What is the current minimum wage in Australia?

From 1 July 2026, the adult 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. However, many employees are covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement that sets a higher minimum.

Do all workers get the minimum wage?

No. Juniors, apprentices, trainees, and employees on introductory award rates may be paid less. For example, award-free juniors under 16 receive 36.8% of the adult rate ($9.73 per hour). Apprentice and trainee rates follow the Miscellaneous Award. Supported wages for people with disability can also be lower. Always check the applicable award or agreement.

How does superannuation affect the minimum wage?

Superannuation is paid on top of the minimum wage. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. So an employee earning $26.44 per hour also receives an additional 12% (about $3.17) into their super fund. The minimum wage itself does not include super.

How Much Is the Minimum Wage in Australia? A Guide to the Pay Floor

As of 1 July 2026, the adult national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week, but many workers are covered by awards or agreements that set higher rates.

How Much Is the Minimum Wage in Australia?

When people ask "how much is the minimum wage in Australia", the straightforward answer is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for an adult full-time worker from 1 July 2026. But that figure is only one part of the picture. Australia’s pay system has multiple layers, and the rate that applies to you depends on your industry, your age, your employment type, and whether an award or agreement covers you.

The National Minimum Wage

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage each year. From 1 July 2026, the adult rate is $26.44 per hour, which works out to $1,004.90 for a 38-hour week. Casual employees get a 25% loading, so their minimum is $33.05 per hour. These rates apply to national-system employees who are not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement. Most private-sector workers are in the national system, but some state public sector and local government employees may be covered by state awards instead.

Award and Agreement Rates

A modern award or enterprise agreement can require a higher rate than the national minimum. For example, the lowest ongoing classification in a modern award cannot fall below $26.44 per hour, but many awards set rates above that. There is also an introductory rate for the first six months of employment under an award, which is $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week. If you are covered by an award, your minimum pay is the award rate, not the national minimum. Enterprise agreements negotiated between employers and employees can also set higher rates.

What About Juniors and Apprentices?

Not every worker receives $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), and a 20-year-old gets 97.7% ($25.84 per hour). Apprentices and trainees who are award-free follow the Miscellaneous Award, not the junior percentages. Supported wages for people with disability may also be lower. Always check the applicable award or agreement, as many awards have their own junior and apprentice schedules.

How the Minimum Wage Compares to Average Earnings

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that in May 2026, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week, and all employees averaged $1,579.20 per week. The national minimum wage is about half of the full-time average, reflecting that it is a floor, not a typical wage. Many workers earn well above the minimum through awards, agreements, or market rates.

Superannuation Is Paid on Top

Employers must pay superannuation on top of the minimum wage. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. So if you earn $26.44 per hour, your employer also contributes about $3.17 per hour into your super fund. This is not deducted from your pay; it is an additional cost for the employer.

Which Pay Floor Applies to You?

To know your correct minimum, start by checking if you are covered by a modern award. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides tools to find your award and its rates. If no award applies, the national minimum wage is your floor. Enterprise agreements can also set higher rates. For more detail, see Which minimum wage applies and our Rate tables.

Common Confusions

People often mix up the national minimum wage with award rates or survey averages. The national minimum is a legal floor; award rates are industry-specific and usually higher. The ABS average earnings are a statistical measure, not a legal requirement. Also, casual loading is separate from penalty rates, which may apply for weekend or night work. Remember that the national minimum is for adults; juniors, apprentices, and trainees have their own scales.

Summary

The answer to "how much is the minimum wage in Australia" is $26.44 per hour for adults from 1 July 2026, but your actual minimum may be higher if an award or agreement applies. Always check your specific circumstances, and remember that super is paid on top. For more guidance, visit our Guides or Topics pages.