Minimum wage rates.au

Minimum Wage 2025: Current Rate and How It Compares

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2025 is $24.95 per hour or $948 per week for adult employees not covered by an award or agreement.

Minimum Wage 2025: The Legal Floor

The national minimum wage for 2025 is set by the Fair Work Commission and takes effect from 1 July 2025. For adult employees not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement, the rate is $24.95 per hour or $948.00 per week for a 38‑hour ordinary week. This is the legal minimum pay floor for national‑system employees. Casual employees receive a loading (usually 25%) on top, but the exact casual rate for 2025 is not separately published in the official figures. Superannuation of 12% is paid by the employer on top of ordinary time earnings.

How the 2025 Rate Compares to Award Rates

Modern awards set their own minimum wages for specific industries and classifications. Many award rates are higher than the national minimum. The national minimum is a backstop: if an award classification rate falls below $24.95/h, the award must be topped up to that floor. For example, the introductory rate under many awards is $25.74/h from 1 July 2026, but for 2025 the award backstop is $24.95/h. Always check your Which minimum wage applies to see if an award covers you.

Casual Loading and Superannuation

Casual employees are entitled to a loading (usually 25%) instead of paid leave. For 2025, the casual loading is not published as a separate figure, but you can calculate it as 25% on top of the hourly rate. Superannuation guarantee is 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. This is an employer payment, not deducted from your wage.

Award‑Free Juniors and Apprentices

If you are under 21 and award‑free, your minimum wage is a percentage of the adult rate. For 2025: under 16 $9.73/h, 16 $12.51/h, 17 $15.29/h, 18 $18.06/h, 19 $21.82/h, 20 $25.84/h. At 21 you get the full adult rate. Apprentices and trainees follow the Miscellaneous Award, not these percentages. See Rate tables for full details.

Negotiated Salaries and Enterprise Agreements

Enterprise agreements can set higher rates than the national minimum or award. If you are covered by an agreement, your pay must be at least the agreement rate. The national minimum is only the floor; most employees earn more through awards or agreements.

What About Survey Averages?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports average weekly earnings. For May 2026, full‑time adult ordinary‑time earnings were $2,083.70 per week. This is a survey average, not a legal minimum. Your pay may be above or below this average depending on your industry and role. The national minimum is the only enforceable floor.

Frequently Asked Questions

See the FAQs above for common queries about the 2025 minimum wage.

For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.

Questions people ask next

What is the minimum wage for 2025 in Australia?

For the 2025–26 financial year, the national minimum wage is $24.95 per hour or $948.00 per week for a full-time adult employee working 38 ordinary hours. This rate applies from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2025. Casual employees receive a loading (usually 25%) on top, but the exact casual rate is not published separately in the 2025 figure. Superannuation of 12% is paid by the employer on top of ordinary time earnings.

Does the minimum wage apply to casual workers?

Yes, the national minimum wage applies to all national-system employees who are award-free and agreement-free. Casual employees are entitled to the same minimum hourly rate as a permanent employee, plus a casual loading. However, modern awards or enterprise agreements can set a higher rate. The casual loading is not a penalty rate; it is a separate entitlement.

Can my employer pay me less than the minimum wage if I'm under 21?

If you are award-free and not covered by a modern award, your minimum wage is based on your age. For 2025, the junior percentages for award-free juniors are: under 16 $9.73/h, 16 $12.51/h, 17 $15.29/h, 18 $18.06/h, 19 $21.82/h, 20 $25.84/h. At 21 and over you get the full adult rate. Apprentices and trainees have their own rates under the Miscellaneous Award. Your employer cannot pay less than the applicable junior or award rate.

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