Minimum Wage Perth: Understanding the Legal Pay Floor in Western Australia's Capital

Minimum wage in Perth: the legal floor

If you are looking up the minimum wage in Perth, you are likely trying to find the legal pay floor that applies to your work in Western Australia's capital. The answer depends on whether you are covered by the national workplace relations system or the state system, and whether a modern award or enterprise agreement sets a higher rate.

National minimum wage applies to most Perth workers

Most private-sector employees in Perth are national-system employees. For these workers, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a full-time adult (38 ordinary hours). This rate is set by the Fair Work Commission and enforced by the Fair Work Ombudsman. If you are award-free and agreement-free, this is the absolute minimum your employer can pay you. However, note that the adult weekly figure is the published $1,004.90; multiplying $26.44 by 38 gives $1,004.72 due to rounding – the official weekly rate takes precedence.

Casual employees receive a 25% loading, bringing the casual minimum to $33.05 per hour or $1,255.90 per week (based on 38 ordinary hours). This loading replaces entitlements such as paid annual leave and sick leave.

Superannuation is on top

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions on top of your ordinary time earnings. From 2026-27, the super guarantee rate is 12%. This is not deducted from your wage; it is an additional payment made into a super fund. For a full-time adult on the national minimum, the employer pays an extra $120.59 per week in super (12% of $1,004.90).

Award and agreement rates can be higher

A modern award or enterprise agreement can require a higher minimum wage than the national minimum. Most industries and occupations have awards that set specific pay rates for classifications, often above $26.44 per hour. If you are covered by an award, your employer must pay at least the award rate for your classification. The award backstop ensures that the lowest ongoing classification cannot fall below the national minimum. Introductory award rates for the first six months are capped at $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week.

Enterprise agreements negotiated between employers and employees (or unions) can also set higher rates. Always check your award or agreement first; the national minimum is a safety net, not a target.

Junior and apprentice rates

For award-free employees under 21, the national minimum is reduced by age-based percentages. For example:

• Under 16: $9.73 per hour ($12.16 casual)
• 16 years: $12.51 per hour ($15.64 casual)
• 17 years: $15.29 per hour ($19.11 casual)
• 18 years: $18.06 per hour ($22.58 casual)
• 19 years: $21.82 per hour ($27.28 casual)
• 20 years: $25.84 per hour ($32.30 casual)
• 21 and over: $26.44 per hour ($33.05 casual)

These percentages apply only if no award or agreement covers the job. Apprentices and trainees in award-free employment follow the Miscellaneous Award, not the junior percentages. Employers cannot pay less than the applicable junior rate.

How does the minimum compare to average earnings?

The national minimum wage in Perth is significantly below the average full-time adult ordinary-time earnings in Australia, which the ABS reported as $2,083.70 per week in May 2026. The average all-employees total earnings (including part-time and casual) was $1,579.20 per week. These averages include higher-paid roles and overtime, so they are not a benchmark for minimum pay. The minimum wage is a floor, not a typical wage.

State system workers in Perth

Some workers in Perth are in the Western Australian state industrial relations system. This includes state public sector employees, local government workers, and certain sole traders and partnerships. If you are in the state system, your minimum wage may be set by a state award or the WA minimum wage (which is currently aligned with the national minimum, but always confirm). Check with the Fair Work Ombudsman if you are unsure which system covers you. For more guidance, see Which minimum wage applies and explore our Rate tables for award and junior rates.

Tax and take-home pay

For the 2026-27 tax year, a full-time adult on the national minimum ($1,004.90 per week) earning about $52,255 annually would pay an estimated 2% Medicare levy once earnings exceed $30,000. The low-income tax offset and tax-free threshold reduce tax further. This site does not provide tax advice; consult the ATO or a tax professional.

Key points to remember

• The national minimum wage in Perth for most employees is $26.44 per hour ($33.05 casual) plus 12% super.
• Juniors, apprentices, and trainees may be paid less under specific rules.
• Awards and enterprise agreements often set higher rates – always check your coverage.
• Super is an employer payment on top of your wage, not a deduction.
• The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum; the Fair Work Ombudsman enforces it.

For more details, visit our Guides on award coverage and pay calculations.