How do your finances compare to the rest of Australia? Here’s how much average Aussies are earning, and how much debt and super they carry.
Showing an unhealthy interest in other people’s financial circumstances is inappropriate, most of us agree. That said, when someone lets slip their salary, or how much they paid for their house, you’d have to be very well adjusted to not immediately start comparing your own numbers. So, want to know how your finances stack up? While we can’t tell you exactly how much your brother-in-law’s bonus was last year, we have put together national averages for earnings, outstanding debts, and superannuation balances, as well as the average net worth so you can know where you stand.
How much does the average Aussie earn?
Fortunately for the nosy among us, the ABS publishes national average incomes each year, with a range of demographic breakdowns including age, region, time spent in Australia, and country of birth.
Keep in mind how general these numbers are. You shouldn’t assume, for example, you’ll get a huge pay boost just by moving to Sydney.
Here are the latest figures from August 2025 by age and region:
Median gross annual income by age
Generally, the older Australians get, the more they earn. ABS figures show median earnings peak at around 45 to 54 years of age before slightly declining, although that drop may have more to do with people retiring than having their pay cut.
For Aussies aged between 35 and 54, median annual pre-tax earnings are over $100,000 for full-time workers, as of August 2025.
Age bracket | Median annual earnings (full-time workers) | Median annual earnings (part-time workers) |
|---|---|---|
15 to 19 years | $44,429 | $10,400 |
20 to 24 years | $62,400 | $31,200 |
25 to 34 years | $85,712 | $41,600 |
35 to 44 years | $101,400 | $49,551 |
45 to 54 years | $104,000 | $49,103 |
55 to 59 years | $96,200 | $46,800 |
60 to 64 years | $91,000 | $41,600 |
65 years and over | $84,250 | $36,379 |
Source - ABS Characteristics of Employment (2025)
Median gross annual income by region
Earnings also vary significantly depending on where you live. For example, people who live in Sydney typically earn around a fifth more than residents of regional Tasmania (as you might hope considering the general disparity in living expenses). Likewise, median earnings tend to be higher in cities than in regional areas:
Region | Median annual earnings (full-time workers) | Median annual earnings (part-time workers) |
|---|---|---|
Greater Sydney | $95,992 | $37,383 |
Rest of NSW | $86,112 | $36,400 |
Greater Melbourne | $88,473 | $37,398 |
Rest of VIC | $82,540 | $36,400 |
Greater Brisbane | $91,000 | $39,000 |
Rest of QLD | $88,400 | $39,000 |
Greater Adelaide | $85,597 | $36,291 |
Rest of SA | $78,000 | $38,470 |
Greater Perth | $99,996 | $36,400 |
Rest of WA | $89,955 | $31,704 |
Greater Hobart | $88,400 | $45,141 |
Rest of TAS | $78,000 | $36,400 |
Northern Territory | $91,000 | $39,972 |
Australian Capital Territory | $94,531 | $36,395 |
Source - ABS Characteristics of Employment (2025)
Tips to boost your income
- Push for a pay rise: Your salary may feel like something you just have to accept, but employees often have more leverage than they realise. Remember, an employment contract is a two-way street, and you don’t just have to take only what you’re offered. It can be expensive to hire new people, so the suggestion that you might look elsewhere if your pay doesn’t improve may well see your bosses up your salary to keep hold of you. Though, this tactic can have unintended repercussions, so approach with caution.
- Get a side hustle: A side hustle can supplement your primary income. It could mean driving for Uber in the evenings or dog walking at weekends or, if you’ve got a passion for a monetisable skill like photography or video editing, you might be able to earn money doing something you actually enjoy.
How much does the average Aussie owe?
It might shock you to learn Australian households collectively hold about $3.45 trillion in loans and other liabilities, as of March 2026. That’s more than most estimates of our national GDP, and works out at an average of nearly $150,000 per adult!
Average owner-occupier home loans around Australia
As you’d probably guess, the biggest source of Australian debt is property under mortgage. Here are the most recent stats on average new owner occupier home loans (as of June 2026), both nationally and for each state and territory:
Approximate average new owner-occupier loan value | |
|---|---|
New South Wales | $842,000 |
Victoria | $664,000 |
Queensland | $751,000 |
Western Australia | $720,000 |
South Australia | $672,000 |
Tasmania | $516,000 |
Northern Territory | $545,000 |
ACT | $666,000 |
Australia | $731,000 |
Source: ABS Lending indicators June 2026
Average home loan rates
Loan Type | Average rate | Lowest rate |
|---|---|---|
Variable | 6.61% p.a. | 5.79% p.a. |
Three Year Fixed | 6.53% p.a. | 5.84% p.a. |
Source: www.canstar.com.au - 24/09/2026. Based on owner occupier variable loans on Canstar’s database available for a loan amount of $600,000, 80% LVR and principal & interest repayments; excluding introductory and first home buyer only loans.
