National employment standards in Australia and average salaries in 2021

Australia is attractive to foreigners for many reasons. Tourists fly across the ocean in search of new experiences, and potential immigrants want to find a good job on the Green Continent in a steadily growing economy. If long-distance travel and climate change do not frighten an immigrant, then working conditions and wages in Australia will become an incentive rather than an obstacle on his way.

General labor market indicators

The unemployment rate in September 2021 was 5.3% and the underemployment rate was 8.4%. The percentage of unemployed people among young people (Australians aged 15 to 24) is slightly higher – 11.7%.

However, the statistics differ slightly by region. Unemployment is highest in Queensland, Tasmania and South Australia (6.4–6.5%), while the lowest rates are found within the Capital Territory and New South Wales (3.5 and 4.5% respectively).

Australia has adopted national employment standards. In other words, the guarantees enshrined in law are as follows:

• The normal duration of a weekly work schedule is 38 hours.
• The duration of paid leave is 4 weeks per year. Those who are engaged in shift work can get another 7 days.
• Unpaid periods at the request of the employee (with retention of place): for child care - up to 24 months, for personal request - 2 days, for family reasons - 5 days.
• Additional days off on public holidays.
• Dismissal at the discretion of the employer is subject to at least 4 weeks' notice and payment of benefits in the amount of up to 16 weeks' earnings.

average salary

The average salary is 1192 AUD per week (excluding taxes). Men here usually earn more - from 5,000 AUD per month and above. The salary level depends on work experience, the availability of an academic degree, special education, qualifications and age of the worker. The highest average salary was noted in Canberra - from 1800 AUD per week.

By industry

Mining industry:

• Drilling rig operator from 150,400
• Environmentalists from 145,200
• Mining engineer 160,200
• Maintenance personnel from 115,600
• Processing workers from 150,400

Scope of business services:

• Analyst from 102,200
• Business promotion and development specialist from 175, 400
• Consulting manager from 146,600

Sphere of construction and architecture:

• Architect from 90 300
• Sales consultant 142 600
• Appraiser 125 600
• Engineering and technical worker from 123,900
• The designer receives from 83,500
• Landscape architect from 84,200

Officials and military:

• Emergency Situations Ministry employees 70,600
• Prison guards and police from 80,700
• Government officials receive annually from 84,650

Field of medicine:

• Nurse from 98 600
• Caregiver for disabled people from 78,800
• Intensive care doctor from 86 700
• Dentists from 68,500
• Psychiatrist from 67 800
• A gynecologist earns from 74,700
• Pharmacist from 110 600
• A speech therapist earns on average 71,800
• Surgeon from 78 900

By state

Western Australia ranks first in terms of income in Australia , where the average salary for men is $1,750. per week, for women – $1,340.

In second place is ACT (Australian Capital Territory). This is a separate territory where the entire Australian government sits. The average salary is $1,740 per week for men and $1,590 for women, which is the highest salary for women in Australia. There is practically no production in this area.

Darwin comes in third place in Australia in terms of income . Mining is common in this state. They mine gold and other precious metals here. Hardly anyone will live there, because it is very hot there. Among the female population, wages there are also considered to be very high - $1,268 per week.

Next comes Queensland with $1,500 per week, and there are also a lot of minerals there.

Then comes New South Wales - $1,500.

The next state is Victoria - $1,471.

In the state of South Australia, the average salary is $1,400.

And in last place is Tasmania - $1,316.

Minimum bid

The Fair Work Act () states that the minimum wage in Australia is reviewed annually. The new indicator comes into force only on July 1 of each new financial year after the signing of a new order.

From 1 July 2021, the hourly rate is A$19.49 or A$740.8 per week (38 hours of work). The revised minimum rates for 2021 - 2021 are published by special decree on the website of the Fair Work Commission (FWC).

If a specialist is not constantly employed in production, but is hired from time to time, then at least a 25% premium must be added to the final amount of payment for his services. In addition, you will have to pay for at least 3 hours for each shift, even if the employee completed it faster.

