The creator economy is booming across Australia and New Zealand, but a stark reality is emerging for those hoping to make YouTube a full-time career: where you live matters more than you might think.
The team at content collaboration platform Planable analysed YouTube income potential across 34 countries, comparing platform earnings to local average wages using OECD data and industry CPM (Cost Per Mille) rates. The result? A surprising geographic advantage for Australian creators in the global YouTube landscape.
Key findings:
- Australian creators need 1.85 million YouTube views annually to earn the national average wage of $67,101 — around 5,000 views per day.
- That’s 31% fewer views than UK creators, who require 2.67 million views to reach their average salary.
- New Zealanders need 2.06 million views, despite a lower average wage, making monetisation tougher across the Tasman.
- Japan, a neighbouring market, requires 4.4 million views, or 2.4x more than Australia.
- Australia stands out as one of the few developed countries where monetisation scales realistically with creator output, making it a rare haven for YouTubers pursuing sustainable careers.
YouTube Views Needed to Earn the Average Annual Wage
| Country | Average Annual Wage ($) | Views Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | 67,101 | 1,853,107 |
| New Zealand | 58,097 | 2,063,837 |
| Mexico | 20,474 | 2,152,892 |
| Canada | 66,211 | 2,271,389 |
| United States | 80,115 | 2,446,260 |
| United Kingdom | 57,617 | 2,668,689 |
| Ireland | 56,809 | 3,121,374 |
| Germany | 65,719 | 3,497,552 |
| Norway | 71,972 | 3,568,270 |
| Switzerland | 83,332 | 3,602,767 |
| Spain | 51,336 | 3,610,127 |
| Israel | 50,964 | 3,619,602 |
| Portugal | 37,500 | 3,633,721 |
| Netherlands | 70,185 | 3,949,634 |
| Denmark | 69,525 | 3,975,129 |
| Austria | 71,167 | 4,221,056 |
| Sweden | 57,996 | 4,341,018 |
| Japan | 46,792 | 4,443,685 |
| Belgium | 73,206 | 4,744,394 |
| Greece | 30,238 | 4,853,612 |
| Finland | 57,860 | 5,124,889 |
| Poland | 41,050 | 5,352,021 |
| Korea | 49,062 | 5,525,000 |
| Latvia | 38,740 | 5,869,697 |
| Slovenia | 55,660 | 6,722,222 |
| Lithuania | 48,864 | 7,123,032 |
| Czechia | 37,366 | 12,666,441 |
| France | 59,087 | 13,101,330 |
| Iceland | 87,421 | 20,189,607 |
| Hungary | 31,709 | 35,232,222 |
| Slovak Republic | 31,733 | 47,362,687 |
| Italy | 48,874 | 54,914,607 |
| Estonia | 37,404 | 106,868,571 |
| Luxembourg | 89,767 | 256,477,143 |
Miruna Dragomir, Chief Marketing Officer at Planable, comments: “While 5,000 daily views is no small feat, it’s far more achievable than the industrial-scale output required in many European or Asian markets. Australia offers a rare combination of strong wages and relatively generous monetisation.”
Dragomir Shares These Tips for YouTube Creators:
- Focus on consistency over virality: With a lower view threshold, Aussie creators can succeed by building loyal audiences—no need for overnight fame.
- Think Trans-Tasman, not just local: Tap into audiences across both Australia and New Zealand for regional reach.
- Manage your content creation efficiently: 5,000 views per day requires volume and organisation. Use tools that help, plan, preview, and publish seamlessly.
- Diversify your channels: YouTube may be foundational, but adding Instagram or TikTok gives creators more income routes without total dependence.
Dragomir concludes: “Australia’s YouTube economy reflects a rare win for creators: achievable view thresholds and decent wages. With the right systems and strategy, full-time content creation isn’t just possible, it’s practical. The opportunity is real, especially for those who plan sustainably.”
