What is the minimum wage for an 18-year-old in Australia?

The legal minimum depends on whether you are covered by a modern award. If award-free, the national junior rate applies: $18.06 per hour ordinary or $22.58 per hour casual (from 1 July 2026). If covered by an award, the award's junior rate applies, which may be different. Always check your award or agreement.

Does an 18-year-old get the adult minimum wage of $26.44?

No. The adult national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour applies to employees aged 21 and over. For 18-year-olds, the junior percentage is 68.3% of the adult rate, resulting in $18.06 per hour for award-free employees. Some awards have different junior percentages.

How does superannuation apply to an 18-year-old's wages?

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings, regardless of age. This applies to both award-free and award-covered employees. Super is paid in addition to the hourly or weekly wage.

Minimum Wage Australia 18 Year-Old: Award-Free Rates and Award Coverage

For award-free 18-year-old employees, the legal minimum is $18.06 per hour (ordinary) or $22.58 per hour casual, with 12% super on top.

Understanding the minimum wage for an 18-year-old in Australia

If you are searching for the "minimum wage australia 18 year-old", the answer is not a single figure. The legal pay floor for an 18-year-old depends on whether you are covered by a modern award, an enterprise agreement, or are award-free. The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage, and the Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces it. For 18-year-olds who are not covered by an award or agreement, the national junior rate applies. From 1 July 2026, that rate is $18.06 per hour for ordinary time, or $22.58 per hour for casual employees (including the 25% casual loading). Employers must also pay superannuation guarantee of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings.

Award-free junior rates for 18-year-olds

Award-free employees are those not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement. For these workers, the Fair Work Commission sets junior percentages of the adult national minimum wage. The adult rate from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week). For an 18-year-old, the percentage is 68.3%, giving:

Ordinary hourly rate: $18.06
Ordinary weekly rate (38 hours): $686.28
Casual hourly rate: $22.58 (includes 25% loading)
Casual weekly rate: $858.04

These rates are the legal minimum. No employer can pay less than these figures for an award-free 18-year-old. The adult weekly national minimum is $1,004.90, but that applies only to employees aged 21 and over.

How award coverage changes the rate

Most 18-year-old workers in Australia are covered by a modern award. Awards set minimum wages for specific industries and occupations, and they often have their own junior rates. For example, the General Retail Industry Award and the Hospitality Industry Award include junior wage scales that may differ from the award-free percentages. An award can set a higher rate than the national junior minimum, but never a lower one. To find out which award applies, use the Which minimum wage applies guide or check the Rate tables on this site. If you are unsure, ask your employer or contact the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Comparing to the adult national minimum wage

The adult national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (or $1,004.90 per week) is for employees 21 and over. For an 18-year-old, the junior percentage of 68.3% means you earn about two-thirds of the adult rate. This gap reflects the assumption that younger workers may have less experience or work fewer hours. However, if you are doing the same job as an adult under the same award, the award may specify a higher junior percentage. Always check your award or agreement.

The role of enterprise agreements and individual flexibility

Enterprise agreements negotiated between employers and employees (or their unions) can set pay rates above the award or national minimum, but never below. Individual flexibility arrangements can also adjust how award provisions apply, but the base rate cannot drop below the relevant minimum. If you are paid under an agreement, your hourly rate must still meet the junior floor for your age group.

Tax and super considerations

Superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% are paid by your employer on top of your ordinary time earnings. This applies regardless of age. For an 18-year-old earning $18.06 per hour, the super contribution adds about $2.17 per hour. Tax is withheld by your employer based on the tax tables. For the 2026-27 income year, if your total earnings are below the tax-free threshold ($18,200), you may not pay income tax, but Medicare levy of 2% may apply once your income exceeds $30,000. These are estimates; consult the ATO or a tax professional.

Summary

The minimum wage for an 18-year-old in Australia is not a single number. For award-free workers, it is $18.06 per hour ordinary or $22.58 casual. If an award covers you, the award rate applies and may be higher. Always verify your coverage using Which minimum wage applies and refer to Rate tables for specific award rates. Remember, super is paid on top, and the adult rate of $26.44 does not apply until age 21.