Minors and young employees are allowed to pay less than the established minimum rate. The calculation of what the salary in Australia is in 2021 is made as a percentage of the base figure.

However, this applies exclusively to those employees who are not covered by intra-industry agreements on working conditions and remuneration.

The FWC website contains a whole list of registered agreements. For those who do not know how to find their indicator in this list, you can use the service on the website.

Another one will be useful for those who want to know how much to pay when hiring interns and students of different years of study and qualifications.

Minimum wage

In May this year, the Australian government decided to change the minimum wage. It was increased by 3.5%, which means that the minimum wage per week is $719, or $19 if you work hourly.

Trade unions have demanded a fifty-dollar increase in the minimum wage, and employers are recommending a thirteen-dollar increase in weekly wages.

This change will affect more than two million Australians, but this regulation will not come into force until early June this year.

Average earnings

Minimum wages are accrued only to workers without a specialty or to employees who are not highly qualified. The low-paid category also includes working students and interns.

The average salary in Australia for adults working full-time (38 hours per week plus reasonable overtime) is significantly higher. At the same time, in different regions, pay for women and men also differs.

If you do not take into account the territorial factor and gender, the average salary level in Australia in 2021 was close to $1,634.80. In Russian currency, this amounts to just over 71,000 rubles per week.

In order to decide whether it is a lot or not enough for life in Australia, read the article “Australia: the life of ordinary people.”

Salaries in Australia by region

Earnings by industry

Every year, the Australian Bureau of Statistics publishes a study of average earnings, disaggregated by gender. The highest incomes are recorded in the mining industry, energy, media, professional and financial services.

However, this does not mean that each of these areas exclusively includes the highest paid professions in Australia.

How to apply for a professional visa - secrets of success

When moving to Australia, the best option is to apply for a professional immigration visa. It gives the right to stay in the country indefinitely, receive medical care, study, and work in the declared specialty. True, the conditions for obtaining a visa are not easy. At a minimum, you need to pass the selection by confirming your qualifications according to the list of professions required by the state of Australia and gaining the required number of points in the “points test”. If everything works out, his entire family can immigrate to Australia along with a highly skilled worker.

There are a large number of Australian professional visas, but we suggest paying attention to the most popular 189, 190 and 491.

Each of them gives the right to obtain permanent residence, but differs in that:

• 189 is an “Independent visa”
• 190 – “Regionally Sponsored Visa”
• 491 – “Regionally Sponsored Visa.”

To qualify for a visa from the list, you must meet several criteria:

1. Be a young professional under the age of 45.

2. Pass the English language test.

3. Confirm professional qualities and work experience.

4. Score at least 65 points in the p-test.

Full support of the registration procedure starts from 5200 AU$

Read more information on each type of visa here.

Where to apply for confirmation of qualifications?

For IT specialists, the organization that confirms qualification requirements is called the Australian Computer Society (ACS).

What is ACS looking at? Of course, this is the most basic thing - education and work experience. Or rather, higher education. Work experience – from 2 years in a specialty close to the declared one.

The third important factor is a high level of English. In the modern world, English has international status. In English you will be understood in any country in the world. And of course, the advantage, in any case, will be on the side of the specialist who sufficiently masters it. And even more so, you need to not only be able to read and understand a foreign text, but also speak fluently and understand the spoken word.

How to pass the points test brilliantly?

An IT specialist must meet many criteria to obtain an immigration visa, one of which is successfully passing the “points test”. The minimum number of points you need to score is 65 points.

How to dial them? Here are some tips:

• Learn English well. The exam and the presence of an IELTS certificate will add 10 points to your score.
• Age. Young professionals aged 25 to 32 years can immediately claim 30 points.
• An IT specialist must have a higher education, which will immediately add 15 points to the “points test” box.
• A further 15 points can be earned for work experience (outside Australia). Work experience must be at least 8 years. Otherwise, fewer points will be counted.
• Availability of “sponsorship” or “State sponsorship”. This status does not guarantee cash sponsorship. This is a kind of guarantee from the employer, which confirms that exactly such a specialist is needed in a certain state of Australia. A guarantee cannot guarantee employment, but it will add a few points to your p-test, and your visa application will be considered as a priority.
• Your spouse can also help you replenish your points bank. To do this, you need to confirm your profession from the list of in-demand professions in Australia and pass IELTS at least 6. If everything goes well, your significant other will earn you 5 points.

