What is the minimum wage for a 19-year-old in Australia?

For award-free employees not covered by an award or agreement, the minimum wage for a 19-year-old is 82.5% of the adult national minimum wage. From 1 July 2026, that is $21.82 per hour or $829.16 per week for ordinary hours. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making it $27.28 per hour. If a modern award covers the job, the award’s own junior rate applies, which may be different.

Does a 19-year-old get the adult minimum wage?

No, not automatically. The adult national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026) applies to employees aged 21 and over who are award-free. For 19-year-olds, the legal floor is lower at $21.82 per hour unless a modern award, enterprise agreement, or the employee’s contract sets a higher rate. Some awards also have junior rates that may be higher or lower than the award-free percentage.

How much super does a 19-year-old get on the minimum wage?

Employers must pay super guarantee of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. For a 19-year-old earning the award-free minimum of $21.82 per hour for 38 hours a week, that is an extra $99.50 per week in super contributions. The super is paid into a fund, not as cash to the employee. This applies regardless of age, as long as the employee earns $450 or more before tax in a month (threshold removed from 2024-25 onward).

Minimum wage for a 19-year-old: legal rate, tax, and super explained

The legal minimum for a 19-year-old award-free employee is $21.82 per hour (ordinary) or $27.28 per hour casual, as at 1 July 2026.

Minimum wage for a 19-year-old: legal rate, tax, and super

The minimum wage for a 19-year-old in Australia depends on whether they are covered by a modern award, an enterprise agreement, or are award-free. For award-free employees, the Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage, and the rate for a 19-year-old is a percentage of the adult figure. From 1 July 2026, the adult national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week. The junior percentage for a 19-year-old is 82.5%, giving a legal minimum of $21.82 per hour for ordinary time, or $27.28 per hour for casual work (including the 25% casual loading). The weekly equivalent is $829.16 before tax. Super guarantee of 12% is paid on top of these ordinary time earnings by the employer.

How the legal minimum compares with other figures

The legal minimum for a 19-year-old is not the same as the average wage. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) May 2026 data, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week, and all employees (including part-time and casual) averaged $1,579.20 per week. These averages are much higher than the junior minimum, reflecting experience, qualifications, and full-time adult status. The legal minimum is a floor, not a target. Many 19-year-olds covered by a modern award will have a higher minimum rate set by that award. For example, the Retail Award or Hospitality Award may specify junior rates that differ from the award-free percentage. Enterprise agreements can also set higher rates. Always check your specific award or agreement first. See our Rate tables for a full list of junior percentages and award rates.

The weekly packet: tax, Medicare, and super

A 19-year-old earning the award-free minimum of $21.82 per hour for a 38-hour week receives a gross weekly wage of $829.16. From that, the employer must deduct tax according to the ATO’s 2026-27 resident tax rates (using the full tax-free threshold). Once annualised ordinary gross earnings exceed $30,000, Medicare levy of 2% also applies. For this wage, annualised earnings are about $43,116, so Medicare applies. The exact take-home amount depends on the employee’s circumstances, but it will be less than the gross figure. On top of the gross wage, the employer pays 12% super guarantee – an additional $99.50 per week into a super fund. Super is not deducted from the employee’s pay; it is an extra cost for the employer. For more on how these figures are calculated, read our Guides on pay and super.

When the adult minimum applies

The adult national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour applies to award-free employees aged 21 and over. For a 19-year-old, the adult rate does not apply unless the employee is covered by an award or agreement that sets a higher rate, or if the employer chooses to pay above the minimum. Some awards have no junior rates, meaning the full adult rate applies regardless of age. Others have junior rates that may be higher than the award-free percentage. It is important to check the specific award coverage. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides free resources to help employees and employers determine the correct rate.

Award-free junior percentages at a glance

The Fair Work Commission sets the following percentages for award-free employees under 21 (from 1 July 2026):

Under 16: 36.8% ($9.73/h)
16: 47.3% ($12.51/h)
17: 57.8% ($15.29/h)
18: 68.3% ($18.06/h)
19: 82.5% ($21.82/h)
20: 97.7% ($25.84/h)
21 and over: 100% ($26.44/h)

These rates apply only to award-free employees. If you are covered by a modern award, the award’s own junior rates take precedence. Apprentices and trainees have separate rates under the Miscellaneous Award. The legal minimum is a floor; no one can be paid less than these amounts unless a specific exemption applies (e.g., supported wage).

What about casual loading?

Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the ordinary hourly rate. For a 19-year-old award-free casual, that means $27.28 per hour. The casual loading compensates for not receiving paid leave entitlements such as annual leave and sick leave. The weekly casual figure on this site is the published casual hourly rate multiplied by 38 ordinary hours, with no penalty rates added.

Key takeaway

The minimum wage for a 19-year-old award-free employee is $21.82 per hour from 1 July 2026. This is a legal floor. Many 19-year-olds will be entitled to more under an award or agreement. Always check your specific situation. The ABS average earnings show that most adult workers earn significantly more, but the minimum wage ensures a baseline. Remember that super is an extra payment on top, and tax and Medicare reduce the take-home amount. For further details, explore our Topics page on junior rates and award coverage.