Social Worker salary in New South Wales
Updated 22 July 2026
Nationally, the median is $85,500 — New South Wales sits $3,155 above the national figure. See the national picture →
Take-home on the median Social Worker salary of $88,655 — after $17,385 income tax and $1,773 Medicare levy (2025–26 resident, no HECS, private hospital cover).
National figures · February 2026 · Source: Jobs and Skills Australia (© Commonwealth of Australia), CC BY 4.0
What companies pay
Reported total pay for Social Worker roles by employer — medians include bonuses and other cash compensation, so they sit above base-salary figures.
| Company | Median total pay | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| NSW Department of Health★ 3.3 | $103,414 | $85,100 – $118,200 |
| NSW health★ 3.5 | $103,000 | $90,000 – $110,000 |
| NSW Government★ 4.1 | $99,000 | $77,000 – $110,000 |
| Australian Government Services Australia★ 3.3 | $97,500 | $95,000 – $105,500 |
| Northern NSW Local Health District★ 3.6 | $97,331 | $83,000 – $107,100 |
| Sydney Children's Hospital Network★ 3.6 | $95,949 | $69,967 – $101,827 |
| Calvary★ 3.4 | $90,896 | $82,992 – $98,800 |
| Mid North Coast Local Health District★ 3.3 | $89,111 | $69,967 – $94,587 |
| NSW Department of Communities and Justice★ 3.6 | $85,000 | $70,000 – $114,000 |
| Western Sydney Local Health District★ 3.2 | $84,812 | $74,000 – $98,700 |
| Key Assets★ 3.0 | $83,000 | $76,000 – $88,000 |
| The Benevolent Society★ 3.1 | $79,900 | $75,000 – $88,000 |
| Western NSW Local Health District★ 4.0 | $79,800 | $78,075 – $81,134 |
| Sydney Local Health District★ 3.6 | $79,040 | $71,077 – $87,043 |
| South West Sydney Local Health District★ 3.0 | $74,258 | $69,160 – $103,503 |
| The Royal Melbourne Hospital★ 3.9 | $69,000 | $68,000 – $70,000 |
| Hawkesbury District Health Services★ 4.1 | $53,194 | $45,922 – $59,655 |
| Coles Group★ 3.5 | $42,484 | $33,592 – $51,376 |
Social Worker pay by state
Median base salary and range where enough data exists — every figure labelled with its source.
Victoria
Queensland
Western Australia
South Australia
Tasmania
Australian Capital Territory
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Salary figures are market estimates built from third-party data and community submissions — they show what the market pays, not what any individual employer will offer. Take-home figures are 2025–26 estimates for an Australian resident with private hospital cover and no HECS debt. General information only — not financial or tax advice.