When will everything work out?

If the application for a professional visa accepted for consideration is approved, then the IT specialist will be able to travel to Australia, live and work there for 5 years. The visa can be extended or after 4 years one can apply for citizenship.

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Income by profession

The ranking order by salary level in Australia by profession is quite familiar: lawyers, doctors, financiers and programmers. Along with them, engineers, teachers, college professors and representatives of certain working specialties can boast good salaries.

The table shows average salary ranges by occupation in Australia for employees with five years of experience.

Average salary for different industries in Australia

Salaries can vary greatly in different areas:

• Engineer and engineering field : salary approximately 129 thousand Australian dollars. Construction (and, accordingly, the engineering profession) is one of the most developed and in demand industries. Consequently, an engineer is considered a highly paid position on the continent. The most prestigious area in this field is mining engineer , since this specialty is included in the list of the highest paid specialties in the country. It is also worth paying attention to the profession of an operating engineer.
• Teacher and education: salary approximately 65 thousand Australian dollars. The specialty is considered quite in demand, and the average salary corresponds to the national average. At the same time, a primary school teacher receives a salary of about 70.5 thousand, and a secondary school teacher - about 94.5.
• Accountant: salary varies depending on the field of activity. Accountants can earn around 70-85 thousand Australian dollars. Therefore, when choosing an accountant specialty, you first need to pay attention to the specific industry where you plan to work. The most profitable areas for an accountant are oil and gas production, construction, and working with finances.
• Doctor and medical industry : salary about 81 thousand Australian dollars.

Regional differences

Average salaries also vary significantly across states and territories. Traditionally, Australians living in the capital region earn the highest incomes.

However, this does not mean that somewhere outside the capital, an engineer's salary in Australia cannot be higher. Technological progress and a developing economy constantly require more and more skilled workers. There is a shortage of local personnel, so authorities (including regional ones) are developing programs to encourage the return of their own citizens working abroad and the hiring of foreigners.

The main condition for a simplified receipt of a work visa is belonging to one of the shortage professions from the list published on the website.

Representatives of other professions will have to apply for a visa in the general manner and remember that a tourist visa is not suitable for work.

To learn about what a work visa is, how to apply for it, and what documents are needed for this, read the article “Everything that is useful to know about a work visa.”

It is simply not possible to work in Australia illegally, since this does not give a person the right to obtain a unique tax number - TFN. Without it, a foreigner will not be able to open a bank account, will not be issued a driver’s license, and, even with a strong desire, will not be able to register it with the state. And after the entry permit expires, after the first check of documents, the illegal immigrant is deported from the country.

Stages of employment in Australia

Employment in Australia exists both under a contract with a specific company and through an exchange program. If we talk about the second option, the most popular is working on a farm. The fact is that the agricultural industry in this country needs foreign specialists. If you have a good level of English and experience in this field, then you can safely apply. If you are not interested in this option, then your job search comes down to the following steps:

• Distribution of a pre-prepared resume to potential employers. In order to stand out from the crowd of candidates, it would be a good idea to include cover letters explaining why you should be chosen.
• Conducting an online interview with a company representative.
• Preparation of documents for drawing up a business contract, as well as obtaining a work visa and work permit.
• Signing a contract with the employer.
• Contacting the embassy to obtain a visa and work permit.
• Reservation of air tickets and accommodation, if they are not provided by the employer.

Features of salary calculation

In Australia, like most other countries in the world, discrimination based on race, gender or age is prohibited. However, an objectively formed stratification in payments is still observed.

Thus, overall salaries in the public sector are higher than those of private employers. However, in both cases, women in Australia traditionally earn less than the stronger sex.

Another common phenomenon is the reluctance of employers to hire employees who, in their opinion, are too young, or, conversely, older.

