Is $90,000 a Good Salary in Australia 2025?
Sitting right around the national average, $90k represents solid middle-class income in Australia. But what does it actually mean for your lifestyle? Here's the complete breakdown of living on $90,000 across the country.
Ultimate Salary Calculator Team
Our content is written and reviewed by finance and tax enthusiasts to ensure accuracy.
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The Reality: $90k is Solidly Middle Class
$90,000 puts you right in the middle of Australian earners – it's just below the national average of $92,000. This isn't "rich" territory, but it's definitely "comfortable" if you're smart with your money and realistic about your lifestyle choices.
$90k at a Glance
What You Get
- • $5,669 monthly take-home pay
- • Comfortable living in most Australian cities
- • $1,000-$1,600 monthly savings potential
- • Middle-class lifestyle with some luxuries
- • Path to homeownership with planning
Where You Stand
- • Around the 50th percentile of earners
- • Sydney will require compromises
- • Melbourne offers good quality of life
- • Brisbane/Perth provide excellent value
- • Foundation for building wealth
Your Take-Home Pay Breakdown
Here's exactly what $90,000 looks like after tax and Medicare levy:
$90,000 Salary Breakdown (2025 Tax Rates)
Annual Breakdown
Monthly Breakdown
Lifestyle Scenarios: What $90k Actually Means
Your experience on $90k will vary dramatically based on your life situation. Here's how different scenarios play out:
Single Professional - SydneyChallenging but possible
Single Professional - MelbourneComfortable
Single Professional - BrisbaneVery comfortable
Young Couple (Combined $180k)Very good
Single Parent + 1 ChildManageable with planning
City-by-City Breakdown: Where Your Money Goes Furthest
Location makes a huge difference with a $90k salary. Here's how your $5,669 monthly take-home stretches across Australia's major cities:
| City | Rent Range | Transport | Total Fixed | Left Over | Savings Rate | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | $2,200-2,600 | $180 | $3,800 | $1,869 | 15-20% | Challenging |
| Melbourne | $1,900-2,300 | $160 | $3,400 | $2,269 | 20-25% | Comfortable |
| Brisbane | $1,700-2,100 | $140 | $3,000 | $2,669 | 25-30% | Very comfortable |
| Perth | $1,600-2,000 | $130 | $2,900 | $2,769 | 30-35% | Excellent value |
| Adelaide | $1,400-1,800 | $120 | $2,600 | $3,069 | 35-40% | Outstanding value |
Realistic Monthly Budgets
Let's get specific about where your money goes. Here are three realistic monthly budgets for different Australian cities on $90k:
Sydney: Shared Housing Strategy
$5,669/month
Melbourne: Comfortable Independence
$5,669/month
Brisbane: Great Lifestyle Balance
$5,669/month
Career Context: Where $90k Fits
Understanding where you stand career-wise helps set realistic expectations. Here's how $90k compares across different life stages:
Graduate (22-25)
Median: $55,000-65,000
Excellent start
Focus on aggressive saving while lifestyle costs are low
Early Career (26-30)
Median: $65,000-75,000
Above average
Great foundation for property deposit and relationship planning
Mid Career (31-35)
Median: $75,000-85,000
Solid middle class
Time to focus on wealth building and family financial security
Experienced (36-45)
Median: $85,000-95,000
Average to slightly below
Consider career advancement strategies or skill development
Industry Context: How $90k Stacks Up
Your $90k salary means different things depending on your industry. Here's the context:
Teaching
Avg: $75,000At $90k: Senior teacher level
Growth: Limited but stable
Excellent benefits and job security
Nursing
Avg: $85,000At $90k: Experienced RN level
Growth: Good with specialization
High demand, shift work premiums available
Marketing
Avg: $78,000At $90k: Marketing manager level
Growth: Good with digital skills
Highly variable by company size
Engineering
Avg: $95,000At $90k: Junior to mid-level
Growth: Excellent
High demand, especially in mining states
IT/Software
Avg: $105,000At $90k: Junior developer level
Growth: Excellent
Rapid salary growth potential
Finance
Avg: $88,000At $90k: Analyst level
Growth: Good in major cities
Bonus potential varies significantly
Smart Money Strategies for $90k
With careful planning, your $90k can feel like $100k+. Here's how to maximize every dollar:
Housing Strategy
Location trade-offs: Consider commute vs rent savings
Shared housing: Cut rent by 30-40% in expensive cities
Regional options: Dramatically better lifestyle in smaller cities
Wealth Building
Automate savings: 20-25% savings rate should be achievable
Super contributions: Maximize concessional contributions
Investment strategy: Start with index funds and property research
Income Growth
Skill development: Target $100k-$110k within 2-3 years
Side income: Freelancing or consulting opportunities
Career planning: Strategic job changes every 2-3 years
When $90k Isn't Enough
Be realistic about the limitations. Here are scenarios where $90k might feel tight:
$90k Challenges
- • Living alone in premium Sydney/Melbourne areas
- • Supporting family members financially
- • High existing debt (credit cards, personal loans)
- • Expensive lifestyle preferences (luxury cars, frequent travel)
- • Starting a family without partner income
- • Private school fees and childcare costs
- • Significant health issues or ongoing medical costs
- • Wanting to buy property in expensive markets quickly
The Path Forward
$90k is a solid foundation, but it's not the finish line. Here's how to think about your next moves:
Your $90k Action Plan
Short-term (6-12 months)
- • Optimize your budget using our examples above
- • Build a $15,000 emergency fund
- • Research property markets if homeownership is a goal
- • Start salary negotiation research for your next review
Medium-term (1-3 years)
- • Target $100k-$110k salary through promotion or job change
- • Save $40,000-$60,000 property deposit
- • Develop additional income streams
- • Consider strategic location moves for better value
Bottom line: $90,000 is a respectable middle-class salary that provides financial stability and lifestyle flexibility. With smart choices about location and spending, it's absolutely enough for a comfortable life – and a great foundation for building wealth.