What is an excellent salary in Australia?

An excellent salary in Australia starts around AUD 180,000 to 200,000 a year, putting the earner in the top 5 percent of taxpayers. At AUD 200,000, net pay runs roughly AUD 132,000 after federal income tax (which tops out at 45 percent above AUD 190,000) and the 2 percent Medicare levy, or about AUD 11,000 a month. Against Sydney’s moderate single-person benchmark of $3,925, that level supports a comfortable-tier lifestyle in any capital with room for savings and discretionary spending. The top 1 percent of earners in Australia clear AUD 350,000 and above, concentrated in senior finance, executive, medical specialist, and technology roles. AUD 100,000 is a solid professional salary in most of Australia; AUD 150,000 is strong; AUD 200,000-plus is excellent. For the full picture, see our Australia cost of living page.