To increase the attractiveness of some specialists, the country's authorities have developed several programs to stimulate employment of certain categories, subject to a contract for a period of at least six months with a workload of more than 20 hours per week:

1. A subsidy of up to A$10,000 is available for those hiring a person over 50 years of age or a young professional aged 15–29 years.

2. The same amount will be paid to an employer who employs an Indigenous Australian (Aboriginal).
3. Up to A$6,500 will be paid to those who employ a guardian or parent of a minor child.
4. Those who employ a person who has received unemployment benefits for at least 12 months will receive the same amount.
5. Up to AUD 10,500 can be provided to those who hire an intern or apprentice, especially if the specialty involves the need to gain practical skills and the duration of the training or internship exceeds 12 months.

Assistance programs are not mutually exclusive. For example, if you hire a person over 50 years of age as an apprentice, the total government subsidy could reach AUD 20,500.

Taxes on Australian salaries

The Australian tax system is open and very productive. As in most Western countries, there is a proportional tax scale. By the way, the collection methods for an Australian resident and a foreign worker are somewhat different. You can calculate the exact amount of your tax deduction in Australia on the Tax Office website.

Income tax in Australia

Also, in addition to income tax, a two percent medical levy is deducted from salaries of Australian citizens.

Taxation of salaries

Labor income is subject to taxation even before it is paid to employees. From the accrued amount the following is withheld:

• Income tax – 0–45% (progressive scale).
• Fee for health insurance (Medicare) – 2% (national fee).
• MLS (Medicare levy surcharge) is an additional insurance payment for those who receive more than 90,000 Australian dollars. dollars per year (progressive rate - up to 1.5%).

The article “Taxes on income, property and wages in Australia” tells in detail about the tax system in the country.

Top income tax rates barely affect most Australians. Rates above 30% are paid mainly by high income earners and non-residents. For the latter, the minimum rate is 32.5%.

Getting a general idea of ​​your “net” salary helps you calculate taxes and withholdings. The additional MLS payment is not included in it; it is calculated based on the results of the year.

Income under $90,000 per year is not subject to the additional fee.

Working conditions in the IT sector and popular vacancies

There are not as many jobs for IT specialists in Australia as in America, but if you compare Russia, this is a very promising labor market. IT companies in Australia are dynamic, pay great attention to the quality side of work processes, and are ideal in terms of management and working conditions. The state supports this area of ​​activity, so the IT infrastructure is very developed on the continent. Australia has a very reliable financial sector, which is closely related to the IT business.

According to experts, Australia needs highly qualified specialists with IT specialties. Such as:

• Programmers (especially those with a specialization such as Java or C#, Wintel or VMWare.)
• Web engineers and craftsmen.
• Testers.
• Administrators.
• Project managers.
• Analysts and much, much more.

IT specialist salary in 2021

IT specialists are the highest paid category of workers. The average salary ranges from 50 to 90 thousand dollars in the USA per year. Of course, for beginners or in the first month of work it is difficult to count on a high income. Usually the employer takes a closer look at how you cope, and it is also important to gain experience. In this case, the salary will be relatively low. But if you have the potential and become a highly qualified specialist, then you can easily qualify for an income of 90 thousand dollars a year - this is the level of a senior or a very rare and valuable specialist. On average, what an ordinary IT specialist can expect is a salary from A$50K to A$70K per year.

Average salary level in Australia in 2021: employment of citizens and foreigners

The average salary in Australia attracts domestic job seekers who are looking for overseas employment. But behind the screen of high incomes are hidden exorbitantly high prices for goods and services, as well as not always satisfactory working conditions. But as the proverb says, “he who seeks will always find.” Therefore, it is possible to find a profitable job in Australia. The main thing is to know the existing nuances.

6 thousand is the average cost of labor for engineers.

Features of qualified employees

To get a job in your profession, you must obtain a skilled worker visa - Skilled independent Visa . It is not easy to obtain such a visa due to the need to meet a number of requirements:

• The applicant's age is not older than 45 years;
• Confirmation of professional skills
• Work experience in a position from the list of in-demand professions - Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL);
• Successfully passing an English language proficiency test;
• Physical and mental health.

