Key Facts: Tunisia vs Australia Wages
- Tunisia Minimum Wage
- TND2.31/hr ($0.74 USD)
- Australia Minimum Wage
- A$24.95/hr ($17.90 USD)
- Tunisia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- TND1,200 /mo ($383.39 USD)
- Australia Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- A$7,833 /mo ($5,619.08 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministère des Affaires Sociales / SMIG/SMAG decrees (2026-02-24), Fair Work Commission / Fair Work Ombudsman (2026-05-27)
Tunisia
Australia
Updated 2026-05-27
The minimum wage in Tunisia is roughly 24 times lower than in Australia in USD terms, reflecting the gap between a lower-middle-income and a high-income economy. Average gross salaries diverge further: $383/mo in Tunisia versus $5,619/mo in Australia, a 14.7:1 ratio. GDP per capita (PPP) in Australia is 5.0x that of Tunisia, underscoring the structural economic divide.
From Tunisia's perspective: adjusting for purchasing power, Tunisia's minimum wage buys less than Australia's. The PPP-adjusted hourly rate in Tunisia is $3 international dollars, compared to $18 in Australia. Tunisia has lower GDP per capita ($14,521 vs $72,111). Tunisia's unemployment rate is 15.1% compared to Australia's 4.1%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Tunisia | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | TND2.31 $0.74 | A$24.95 $17.90 |
| Minimum wage /day | TND16 $5.11 | — |
| Minimum wage /mo | TND480 $153.35 | A$4,108 $2,946.92 |
| Minimum wage /yr | TND5,760 $1,840.26 | A$49,296 $35,362.98 |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | TND1,200 /mo $383.39 | A$7,833 /mo $5,619.08 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | TND1,020 /mo $325.88 | A$5,875 /mo $4,214.49 |
| Median individual income /yr | TND7,200 /yr $2,300.32 | A$67,600 /yr $48,493.54 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Tunisia is higher.
Work Week
- Tunisia
-
48 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.75x pay
Labour Code allows both 48-hour and 40-hour regimes depending on sector and collective agreements. Most industrial/services workers are on 48 hours. Overtime surcharge: 75% for daytime hours beyond standard. Night and holiday overtime receive higher premiums. The 40-hour regime is increasingly common in services and offices.
- Australia
-
38 hrs/wk standard
Max 38 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard full-time workweek is 38 hours. Employers can request reasonable additional hours. Overtime and penalty rates vary by Modern Award.
• WAGE TRAJECTORY (USD/hr)
What This Means for Workers
A minimum wage worker in Tunisia earns 2326% less per hour in USD terms than one in Australia. Standard work weeks differ: Tunisia mandates 48 hours while Australia mandates 38 hours. A minimum wage worker's weekly earnings in Tunisia are $35 vs $680 in Australia.
See this comparison from Australia's perspective: Australia vs Tunisia
Compare Tunisia with...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Tunisia or Australia?
In Tunisia, the minimum wage is TND2.31/hr ($0.74 USD). In Australia, it is A$24.95/hr ($17.90 USD). Australia has the higher rate by 2326% in USD terms. That nominal gap does not account for local prices; see the purchasing power comparison below for a cost-of-living-adjusted view. Workers in Tunisia may retain a larger share of their earnings if prices there are lower.
How much less does the average worker earn in Tunisia compared to Australia?
The average gross salary in Tunisia is TND1,200/mo ($383.39 USD), compared to A$7,833/mo ($5,619.08 USD) in Australia. In USD terms, workers in Tunisia earn approximately 1366% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Tunisia and Australia is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Australia earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Tunisia.
Which country has better purchasing power for minimum wage workers, Tunisia or Australia?
After adjusting for local prices using purchasing power parity (PPP), minimum wage workers in Australia can afford more than those in Tunisia. The PPP-adjusted rate is $3 in Tunisia and $18 in Australia. PPP converts wages into equivalent US dollar buying power, accounting for what a unit of currency actually buys locally. The 610% purchasing power gap means that even if the nominal wage in Tunisia appears competitive, minimum wage workers there face greater constraints on day-to-day spending.
How do work hours compare between Tunisia and Australia?
Tunisia has a longer standard work week at 48 hours, compared to 38 hours in Australia. Workers in Tunisia work 48 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Australia working fewer hours may have comparable or better effective hourly earnings depending on the wage levels of each country. Total annual compensation depends on both the wage rate and the number of hours required.
What is the cost of living difference between Tunisia and Australia?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Australia has the higher GDP per capita at $72,111, which is 5.0x that of Tunisia at $14,521. From Tunisia's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a lower economic level. A higher GDP per capita generally correlates with higher wages, higher consumer prices, and greater availability of goods and services. Workers moving between these two countries should expect significant differences in rent, food, and transportation costs.