Centrelink employee hourly pay varies by role, but common starting points for Customer Service roles are around $30-$38 per hour, with casual roles often advertised at $37.80/hr (including loading), while experienced or specialised roles like Social Workers can earn $38-$49/hr, reflecting broader government pay scales (APS levels). Actual rates depend on the specific classification (e.g., APS 4, 5, 6) and whether positions are permanent or casual, with higher-level roles like Team Leaders earning significantly more, around $47/hr or more on average.
The average Centrelink salary in Sydney can vary greatly by role. Annual salaries typically range from $60,000 (or $29) for a Customer Service Representative to $71,500 (or $34) for a Customer Service Officer. This is based on 38 salaries submitted on Glassdoor by Centrelink employees in Sydney as of December 2025.
The average Australian Government salary ranges from approximately $80,208 per year for Labourer to $142,819 per year for Director of People & Culture. The average Australian Government daily wage ranges from approximately $157 per day for Chief Operating Officer to $938 per day for Committee Member.
Centrelink has an employee rating of 2.9 out of 5 stars, based on 83 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have an average working experience there. The Centrelink employee rating is 20% below average for employers within the Government and public administration industry (3.6 stars).
The $4,000 Centrelink payment isn't a direct cash payment but a one-time boost to the Work Bonus income bank, available to eligible pensioners (Age Pension, Carer Payment, Disability Support Pension, Veterans) who are over Age Pension age and either receive these payments or restart them, helping them earn extra income without losing pension, with new recipients getting the $4,000 starting credit permanently from January 2024.
Benefits you can claim if you are not working or are on a low...
The average Australian full-time worker is now earning more than $2000 a week for the first time in history. New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show the average ordinary full-time weekly earnings for adults hit $2011.40 before tax in May.
In Australia, many jobs pay over $100,000, spanning sectors like Tech (ICT Manager, IT Specialist), Healthcare (Psychiatrist, Dentist, Pharmacist), Engineering (Mining, Aerospace, Construction), Finance (Accountant, Business Analyst), Construction (Project Manager, Site Manager, Trades like Electrician), Sales/Marketing (Business Development, Digital Marketing), and Management (HR Manager, Project Manager, Store Manager), with high potential in specialized trades, public service (Air Traffic Controller, Police Detective), and even roles like Pilot, often requiring specific skills, experience, or certifications.
Yes, $50 an hour ($98,800/year) is a very good wage in Australia, significantly above the average full-time earnings and offering a strong income for most lifestyles, common in skilled trades (electricians, plumbers) and professional roles, though living costs, especially housing in major cities, can influence its purchasing power.
You get paid 7.6 hours in Australia because the standard full-time work week is 38 hours, which divides into 7.6 hours per day (38 hours / 5 days), often incorporating unpaid meal breaks within a longer physical workday (like 9-to-5 with 30 mins off). This is the base "ordinary hours" rate, with anything extra typically paid as overtime or managed through arrangements like RDOs (Rostered Days Off).
High Paying Government Jobs
Social workers provide counselling, information and links to other support services. A social worker can help you if you have problems with your physical or mental health, finances or living situation. You can find a social worker through Centrelink, your local hospital or your doctor.
You can generally work up to 29 hours a week on some Centrelink payments like Disability Support Pension (DSP) without losing it, but exceeding 30 hours often affects eligibility, though it depends heavily on your specific payment (JobSeeker, DSP, etc.), your assessed work capacity (partial capacity), and your income level, with higher hours or income potentially reducing or pausing payments. For JobSeeker/Youth Allowance, exceeding around 30-35 hours (or full-time) can trigger a nil rate period. Always report any work to Services Australia within 14 days.
NDIS support worker pay varies but generally ranges from around $30-$40+ per hour for standard daytime shifts, increasing significantly for evenings, weekends (e.g., $90+), and overnights, based on NDIS pricing guidelines (like DSW Level 2.3/2.4 rates around $36-$38/hr) and market rates, with experienced workers earning more. Higher rates apply for complex tasks (personal care, specialist support) or remote areas, reflecting experience and qualifications.
The public sector is well known for its super perks: Australian Federal Government, for eg Department of Health and Aged Care 15.4% State Government Departments (eg Qld, Vic, NSW) Superannuation Contributions vary between 12% - 15.4% Local Government Typically 12% - 15%
The #1 highest-paying job is consistently in the medical field, with Surgeons and Anesthesiologists often topping lists globally and in countries like Australia, earning over $400,000 AUD on average due to extensive training and high-pressure responsibilities, though roles like Financial Dealers, CEOs, and specialized Engineers also rank high.
How much do you need to live comfortably in Australia? Living comfortably in Australia varies greatly depending on factors such as location, lifestyle and personal preferences. As a general guide, a single person living outside of a major city would need an annual income of $70 - $80k per annum or $5,800+ per month.
Currently, 34 states, territories and districts have minimum wages above the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Five states have not adopted a state minimum wage: Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee. Three states, Georgia, Oklahoma and Wyoming, have a minimum wage below $7.25 per hour.
A single person needs to earn £30,500 a year to reach a minimum acceptable standard of living in 2025. A couple with 2 children needs to earn £74,000 a year between them.
Here are 20 ideas you might consider to make money at home:
From 13 May 2024 the Administrative Earnings Threshold (AET) went up for individuals and couples. For individual claimants, the AET is £892 per assessment period. Additionally, if you're in a couple, the combined couple's AET is £1,437 per assessment period.
Generally, low income is considered to be 50% or less of area median income, moderate income is 80% of area median income.