Average Salary in Australia: What Migrants and Graduates Really Earn (And How to Increase Yours)

One of the first questions international students and skilled migrants ask when planning their career is:

“What’s the average salary in Australia?”

It’s a fair question. Knowing average pay helps you:

• Evaluate whether a job offer is fair.

• Plan for living expenses in major cities.

• Understand where you sit compared to peers.

• Prepare for Permanent Residency (PR) applications.

But here’s the catch: the average salary in Australia doesn’t tell the full story. Salaries vary widely by industry, location, career stage, and visa status. Many migrants also get stuck in underpaid roles because they believe myths about “needing local experience” or “waiting for PR.”

This guide combines official data with real migrant experiences so you can see what’s realistic — and how to earn above average sooner than you think.

1. What the Data Says: Average Salary in Australia

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the average full-time adult weekly ordinary earnings in late 2023 was around AUD $1,900–$2,000 per week. That works out to $98,000–$104,000 per year.

But averages can be misleading. High salaries in industries like mining and tech inflate the numbers. The median salary — the midpoint of all salaries — is lower, around $80,000–$85,000, which better reflects what most Australians actually earn.

👉 Rule of thumb:

• Average = influenced by extremes.

• Median = closer to reality.

Industry differences

• Mining: $140K+

• IT & Tech: $100K+

• Finance: $95K–$120K

• Healthcare: $85K–$100K

• Education: $75K–$85K

• Hospitality & Retail: $55K–$65K

Gender gap

On average, men earn more than women in Australia — often $15K–$20K more annually, depending on industry.

Full-time vs part-time

Average figures are for full-time roles. Many international students start part-time jobs (hospitality, retail) where wages are lower, around $25–$30/hour.

2. Salary Ranges by Career Stage

Salaries rise steadily with experience.

👉 For most graduates and migrants, $70K–$80K+ is a strong target salary in the first 1–2 years.

3. Graduate Salaries: What Students Can Expect

The average salary for graduate students in Australia is around $65,000, but it varies by field of study.

Graduate Outcomes Survey (2023):

• IT & Computer Science: $65K–$70K

• Engineering: $65K–$72K

• Accounting & Finance: $60K–$68K

• Marketing & Communications: $55K–$65K

• Health (nursing, allied health): $65K–$70K

• Education: $68K–$72K

👉 International students often worry they’ll earn less. But many land offers at the same level as locals if they present themselves well.

Case example: A marketing graduate from Vietnam expected $50K “for local experience.” She secured $78K in Sydney after tailoring her resume and acing interviews.

4. Migrant Salary Myths (And the Truth)

Migrants often accept lower pay because of myths.

• Myth 1: “You must start at $45K for local experience.”
  ❌ False. Many migrants secure $70K–$90K roles straight after graduation.

• Myth 2: “You need PR to get a good salary.”
  ❌ False. Employers pay for skills, not visa type. I’ve seen clients on temporary visas land $90K+ jobs.

• Myth 3: “Locals always earn more.”
  ❌ False. When resumes are achievement-focused and interviews are strong, migrants compete equally.

👉 Real client story: A civil engineer from India, still on a 485 visa, landed a $90K job despite gaps in his work history.

5. Cost of Living: Why Location Matters

A $70K salary means very different things depending on where you live.

👉 Cost of living should guide what salary you consider “good.” $70K in Adelaide feels like $85K in Sydney.

6. PR Pathways and Salary Requirements

Salary matters for migration:

• Temporary Skill Shortage (482 visa): Must meet market salary rate and above the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) (~$70,000+).

• Employer Nomination (186 visa): Requires “market rate” pay.

• State Nomination visas: Some states check that you’re in skilled, full-time roles.

👉 Target jobs above $70K early. It helps both your wallet and your migration pathway.

7. Why You Might Be Earning Less Than You Deserve

Migrants and grads often under-earn due to:

• Accepting underpaid jobs just for “local experience.”

• Weak resumes that list duties, not achievements.

• Not negotiating due to fear.

• Not knowing benchmarks.

Case story: A finance graduate accepted $52K thinking it was normal. After rewriting his resume and targeting the right employers, he landed a $75K role.

8. Negotiating Your Salary in Australia

Negotiation is expected here — not rude. A $5K increase at the start compounds into $50K over 10 years.

How to negotiate

1. Research: Use Seek, Hays Salary Guide, Glassdoor.

2. Frame positively: Express enthusiasm first.

3. Ask politely:

   “Thank you for the offer — I’m really excited about the role. Based on benchmarks, would there be flexibility to adjust closer to $75,000?”

👉 One IT client used this approach and secured $7K more than the initial offer.

9. First Job Strategy: Foot in the Door vs Growth

Should you accept a lower first job? Sometimes, yes — if it’s skilled and counts toward PR.

Strategy:

• Take the role.

• Build experience + references.

• Negotiate or move after 6–12 months.

👉 Tip: Don’t stay in an underpaid job longer than 1 year. It can hold back your whole career trajectory.

10. Real Client Examples

• Marketing graduate: Offered $55K → Negotiated to $78K.

• IT professional (temporary visa): $95K before PR.

• Civil engineer (with career gaps): $90K.

• Accounting graduate: $65K → jumped to $75K in one year.

👉 Proof that above-average salaries are achievable even as a migrant or graduate.

11. Key Takeaways

• The average salary in Australia is ~$98K, but the median is closer to $85K.

• Graduate salaries sit at $55K–$70K.

• Migrants don’t need PR to earn well — they need strategy.

• Salary expectations must factor in city cost of living.

• Negotiation is normal — and powerful.

FAQs

Q1: What is the average salary in Australia?
Around $98K–$104K. Median is ~$85K.

Q2: What’s the average graduate salary?
$55K–$70K depending on industry.

Q3: Do I need PR to get a good salary?
No. Employers hire for skills, not visa type.

Q4: How much do you need to live in Sydney?
At least $75K–$80K comfortably.

Q5: What’s considered a high salary in Australia?
$120K+ is above average. $150K+ is high.

Q6: Does salary affect PR?
Yes. Some visas require market rate pay.

Q7: Should I take a lower-paid first job?
Sometimes — if skilled and growth-focused. But move up quickly.

Q8: Do salaries grow faster in certain industries?
Yes — IT, engineering, finance grow faster than hospitality or admin.

Final Thoughts

Asking “What’s the average salary in Australia?” is just the start. The real question is:

👉 How can you position yourself to earn above average?

With the right resume, LinkedIn profile, interview skills, and salary negotiation strategies, international students and migrants can match — and often exceed — local salaries, even without PR.

Ready to Earn Above the Average?

🎁 Download the Skilled Job Starter Kit — it includes:

• An ATS-friendly resume template.

• A LinkedIn checklist.

• Interview strategies that boost confidence.

👉 Get Your Free Skilled Job Starter Kit