How much Aussies owe in other debt
Besides home loans, Aussies still owe plenty in credit card, personal loans, and other personal debts:
Average balance accruing interest | $5,571 |
|---|---|
Average person’s personal debt | $17,634 |
Source: www.canstar.com.au - 24/09/2026. Average balance accruing interest based on RBA September 2026 Credit and Charge Card Statistics, assumes 30% of personal credit card accounts are revolving a balance and therefore accruing interest, based on the Canstar 2026 Customer Satisfaction Survey (n=5,758). Average personal debt (excluding home loans) based on the Canstar 2025 Consumer Pulse Report.
Tips to reduce your debt
- Look for a better deal on your home loan: If you’re paying off a mortgage, securing even a slightly lower rate can make a big difference over a 20- or 30-year loan term. There are hundreds of mortgage lenders in Australia, so shopping around for a lower rate somewhere else can pay. Even just asking your current lender if it could knock a few basis points off your interest rate, particularly if you make some noise about moving elsewhere, could see you paying less.
- Make extra repayments on your mortgage: Everything you pay towards your mortgage above your minimum repayments directly pays down the principal balance, reducing your future interest bill and bringing you closer to paying it off completely.
- Minimise your high-interest debt: If you consistently pay your credit card off on time every month, you shouldn’t have to worry about credit card interest. Those already working with hefty credit card or other consumer debt could look at balance transfer offers, debt consolidation strategies, or other ways to reduce what you owe. If you’re really struggling, The National Debt Helpline offers free, independent, confidential financial counselling at 1800 007 007 or via its website.
How much does the average Aussie have in super?
According to the ABS, Australian households collectively hold about $4.47 trillion in superannuation reserves — more than we hold in debt. Per adult, that works out to be around $194,000, but that’s not a particularly useful number as super (ideally) rises with age. Helpfully, APRA releases quarterly data on average super balances for each age group:
Average super balances by age
Age group | Approximate average |
|---|---|
<25 years | $9,400 |
25-29 years | $28,800 |
30-34 years | $55,200 |
35-39 years | $88,400 |
40-44 years | $123,400 |
45-49 years | $157,900 |
50–54 years | $198,000 |
55–59 years | $243,300 |
60-64 years | $270,800 |
65-69 years | $290,600 |
70-74 years | $312,000 |
75-84 years | $302,900 |
85+ | $199,500 |
Source: APRA Quarterly Superannuation Statistics, June 2026
Tips to boost your super
- Make voluntary contributions: Thanks to the power of compounding returns, even small extra contributions into your super can offer a big boost to your eventual retirement balance. You might also be able to get tax concessions on voluntary contributions you make.
- Check how your super is tracking: Selecting a super fund shouldn’t be a ‘set and forget’ decision. Keeping an eye on how your fund is performing, as well as how much you’re being charged in fees, can help make sure your money is working as hard as possible for your retirement.
How do your finances compare?
If you’re looking for a definitive financial scoreboard, net worth is probably the most comprehensive measure of wealth.
To work out your net worth, add up the value of all your assets (any property you own, your super balance, investments, and so on) and subtract everything you owe (home loan, student debt, credit cards, and the like).
Average net worth by age is harder to work out, but there’s enough data out there for you at least to compare yours with the national average for individuals and households:
Average personal net worth
Australian household wealth was about $19.2 trillion as of March 2026, according to the ABS. That figure comes from taking aggregate assets and subtracting debts.
At the same time there were about 22 million adults in Australia, leaving us with an average net worth of about $871,500 per adult.
Tips to boost your net worth
- Put your assets to work: It might feel safer to stash all your savings in your mattress, but you’ve also got to consider the opportunity cost — what returns you’re missing out on. Investing might sound scary, but it’s very accessible these days, with options like ETFs that give you broad exposure rather than putting all your savings in individual companies. If you’ve got a low risk appetite, a high interest savings account or even bonds usually offer more stable, but lower, returns. Though, past performance is never an indicator of future performance.
- Limit your debts: While loans are often a necessary evil for big purchases like property, a decent rule of thumb may be to avoid paying interest on depreciating assets when you can. Maybe you could make do with a cheaper ride to avoid taking out a car loan, for example.
