SEEK’s Salary Pulse: Australia
SEEK’s Salary Pulse: Australia
Australia’s state of pay in 2026: Satisfaction, fairness and how to talk about pay rises.
In a time of financial pressure, how Australians feel about their pay has never mattered more. SEEK's Salary Pulse report, from the latest Signature Insights research, uncovers the gap between feeling fairly paid and feeling truly satisfied, and what employers and employees can do about it.
This research was conducted by market research agency Nature on behalf of SEEK via an online survey in February 2026. Responses were gathered from 3,046 Australians aged 18 to 64 who are currently employed, on a nationally representative basis.
Most Australians feel fairly paid but not necessarily content
Most Australians feel they’re being paid fairly for the current job they’re in. But, only half report being happy with their salary, revealing a gap between what feels fair and what they’d like to earn.
Regularly checking in on pay satisfaction (not just pay rates) gives you a more accurate picture of how your people are really feeling.
Salary happiness boosts motivation and prevents turnover
Satisfied employees are almost 3x more motivated to go above and beyond, while those who aren’t are twice as likely to be looking for the door. Understanding pay satisfaction is key to keeping people motivated and sticking around.
Workers are willing to make compromises for a higher salary
27% of employees would be willing to consider a lower job title for a 10% pay rise, but very few would sacrifice their values. For employers who can't move on salary, the good news is that benefits matter: flexible work arrangements, additional leave and rostered days off are all compelling alternatives.
Movers are being rewarded with higher pay increases
Staying loyal to employers could come at a cost. Movers are more than 3x more likely to receive a substantial pay increase (greater than 10%) compared to those who stayed. Make sure long-serving employees feel seen and rewarded.