Thinking about a career in graphic design?
So, you’ve got an eye for colour, a love of fonts, and a knack for turning ideas into stunning visuals. That’s awesome, graphic design is one of those careers where creativity meets real-world impact. But when you’re planning your future, there’s one big question on your mind: how much can you make as a graphic designer in Australia?
Whether you’re fresh out of school, switching careers or dreaming of one day leading a creative team, this guide walks you through what you can expect to earn, from starting pay for juniors right through to senior salaries, plus a few insider tips on how to grow your wages, salary or income along the way.
Why graphic design is in demand right now
Every business you can think of needs design. From your local café needing a new menu to massive brands launching national ad campaigns. With more companies moving online, there’s a growing need for people who can make websites, apps and social content look amazing and easy to use.
This means there’s steady demand for designers across Australia, and the more digital skills you have (think UX, motion graphics, or web design), the higher your chances of landing better-paying jobs.
The first step: Graphic design qualifications and skills that count
Now, do you need a degree to be a graphic designer? Not always. What you do need is proof that you can create brilliant work. That usually means a strong graphic design portfolio and a solid understanding of design principles and tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Figma.
Some people take a Certificate IV or Diploma in Graphic Design to get started, while others dive into short courses to sharpen specific skills. Practical experience with internships or freelance gigs are gold. That’s because it builds your portfolio and makes you more attractive to employers (and boosts your starting pay).
Graphic designer salary: What you can expect to be paid in Australia
Earnings and Hours | Graphic and Web Designers, and Illustrators | All Occupations |
|---|---|---|
Share of workers who work full-time hours | 77% | 69% |
Average full-time hours worked per week | 42 hours | 44 hours |
Median full-time earnings per week | $1,500 | $1,697 |
Median hourly earnings | $40 | $43 |
Source:
Share of workers who work full-time hours: ABS, Labour Force Survey, 2024, four-quarter average, customised report.
Average full-time hours worked per week: ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on place of usual residence.
Median full-time earnings per week and Median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2023, customised report.
We’ve sourced the latest figures from the ABS for 2025 so you’ve got a clear picture of what graphic design wages and salary are realistic for Australia. Remember, these are averages. Your actual pay will depend on things like where you live, what kind of company you work for and the skills you bring to the table.
For a secondary source of data, according to Seek, the average annual salary for Graphic Designer jobs in Australia ranges from $70,000 to $85,000, or an hourly average rate of $30-$35.
Below, we’ve broken down the average salaries to expect based on experience.
Graphic design starting pay: Junior graphic designer salary
If you’re just starting out, you’re likely to earn around $50,000 to $65,000 a year (about $25 to $33 an hour), based on data from Payscale.
Junior roles are all about learning on the job. You’ll be given design tasks, help adapt layouts and slowly build your creative confidence. Your salary might not set the world on fire yet, but don’t stress because there’s plenty of room to grow.
Experienced graphic designer salary
With 3–5 years under your belt, you’re no longer the new kid on the block. You’ve got experience handling clients, bigger projects and maybe even leading small teams.
At this level, you can expect $63,000 to $90,000 a year, with top earners getting more if they have specialised skills like UX or motion design. Freelance designers often set higher hourly rates, think $40 to $60 an hour, but keep in mind, freelance income can fluctuate.
Lead graphic designer salary
By the time you’re a senior, advanced or lead graphic designer, you’re not just creating visuals, you’re shaping creative direction, managing teams, doing web and UX design, light video editing and influencing brand strategy. That kind of expertise commands a bigger paycheck. You can check out this Reddit community thread or what’s been reported on Glassdoor to see what people are saying about senior graphic design salaries.
Most senior graphic designers in Australia make $90,000 to $120,000+ a year, with some specialised roles pushing beyond $130,000. Senior freelancers with a great reputation can charge $70 to $100 an hour.
What affects your wage as a graphic designer?
There’s no one-size-fits-all salary in this field. A few key things make a big difference:
Experience: Time in the industry almost always leads to higher graphic design pay.
Location: Bigger cities usually mean bigger salaries.
Special skills: UX, motion graphics and animation can bump up your rate.
Type of employer: Agencies can be fast-paced but may pay less than in-house roles; freelancing can pay more but isn’t always steady.
Qualifications and portfolio: The better your skills and portfolio, the easier it is to negotiate for more.
How to boost your graphic design salary
Want to move up the graphic design career ladder faster? Here are some proven tips:
Build a niche: Specialists in UX, packaging design or motion graphics often earn more.
Keep learning: Short graphic and digital design courses and certifications help you stay competitive.
Network: Connect with other creatives and potential clients online and at events.
Show results: Employers pay more when you can show your designs help sell, engage or convert.
Consider freelance or contract gigs: These often pay higher hourly rates once you’ve got experience.
The future outlook for graphic design careers
Graphic design isn’t going anywhere, but it’s evolving. Digital-first skills are more valuable than ever, and new areas like AI-powered design tools, AR/VR experiences and interactive media are opening up well-paying opportunities.
The bottom line is that if you’re willing to keep learning and adapting, your earning potential as a designer in Australia is only going up.
FAQs
What’s the starting pay for graphic designers in Australia?
Most entry-level jobs pay starting at or around $50k annually.
Can you make good money freelancing as a graphic designer?
Yes, there’s good money to be made freelancing as a graphic designer. Freelancers often charge more per hour, but you need to manage your own clients and workload., and look after the business side of things.
Which city pays graphic designers the most?
At the time of this article in 2025, Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory pays graphic designers the most, followed by Hobart, Tasmania. Although please bear in mind this is a static snapshot in time based on advertised salaries. See more here for the most up to date information.
What's the highest-paying graphic design role?
Senior UX designers, creative directors and brand consultants can earn $120k–$150k or more.
Ready to take your graphic design career further?
If you’re serious about boosting your earning potential, the right training can make all the difference. Monarch Institute’s graphic design courses online are designed to help you gain real-world skills, build a professional portfolio and get noticed by top employers.