Averages...
The most common average figure referred to is the "mean", which as has been explained, very misleading. The most pertinent figure is the "mode", where the greatest portion of the sample lie - i.e. the middle of the bell curve.
I think for Australia the mode lies at somewhere around $27,000. So, no need to cut wrists based on the "mean". (Maybe for other reasons such as crappy conditions, but not the mean wage comaprison!)