What is the Australian minimum wage for 2026?

From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage for adult award-free employees is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making it $33.05 per hour. Employers must also pay 12% superannuation on top of ordinary time earnings. These rates are set by the Fair Work Commission and enforced by the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Do I have to be paid the national minimum wage if I am covered by an award?

No. If you are covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement, your minimum pay is set by that award or agreement, which is usually higher than the national minimum wage. The award or agreement cannot pay less than the national minimum for any classification. Award-free employees who are not covered by any award or agreement must receive at least the national minimum wage.

Can junior employees be paid less than $26.44 per hour?

Yes, for award-free employees, junior rates apply based on age. For example, a 16-year-old gets 47.3% of the adult rate ($12.51 per hour, casual $15.64). Apprentices and trainees have their own rates under the Miscellaneous Award. However, if a junior is covered by an award, the award's junior rates apply. The national minimum wage is the floor for adults; juniors have lower percentages.

Australian minimum wage 2026: Award coverage versus award-free rates

The Australian minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week) for adult award-free employees, with a casual loading of 25% taking it to $33.05 per hour, and employers must also pay 12% superannuation on top of ordinary time earnings.

Understanding the Australian minimum wage 2026

The Australian minimum wage 2026 is the legal pay floor set by the Fair Work Commission for employees who are not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement. From 1 July 2026, the adult national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, bringing their minimum to $33.05 per hour. On top of these amounts, employers must pay the superannuation guarantee of 12% of ordinary time earnings. These figures apply to national-system employees who are award-free and agreement-free. Most private-sector employees are in the national system, though some state public sector and local government employees, and some Western Australian sole traders and partnerships, may be covered by state awards instead.

Award coverage versus award-free rates

The national minimum wage is a safety net, but many employees are covered by a modern award that sets higher minimum rates for their industry or occupation. The Fair Work Commission also adjusts award rates each year. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, modern award minimum wages rise by 4.75%. However, the lowest ongoing classification in an award cannot sit under the national minimum of $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week. An introductory rate, limited to the first six months, cannot sit under $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week. Enterprise agreements can also set higher rates than the award or the national minimum. A negotiated salary may be above any of these floors, but it must still meet the relevant minimum.

For award-free employees, the national minimum wage is the only legal floor. If you are not covered by an award or agreement, your employer must pay you at least the national minimum. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces these obligations. It is important to check whether a modern award applies to your job before assuming the national minimum is your rate. You can use the Which minimum wage applies guide on this site to help determine your coverage.

Junior, apprentice, and supported wages

Not every worker must receive $26.44 per hour. Award-free junior employees are paid a percentage of the adult rate based on age. For example, a 16-year-old gets 47.3% ($12.51 per hour, casual $15.64), a 17-year-old gets 57.8% ($15.29 per hour, casual $19.11), and a 20-year-old gets 97.7% ($25.84 per hour, casual $32.30). Apprentice and trainee rates for award-free employees follow the Miscellaneous Award, not the junior percentages. Supported wages for employees with a disability may also be lower under a supported wage system. If you are covered by an award, the award's own junior or apprentice rates apply instead of these percentages.

How the national minimum compares with averages

The national minimum wage is a floor, not an average. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported in May 2026 that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week, and all employees average total earnings were $1,579.20 per week. The national minimum of $1,004.90 per week is lower than both averages, reflecting its role as a safety net. Many workers earn above the minimum due to award rates, enterprise agreements, or market conditions. The Rate tables on this site show how award rates compare with the national minimum.

Tax and super considerations

For the 2026-27 tax year, resident rates with the full tax-free threshold apply. Medicare is estimated at 2% once annualised ordinary gross earnings reach $30,000. The low-income tax offset and other adjustments are not included in this model. Superannuation is an employer payment on top of the minimum wage. For an adult award-free employee earning $26.44 per hour, the employer must contribute an additional 12% (approximately $3.17 per hour) into the employee's super fund. This is not deducted from the hourly rate; it is paid in addition.

Final notes

This guide is for orientation only. It is not a pay determination, tax advice, or legal advice. The adult weekly national minimum is the published $1,004.90 figure. Multiplying $26.44 by 38 hours gives $1,004.72 due to rounding, but the official weekly rate is $1,004.90. Casual weekly figures on this site are the published casual hourly rate times 38 ordinary hours, with no penalty rates. For more detail on how these figures work, see How the figures work. Always check your specific award or agreement to know your correct minimum pay.