It's worthwhile looking at the salaries in context of their advancement structure, and then comparison to the "Average Full-time Adult Earnings" for the country. In OZ, the average adult fulltime worker earns a little over A$40k (say, US$20K). Our exact salaries and structure are reposted below:
(from D&G forum)
The current salary structure has new entrants on $28k moving to $42 for final field training, then $56k upon initial rating (after approx 18 months). Salary is then subject to 12 annual increments up to $105k ($113k in Sydney).
Proposed structure has new entrants on $28k then 4 annual increments all the way up to $49k working as an assistant/trainee until initial rating. First rated salary has been dropped to $50k and there are 11 annual increments to the maximum of $90k. A new classification "Senior ATC" is then available subject to meeting eligability criteria and availability of positions (capped at 40-60% of all ATCs) which provides access to another 4 annual increments to $105k. New entrants can only reach the top salary level after minimum 19 years!
This new classification structure is one of the primary causes of the current industrial dispute at Airservices, despite the impact being only on new employees. Airservices is devaluing the ATC career path, ripping off new entrants but hoping (in vain, this time) to get the 'yes' vote from current staff because they don't get the raw end of the deal.