Does every Australian worker get $26.44 per hour?

No. The $26.44 rate applies only to adult award-free employees in the national system. Juniors, apprentices, trainees, and employees covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement may have different minimum rates. Some awards have introductory rates as low as $25.74/h for the first six months. Always check your award or agreement.

How does the Australian minimum wage compare to the UK minimum wage?

This site covers Australian rates only. For UK rates, refer to the UK government. In Australia, the national minimum wage is set by the Fair Work Commission and enforced by the Fair Work Ombudsman. The current adult rate is $26.44/h, which is higher than the UK national living wage when converted, but direct comparisons are complex due to different currencies, tax systems, and living costs.

What is superannuation and is it included in the minimum wage?

Superannuation (super) is an employer contribution paid on top of your ordinary time earnings. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12%. It is not part of the minimum wage itself. For example, on a $26.44/h wage, your employer must also pay $3.17/h into your super fund.

Minimum Wage UK vs Australia: What the Australian Pay Floor Means for You

From 1 July 2026, the Australian national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for adult award-free employees, with a 25% casual loading ($33.05/h).

Minimum Wage UK? Here’s the Australian Pay Floor

If you’ve searched for “minimum wage UK” and landed here, you’re on an Australian site. This guide explains the national minimum wage in Australia, how it works, and how to check whether your pay meets the legal floor. The rules are set by the Fair Work Commission and explained by the Fair Work Ombudsman.

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026

For adult employees not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement, the national minimum wage is:

$26.44 per hour
$1,004.90 per week (based on 38 ordinary hours)
$33.05 per hour for casuals (includes 25% casual loading)

These rates apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. The Fair Work Commission reviews the minimum wage each year in its Annual Wage Review.

Award Rates vs the National Minimum

Most employees are covered by a modern award. Awards set minimum pay rates for specific industries or occupations. From 1 July 2026, award minimum wages increased by 4.75%, but no ongoing classification can fall below the national minimum ($26.44/h or $1,004.90/week). Introductory rates (first six months) cannot be less than $25.74/h or $978.10/week.

If you are covered by an award, that award’s rate is your minimum – it may be higher than the national minimum. Enterprise agreements can also set higher rates. Always check your award or agreement using the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool.

Who Gets Less Than $26.44?

Certain employees have lower minimum rates:

Juniors (under 21) – percentages of the adult rate. For example, a 16-year-old award-free junior gets $12.51/h ($15.64/h casual).
Apprentices and trainees – rates based on the Miscellaneous Award.
Employees with disability – special national minimum wages may apply.
Introductory award rates – limited to the first six months.

These are legal minimums. An employer can always pay more.

Superannuation Is Extra

Superannuation is an employer payment on top of your wage. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. For a full-time worker on the national minimum wage, that’s an extra $3.17 per hour contributed to a super fund. Super is not part of the minimum wage itself.

How Your Pay Compares

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that in May 2026, full-time adult average ordinary-time earnings were $2,083.70 per week. The national minimum wage is about half that figure. The average total earnings for all employees (including part-time) was $1,579.20 per week.

These averages include overtime, bonuses, and higher award rates. The national minimum is a floor, not a benchmark for typical pay.

Practical Check: Is Your Hourly Rate Legal?

Find your hourly rate before tax (gross).
Determine if you are covered by a modern award. If yes, check the award’s minimum for your classification.
If award-free, compare to $26.44/h (adult) or the relevant junior/apprentice rate.
If casual, add 25% to the base rate – your casual rate should be at least $33.05/h (adult award-free).
Remember: super is on top, not included in that hourly figure.

For more detail, see our Which minimum wage applies guide or the Rate tables for junior and apprentice percentages.

State Systems

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 rates may differ.

Final Note

This information is a guide only. It is not a pay determination or legal advice. If you have a dispute about your pay, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman or your union.

For more on how we calculate these figures, see How the figures work.