What is the minimum wage for a 14-year-old in Australia?

There is no separate minimum wage for 14-year-olds. The national minimum wage applies, but junior rates reduce it. For award-free employees under 16, the rate is 36.8% of the adult minimum, which from 1 July 2026 is $9.73 per hour ordinary or $12.16 casual. If covered by a modern award, the award's junior rate applies and may be higher.

Does a 14-year-old get the adult minimum wage of $26.44?

No. The adult national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour applies to employees 21 and over. For those under 21, junior percentages apply. For a 14-year-old award-free, it is $9.73 per hour. However, if the 14-year-old is covered by an award, the award may set a higher junior rate.

What about casual loading and superannuation for a 14-year-old?

Casual employees receive a 25% loading on the ordinary rate. For a 14-year-old award-free casual, that is $12.16 per hour. Superannuation guarantee of 12% is paid on top of ordinary time earnings for all employees, including juniors, if they earn $450 or more in a month (threshold may change).

Minimum Wage Australia 14 Year Old: Understanding the Pay Floor for Young Workers

For award-free 14-year-olds, the legal minimum is $9.73 per hour (ordinary) or $12.16 casual, with 12% super on top.

Minimum Wage Australia 14 Year Old: Which Pay Floor Applies?

When people search for "minimum wage australia 14 year old", they often want to know how much a 14-year-old worker must be paid. The answer depends on whether the young person is covered by a modern award, an enterprise agreement, or is award-free. This guide explains the legal minimum, how it compares with other rates, and what employers must pay on top.

The Legal Minimum for Award-Free 14-Year-Olds

For award-free employees in the national system, the Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage. However, junior rates apply to employees under 21. According to the Fair Work Ombudsman's guidelines, a 14-year-old who is award-free falls into the "under 16" category. From 1 July 2026, the junior percentage is 36.8% of the adult national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour. This gives an ordinary rate of $9.73 per hour. For casual employees, the 25% loading brings it to $12.16 per hour.

These rates are the legal floor. No employer can pay less than this for an award-free 14-year-old. However, if the young person is covered by a modern award, the award's junior rate applies, which may be higher. For example, some awards have specific rates for juniors that are above the award-free percentage. Always check the relevant award first.

How This Compares with Other Pay Concepts

It is important to separate the legal minimum from other figures:

Survey average: The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings were $2,083.70 per week in May 2026. That is an average for adult workers, not a minimum. A 14-year-old's earnings will be far lower.
Award rate: If a 14-year-old works in an industry covered by a modern award, such as retail or hospitality, the award sets minimum wages for juniors. These are often higher than the award-free junior rate. For instance, the General Retail Industry Award has junior rates that start at a higher percentage for 14-year-olds.
Negotiated salary: An enterprise agreement or individual contract can set a higher rate than the award or national minimum, but never lower.

Superannuation: An Employer Payment on Top

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions on top of ordinary time earnings. From 1 July 2026, the rate is 12%. For a 14-year-old earning $9.73 per hour, the employer pays an additional $1.17 per hour into super. This is not deducted from the employee's pay; it is an extra cost for the employer.

Common Misunderstandings

Many people assume that the adult national minimum wage of $26.44 applies to all workers. That is incorrect. Junior rates are lawful and common. Another mix-up is thinking that casual loading replaces super or other entitlements. It does not. Casual loading compensates for not receiving paid leave, but super is still payable.

When an Award or Agreement Sets a Higher Rate

If a 14-year-old is covered by a modern award, the award's junior rate is the minimum. For example, the Fast Food Industry Award has specific rates for 14-year-olds that are higher than the award-free floor. Similarly, an enterprise agreement may set a higher rate. Always check the applicable industrial instrument.

For more details on which pay floor applies to you, see our guide on Which minimum wage applies. You can also browse Rate tables for award-free junior percentages.

State System Employees

Most private-sector employees are in the national system. However, some state public sector and local government employees, and some Western Australian sole traders and partnerships, are covered by state awards. Those state awards may have different junior rates. Check with your state's industrial relations body if you are not in the national system.

Tax and Take-Home Pay

A 14-year-old earning the junior minimum will likely earn below the tax-free threshold of $18,200 for the 2026-27 tax year, so no tax is withheld. However, if they earn over $30,000, Medicare levy of 2% applies. This guide does not constitute tax advice; consult the ATO or a tax professional.

Conclusion

The minimum wage for a 14-year-old in Australia is not a single figure. For award-free employees, it is $9.73 per hour ordinary or $12.16 casual. But many 14-year-olds are covered by awards that set higher rates. Always determine your award coverage first. For more information, visit our Guides section.