In 2007-08, the average wage and salary income in Australia was approximately $43,921, with full-time adult ordinary time weekly earnings around $1,090 (May 2007). These figures varied, but the average annual income rose from the previous year and showed strong growth, particularly in Western Australia and Queensland, reaching higher levels in capital cities.
In Australia in 2009-10, the annual average Wage and salary income for persons was $48,907. Males recorded a higher average ($58,813) than females ($38,255).
In 2007, major news stories included health, citizenship testing and Australia's migration policy. The deportation of Dr Mohammed Haneef and the return of David Hicks from Guantánamo Bay attracted special attention.
In 1999-2000 there were approximately nine million income units living in private dwellings in Australia. While their mean gross weekly cash income was $726, the median (i.e. the midpoint when all units are ranked in ascending order of income) was considerably lower at $535 (table 1).
A $75k salary in Australia is decent, above the median income for many age groups and allowing for comfortable living in regional areas, but it can be tight in expensive cities like Sydney or Melbourne, especially for families, with many feeling $100k is needed for stability, though it's a strong starting point for younger professionals. After tax, $75k becomes roughly $58.6k ($4,888/month), meaning lifestyle, location, and financial goals (like saving for a house) heavily influence whether it's considered "good".
Also in 2007, Facebook and Twitter went global; Kindle and Android were released; Airbnb was founded; Google bought YouTube; IBM created its artificial intelligence system Watson, and fracking began, Friedman noted in an interview on CNBC's Squawk Box."
Indeed, the 1990s, and the second half of the 1990s in particular, ranks as one of Australia's best periods in terms of historically high productivity, strong GDP growth and GDP growth per capita, low inflation and falling unemployment — a period which not only reinforced prosperity and wealth from Australia's own ...
The fall in commodity prices and the rush to a safe haven currency took the Australian dollar down 38% from 97.9 US cents on 15 July 2008 to 60.5 on 27 October the same year.
Yes, $100k is generally considered a strong salary in Australia, placing you above the average (which hovers around $90k-$108k for full-time, but median is lower) and allowing for a comfortable life, though its impact depends heavily on location (major city vs. regional) and personal expenses like housing and dependents, as high living costs in cities like Sydney can stretch this income further than in regional areas.
Average annual salary in Australia for 2025: AU$98,000 • Median annual salary: AU$88,400 • Highest state average is Australian Capital Territory: AU$113,27 • Lowest state average is Tasmania: AU$91,011 • Mining, IT, and Finance are the highest-paying industries • Minimum wage of 2025: around AU$46,000 per year.
According to ABS data, just 2.61 million Aussies – or about 10 per cent of the population – earn $100,000 or more a year. Many people will never reach a six-figure income in their working lives.
It should be noted that some states have minimum wage laws establishing minimum wage standards that exceed the Federal level of $5.15 per hour.
Australians are also earning a lot more now than we were back then; the average full time earnings in 1975 was $7,600 per year, today the annual average earnings exceed $72,000 per annum.
Yes, Australians are facing significant financial struggles in 2025, with high cost of living, rising debt, and widespread financial insecurity, particularly impacting young people, renters, and lower-income families, leading many to feel worse off and struggle to meet basic expenses despite some economic indicators improving. Key issues include affordability of essentials (food, housing), increased use of Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), and a general sentiment that financial health isn't improving, say reports from Monash University, SBS News, The Salvation Army Australia, The West Australian, Agile Market Intelligence, ASIC, The Guardian, Broker Daily, and Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
The richest country by GDP (PPP) per capita is often cited as Singapore, followed closely by Luxembourg, depending on the specific report and year, with Singapore leading in 2025 estimates with around $156,000-$157,000 per person, while Luxembourg is a strong contender just below that, highlighting small, finance-heavy economies as wealthiest per person.
Between December 2007 and June 2009 the United States experienced the most severe recession in the postwar period. The over 4 percent decline in gross domestic product (GDP) was only reversed more than three years after the beginning of the recession.
In 2007, losses on mortgage-related financial assets began to cause strains in global financial markets, and in December 2007 the US economy entered a recession. That year several large financial firms experienced financial distress, and many financial markets experienced significant turbulence.
In 2007 most Americans didn't realize the country was barreling toward the Great Recession, and optimistic families enjoying rising stock prices and a stable job market kept growing. A record 4.3 million births were recorded in the US that year, the largest baby boom in history.
The highest-grossing film globally in 2007 was Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, followed by Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and Spider-Man 3. The best-selling album globally in 2007 was the High School Musical 2 soundtrack, followed by Back to Black by Amy Winehouse and Noël by Josh Groban.
Yes, $36 an hour (around $75k annually) is a solid wage in Australia, generally considered good as it's above the minimum wage and near or slightly above the median earnings for many full-time roles, providing a comfortable living, though it's below the average for higher-paid professionals, depending on location and lifestyle needs.
All Australian workers are entitled to a minimum wage. This is the least you can be paid for doing a certain job. It's illegal for an employer to pay you less than the minimum wage. As of 1 July 2025, the national minimum wage is $24.95 per hour or $948 a week (if you work 38 hours).
The top 10 highest-paying professions in Australia for 2025