Is My Pay Rate Any Good? How to Check What You Should Be Earning (Australia)

'Is my pay any good?' has three separate answers in Australia, and it's worth knowing all three: (1) Is it above the legal minimum for your role? (2) Is it competitive with the market? (3) Does your salary actually cover the hours you work? A pay packet can pass one test and fail another. Here's how to check each in a few minutes — free, and grounded in real Australian data, not a generic guess.

Most roles have a legally-binding minimum set by a Modern Award. Find yours with the Pay Rates by Award tool, or ask the FairWork Mate AI advisor what award and classification you fall under and what the minimum is — it answers from the actual award and cites it. If you're at or below that figure, that's not 'a bit low' — it may be unlawful, and the Am I Being Underpaid? tool can help you check.

The award is the floor, not the goal. The Salary Benchmark tool shows typical pay for your role so you can see where you sit. Ask the AI advisor to factor in your industry, location and experience for a sharper read. If you're well below market for the same work, that's your lever for a pay-rise conversation.

This is the one most people miss. A flat salary can look fine until you count the 50-hour weeks, weekend shifts and overtime. The Annualised Salary Reconciliation tool compares your salary to what the award would pay for your actual pattern of hours — including penalties and overtime. If the award figure is higher, you may be underpaid despite a 'good' salary on paper. This became a major issue after the 2025 salaried-manager rulings covering tens of thousands of workers.

If you're below the award, start with the underpayment check and the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94). If you're legal but below market, build a pay-rise case. Either way, the AI advisor can walk your specific situation — grounded in Australian law, every figure sourced. General information, not legal or financial advice.