Median salary Melbourne: what it means for your take-home pay
The median salary for employees in Greater Melbourne is around $63,274 per year (2022–23), but your fortnightly take-home depends on tax brackets, the Medicare levy, and super.
What the median salary Melbourne means for your fortnight
If you are looking at the median salary Melbourne, you are probably trying to work out what lands in your bank account each fortnight. The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows that the median weekly earnings for all employees across Australia was $1,436 in May 2025, which works out to about $74,672 a year. For Melbourne specifically, the median employee income was $63,274 in 2022–23, according to the ABS Personal Income data. That figure includes part-time workers, so full-time employees in Melbourne typically earn more.
But the number on your pay slip is not the whole story. Three things change your fortnight: the tax brackets, the Medicare levy, and super.
Tax brackets and your fortnight
Your employer withholds tax from each pay using the 2026–27 resident rates. The first $18,200 is tax-free. Then you pay 15c for every dollar between $18,201 and $45,000, then 30c up to $135,000. If you earn the Melbourne median of $63,274, you are in the 30c bracket on the portion above $45,000. That means your tax on that salary is about $4,020 plus 30c per dollar over $45,000 – roughly $9,502 in tax. You may also be eligible for the Low Income Tax Offset, which can reduce your tax by up to $700, but it phases out as your income rises.
After tax, your annual take-home is around $53,772, or about $2,068 per fortnight. But that is before the Medicare levy.
The Medicare levy: a 2% slice
Most residents pay the Medicare levy of 2% of their taxable income. The latest published single-person thresholds are $28,011 and $35,013. If you earn below $28,011, you pay no levy. Between $28,011 and $35,013, the levy is 10c per dollar over the lower threshold. Above $35,013, you pay the full 2%. On the Melbourne median of $63,274, the levy is $1,265.48. That reduces your fortnightly take-home by about $49.
Super: not deducted from your salary
Super is a separate contribution your employer makes on top of your salary. From 1 July 2026, the rate is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. If your job advertisement says "$63,274 plus super", your employer pays an extra $7,592.88 into your super account each year. That money is not part of your take-home pay – it goes into your super fund for retirement. So when you compare salaries, always check whether the figure is inclusive of super or plus super.
Putting it together for the median salary Melbourne
Using the Melbourne median of $63,274, here is a rough estimate of your fortnight:
- Annual salary: $63,274
- Tax (after LITO if applicable): about $9,502
- Medicare levy: $1,265
- Net annual: $52,507
- Fortnightly take-home: $2,019
This is before any salary packaging, HELP debt repayments, or the Medicare levy surcharge. Your actual pay may vary depending on your exact circumstances.
For a more precise calculation, use the Take-home pay guide on this site. You can also check the Tax and Medicare page for the latest thresholds.
Why the median matters
The median salary Melbourne gives you a benchmark. Half of all employees in Melbourne earn less than $63,274, and half earn more. If you are earning around that figure, you can see how the tax system and Medicare levy affect your fortnight. If you earn more, you move into higher tax brackets and lose some of the Low Income Tax Offset. If you earn less, you may pay no Medicare levy and less tax.
Remember, the median includes part-time workers. Full-time workers in Melbourne have a higher median – the national full-time median is $1,887 per week, or about $98,124 a year. But the Melbourne-specific full-time median is not separately published.
Final thought
Your fortnightly take-home is not just your salary divided by 26. The tax brackets, Medicare levy, and super all play a role. Use the Benchmarks page to compare your pay with national averages, and always check whether a job offer is plus super or inclusive of super.
Questions
What is the median salary Melbourne for full-time workers?
The ABS reports that the median weekly earnings for all full-time employees in Australia was $1,887 in May 2025, which is about $98,124 a year. For Melbourne specifically, the median employee income (including part-time) was $63,274 in 2022–23. Full-time workers in Melbourne typically earn more, but the exact median for full-time only is not separately published for Melbourne.
How do I calculate my take-home pay from the median salary Melbourne?
Start with your annual salary. For 2026–27, tax is nil on the first $18,200, then 15c per dollar up to $45,000, then 30c up to $135,000. Add the Medicare levy of 2% (full rate if you earn over $35,013). Subtract any Low Income Tax Offset if eligible. Then divide by 26 for fortnightly pay. Super is usually paid on top of your salary, not deducted from take-home.
Does the median salary Melbourne include super?
No. The median figures from the ABS and other sources are before super. Most job advertisements quote a salary plus super, meaning the employer pays 12% super on top (from 1 July 2026). Your take-home pay is based on the salary figure, not including super.