What is the national minimum wage in Australia from 1 July 2026?

From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38‑hour week. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual rate $33.05 per hour. These rates apply to award‑free and agreement‑free employees in the national system.

Can an employer pay less than the national minimum wage?

Generally no, but there are exceptions for junior employees, apprentices, trainees, employees with disability, and introductory award rates. For example, award‑free juniors under 16 are entitled to $9.73 per hour (36.8% of the adult rate). A modern award or enterprise agreement may set a higher rate, but never lower than the applicable minimum.

How does superannuation affect the comparison between a salary and the minimum wage?

Superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% are paid by the employer on top of ordinary time earnings. When comparing a salary like Allison Langdon’s with the minimum wage, remember that the minimum wage figures are before tax and do not include super. The employer must also pay super on the minimum wage, so the total cost to the employer is higher than the hourly rate suggests.

Allison Langdon salary: how Australia’s pay floors compare with a TV journalist’s earnings

No official public figure for Allison Langdon salary is published by the Fair Work Ombudsman, Fair Work Commission, ABS, or ATO; her earnings are almost certainly well above the national minimum wage.

What we know about Allison Langdon salary

Allison Langdon is a prominent Australian television journalist, best known as a co‑host of the Today show on Channel 9. Her salary is a matter of public curiosity, but no precise figure is published by the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Fair Work Commission, the Australian Bureau of Statistics, or the Australian Taxation Office. Unlike award rates or the national minimum wage, the pay of high‑profile media personalities is typically negotiated privately and is not disclosed in any public register.

This guide explains how Australia’s pay floors work and how a salary such as Allison Langdon’s would compare with the legal minimums, award rates, and the ABS average. Even without a specific number, we can place her earnings in context.

The legal minimum: national minimum wage and awards

For any employee in the national system who is not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement, the national minimum wage applies. From 1 July 2026, that rate is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38‑hour week (Which minimum wage applies). Casual employees receive a 25% loading, bringing the casual rate to $33.05 per hour. Superannuation of 12% is paid on top of these amounts.

Most television journalists are covered by the Broadcasting and Recorded Entertainment Award 2020 (the Broadcasting Award). That award sets minimum rates for classifications such as journalist, producer, and presenter. The lowest ongoing classification under the Broadcasting Award cannot fall below the national minimum wage. From 1 July 2026, award minimum wages rose by 4.75%, but the lowest ongoing rate is at least $26.44 per hour. Introductory rates (limited to the first six months) are $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week.

Allison Langdon, as a senior on‑air presenter, would be classified well above the entry level. The Broadcasting Award contains higher classifications for experienced journalists and presenters. However, the award rates are still far below what a network would pay a prime‑time host. The award is a safety net, not a ceiling. Enterprise agreements or individual contracts can set higher pay.

How a TV host’s salary compares with the average

The ABS’s May 2026 Average Weekly Earnings report shows that full‑time adult ordinary‑time earnings are $2,083.70 per week (about $108,352 per year). All employees (including part‑time and casual) average $1,579.20 per week (about $82,118 per year). A senior television host like Allison Langdon would earn many times these averages. Public reports from past years have suggested that top Today show hosts earn between $500,000 and $1 million annually, but those figures are not officially confirmed.

Because no official source publishes Allison Langdon salary, we cannot give a precise comparison. What is clear is that her earnings are far above the national minimum wage and the ABS average. The chart below would show an hourly rate if one were available, but we do not have a defensible figure.

Junior and special rates: not relevant here

Allison Langdon is an adult employee, so junior rates do not apply. Award‑free juniors (under 21) receive a percentage of the national minimum wage: for example, a 20‑year‑old gets $25.84 per hour (97.7%). Apprentices and trainees have their own special rates under the Miscellaneous Award. These provisions are irrelevant to a high‑profile presenter.

Superannuation: an extra cost on top

When discussing any salary, it is important to note that the employer must pay superannuation guarantee of 12% on ordinary time earnings. For an employee earning the national minimum wage, the employer’s total cost is $29.61 per hour ($26.44 + 12% super). For a high earner like Allison Langdon, the super contribution is substantial, but it is paid into a fund and is not part of take‑home pay.

How to find the right minimum wage for your job

If you are trying to understand your own pay floor, use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool or check the Rate tables on this site. Most employees are covered by a modern award. If you are award‑free and agreement‑free, the national minimum wage applies. Remember that enterprise agreements can set higher rates, and individual contracts can be above the award.

For journalists, the Broadcasting Award is the default. You can find the full award on the Fair Work Commission’s website. The Commission sets the minimum rates each year after the Annual Wage Review. The Ombudsman enforces compliance.

Conclusion

Allison Langdon salary is not a matter of public record from official Australian sources. What we can say is that her earnings are almost certainly well above the national minimum wage, the ABS average, and any award rate. The legal pay floors exist to protect the lowest‑paid workers, not to cap the earnings of high‑profile talent. If you are researching your own pay, start with the award or the national minimum wage, then look at enterprise agreements or your contract. For more guidance, see How the figures work and Topics.