Obtaining a visa gives the right to work in Australia for 5 years; after 4 years of permanent residence in the country, you can obtain citizenship. Having a visa does not guarantee employment in your profession. May be required to complete additional training, licensing, or registration. Internship programs are an excellent opportunity for students and young professionals. In this case, the immigrant has a great chance of starting a successful career without much turmoil and stress.

Obtaining a visa gives the right to work in Australia for 5 years; after 4 years of permanent residence in the country, you can obtain citizenship.

average salary

According to official data, the average salary as of November 2021 was 1,604.9 AUD per week. The Bureau of Statistics * provided the following data:

The level of payment depends on the following factors:

• the age of the employee (officially, salaries are calculated from the age of 16, while the rate is lower than for adult employees);
• gender of the worker (women most often earn less than men);
• education and specialty;
• city ​​or region where the place of work is located.

The dynamics of average monthly earnings can be affected by changes in both the level of earnings per employee and the composition of the labor force. Factors that may contribute to changes in composition include differences in the proportion of full-time, part-time, temporary and junior workers, differences in the distribution of occupations within and between industries, and differences in the distribution of employment between industries.

Residents of the capital region earn the most, with the lowest salaries on the island of Tasmania.

Earnings by profession

Pay directly depends on the industry. Information about vacancies in Australian companies is collected from employment sites: Seek.com.au, Au.jora.com.au, Jobactive, BlueCollar.com.au. The table shows the average income of workers by profession.

Engineering and medical specialties are in high demand. And the most expensive specialists are anesthesiologists, oncologists and dentists with an annual salary of 125,000 AUD (5.5 million rubles).

Australia has one of the highest rates of cancer in the world.

For migrants, a common type of employment is seasonal work in the agricultural industry with a payment of about 55,000 AUD (2.4 million rubles) per year. Visiting workers with appropriate qualifications and experience can apply for any position and pay on an equal basis with the local population.

Despite its remote location, Australia attracts migrant workers with high incomes.

Living expenses

For renting a one-room apartment you will need to pay from 900 to 2300 dollars. Utilities for this living space will cost another $150. Mobile communications and Internet cost about $100 monthly.

Meat can be bought from 6 dollars per kg, vegetables - from 3. Lunch in a cafe will cost about 15 dollars, and in a restaurant from 30. A metro pass costs 140 AUD, for car insurance you need to pay 700 AUD per year. Kindergarten will require payment of $1,400 monthly.

In addition to good salaries and pensions, the influx of emigrants in Australia is also ensured by a convenient work schedule.

Income tax in Australia

As in most Western countries, there is a proportional tax scale.

Salaries by profession

Considering that Australia is a supplier of quality food products (milk, meat, etc.), farming here is a very profitable industry.

In the Australian agricultural sector there are many vacancies for seasonal workers, and the cost of labor is not less than AUD 55,000 per year.

Specialists in other industries receive the following salaries:

Dynamics of minimum income over 5 years

Australia's hourly wage rate is reviewed annually on 1 June. At the same time, it is established not only for the adult population, but also for minors and students, since in the country you can start working, regardless of age.

Table 1. Minimum hourly rate, AUD

Source: official website of the Australian Bureau of Statistics

As can be seen from the table, wage growth is quite uniform. To see this, let's build a diagram.

Rice. 1. Dynamics of the minimum wage, AUD/hour

Australian law allows minors and students to work. Their pay depends on age. The difference between the hourly rate of twenty-year-olds and those under 16 is 165.5%.

Rice. 2. Increase in hourly rate depending on age, AUD

Considering that schooling in Australia lasts 13 years, children finish it when they are already 19. If at this age the child goes to work, then he will receive a minimum of AUD 15.09 per hour, and if he goes to university, even If he works part-time, his income should not be less than 10.06 AUD. Thus, students have lower wages compared to their peers who decide not to continue their education.

Material on topic! The average salary in Italy is much lower than in Australia.