Is $100,000 a Good Salary in Australia? (2026)

A $100,000 salary in Australia in 2026 is a good income — placing you in approximately the 72nd to 75th income percentile and significantly above the national median of $55,868. After tax, you take home roughly $73,000 per year. Whether that’s comfortable depends almost entirely on where you live and what your housing costs are.

Quick answer: Yes, $100,000 is a good salary in Australia by any objective measure. It is above average, places you in the top quarter of earners, and provides a solid foundation for savings and wealth building in most Australian cities outside Sydney’s inner suburbs.

$100,000 After Tax in Australia (2025-26)

Under Australia’s 2025-26 tax brackets, a $100,000 salary breaks down as:

Assumes standard deductions only, no HELP debt, no private health insurance rebate.

HELP debt adjustment: If you carry HELP debt, an additional repayment of approximately $5,500/year (5.5% of income above the $54,435 threshold) is withheld — reducing effective take-home to approximately $67,500.

What Income Percentile Is $100,000 in Australia?

Based on ATO Taxation Statistics 2022-23:

A $100,000 income puts you solidly above average — but in the context of a professional salary, it’s achievable for many roles with 5–10 years of experience. Engineers, nurses, accountants, teachers in senior roles, and many public servants earn around this level.

How Far Does $100,000 Go by City?

After-tax income is $73,000 regardless of where you live. What varies dramatically is how far it goes:

Sydney

Median rent (1-bed apartment, inner): $2,600/month → $31,200/year
After rent: ~$41,800 remaining

Sydney is Australia’s most expensive city. A single person on $100,000 renting in the inner suburbs will be comfortable but not wealthy. Saving aggressively for a home deposit is difficult at this income level in Sydney without a partner’s income.

Melbourne

Median rent (1-bed apartment, inner): $2,100/month → $25,200/year
After rent: ~$47,800 remaining

Melbourne offers better value than Sydney. $100,000 allows for solid savings, reasonable lifestyle spending, and genuine wealth accumulation if managed well.

Brisbane

Median rent (1-bed apartment, inner): $1,900/month → $22,800/year
After rent: ~$50,200 remaining

Brisbane’s cost of living has risen significantly in recent years, but remains more affordable than Sydney and Melbourne. $100,000 is comfortable here with room for meaningful savings.

Perth

Median rent (1-bed apartment, inner): $1,900/month → $22,800/year
After rent: ~$50,200 remaining

Perth has seen strong rent increases driven by the mining boom and population growth. Still more affordable than Sydney, and $100,000 provides good living standards.

Adelaide

Median rent (1-bed apartment, inner): $1,550/month → $18,600/year
After rent: ~$54,400 remaining

Adelaide is the most affordable of Australia’s major capital cities. $100,000 in Adelaide goes further than $120,000 in Sydney on most spending categories.

Can You Save on $100,000 in Australia?

Assuming average expenses, a disciplined approach on $73,000 take-home in Brisbane or Adelaide could look like:

At this savings rate, someone on $100,000 could accumulate $150,000 in financial assets in 5 years (excluding super and investment returns) — a strong foundation for a home deposit or investment portfolio.

Is $100,000 Enough to Buy a House in Australia?

Servicing a mortgage on $100,000 depends on the lender and your deposit:

• Borrowing capacity (typical lender): Approximately $500,000–$550,000 on a single $100,000 income
• Median home price nationally: ~$780,000
• Gap: Most borrowers on $100,000 need a partner, a large deposit, or to purchase in a lower-priced market

The government’s Home Guarantee Scheme allows eligible first home buyers to purchase with as little as a 5% deposit without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance — worth checking if you’re earning around $100,000.

Related Articles

• Income Percentile Calculator — Australia
• Average Income by Age in Australia
• Average Income by State in Australia
• Average Salary in Australia
• Net Worth Percentile Calculator — Australia

Written by WealthVieu

WealthVieu researches and writes data-driven personal finance guides using primary sources including the IRS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, and Census Bureau.