What is the minimum wage for a 15 year old in Australia?

From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage for a 15-year-old who is award-free and not covered by an enterprise agreement is $9.73 per hour for ordinary time (36.8% of the adult rate of $26.44). If employed casually, the minimum is $12.16 per hour (including the 25% casual loading). These rates apply to national-system employees. If a modern award or enterprise agreement covers the job, it may set a higher rate.

Does a 15 year old get casual loading?

Yes. For award-free employees, the casual loading is built into the junior casual rate. For a 15-year-old, the casual minimum is $12.16 per hour, which is 25% above the ordinary junior rate of $9.73. The loading compensates for not receiving paid leave such as annual leave and sick leave. If a modern award applies, the award may specify a different casual loading or junior rate.

Can a 15 year old be paid less than the junior rate?

No, unless a specific exemption applies. The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage, and the junior percentage for under 16 is a legal floor. Paying less than $9.73 per hour (ordinary) or $12.16 per hour (casual) would be unlawful for an award-free employee. However, if the employee is an apprentice or trainee, different rates from the Miscellaneous Award may apply. Always check if a modern award or enterprise agreement covers the job, as it may require a higher rate.

Minimum wage for 15 year old: legal pay floor and how it compares

For award-free 15-year-olds, the legal minimum is $9.73 per hour (ordinary time) or $12.16 per hour casual, with 12% super on top.

Minimum wage for 15 year old: the legal pay floor

If you are 15 years old and starting your first job in Australia, the minimum wage you are entitled to depends on whether you are covered by a modern award, an enterprise agreement, or no award at all. For award-free employees (those not covered by any award or agreement), the Fair Work Commission sets a junior percentage of the adult national minimum wage. From 1 July 2026, the adult rate is $26.44 per hour, and a 15-year-old (under 16) receives 36.8% of that, which is $9.73 per hour for ordinary time. If you work casually, the rate is $12.16 per hour (including the 25% casual loading).

How the junior rate is calculated

The Fair Work Commission determines the national minimum wage each year. For award-free juniors, the percentages are fixed by regulation. A 15-year-old falls into the "under 16" category. The rate is designed to reflect that younger workers often have less experience and may work fewer hours. However, the rate is a floor – you cannot be paid less than this. Your employer must also pay superannuation guarantee of 12% on top of your ordinary time earnings (not including casual loading).

When a higher rate applies

Many 15-year-olds work in industries covered by a modern award, such as retail, hospitality, or fast food. Awards often have their own junior rates, which may be higher than the award-free percentage. For example, the General Retail Industry Award 2020 sets junior rates that increase with age and experience. Similarly, an enterprise agreement negotiated between an employer and employees can set a higher minimum. Always check the Which minimum wage applies guide to see if an award covers your job. If it does, the award rate is the legal minimum, and it may be more than $9.73 per hour.

Casual loading and penalties

Casual employees receive a loading (usually 25%) instead of paid leave. For a 15-year-old award-free casual, the loading is already included in the $12.16 per hour rate. If you work under an award, you may also be entitled to penalty rates for evening, weekend, or public holiday work. Those penalties are separate from the casual loading and can significantly increase your pay. The Rate tables page shows common award rates for juniors.

What about apprentices and trainees?

If you are 15 and employed as an apprentice or trainee, the junior percentages above do not apply. Instead, the Miscellaneous Award 2020 sets minimum rates for award-free apprentices and trainees, which are based on a percentage of the trade rate. Those rates are different and may be lower or higher depending on the year of the apprenticeship. Always confirm your classification with your employer or the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Superannuation and tax

Your employer must pay super guarantee of 12% into a super fund on top of your ordinary time earnings. This is not deducted from your pay – it is an extra cost for the employer. For a 15-year-old earning $9.73 per hour, the super contribution is about $1.17 per hour. Tax is withheld from your pay by your employer based on the tax-free threshold. If you earn less than $30,000 in a financial year, you may not pay much tax, but you still need to lodge a tax return. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) provides guidance on tax for juniors.

How the minimum wage compares

This site does not have a survey average for 15-year-old workers, so we cannot compare the legal floor to a market rate. The ABS average full-time adult ordinary-time earnings for May 2026 was $2,083.70 per week, but that is for adults in full-time work. A 15-year-old typically works fewer hours and in entry-level roles, so the legal minimum is a relevant benchmark. If you are paid more than $9.73 per hour, that is above the legal floor – but always check that you are receiving any award or agreement entitlements you are due.

Summary

The minimum wage for a 15-year-old award-free employee in Australia is $9.73 per hour (ordinary) or $12.16 per hour (casual) from 1 July 2026. Super of 12% is paid on top. If a modern award or enterprise agreement applies, the rate may be higher. For more details, see the How the figures work page or the Topics section on junior rates.