 |
| Communication Services | $77,033 |
| Finance and Insurance | $76,487 |
| Property and Business Services | $63,175 |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | $77,761 |
| Administrative and Support Services | $62,884 |
| Government Administration and Defence | $68,177 |
| Education | $68,921 |
| Health and Community Services | $62,036 |
| Cultural and Recreational Services | $56,971 |
| Other Services | $50,742 |