Does Victoria have its own minimum wage?

No, Victoria does not have a separate state minimum wage. Most private-sector employees in Victoria are covered by the national system, which uses the national minimum wage set by the Fair Work Commission. Some state public sector and local government employees may be covered by state awards, but those awards typically set rates at or above the national minimum.

How much is the minimum wage after tax in Victoria?

For a full-time adult worker on the national minimum wage ($26.44 per hour, 38 hours per week), the annual salary is approximately $52,270. After tax and the Medicare levy (estimated at 2% for incomes above $30,000), the take-home pay is roughly $42,000 to $43,000 per year, depending on individual circumstances. This is a rough estimate and does not include the low-income tax offset, HELP repayments, or salary sacrifice.

Minimum Wage VIC: What Is the Victorian Minimum Wage in 2026?

Q: What is the minimum wage in Victoria for 2026?

From 1 July 2026, the adult national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual rate $33.05 per hour. These rates apply to most employees in Victoria under the national workplace relations system.

The minimum wage in Victoria is the national minimum wage: $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for adults from 1 July 2026.

Minimum Wage VIC: The Legal Floor in Victoria

When you search for "minimum wage vic", you are asking about the legal minimum pay that applies in Victoria. Victoria does not have its own state minimum wage. Instead, most employees in Victoria are covered by the national workplace relations system, which means the national minimum wage set by the Fair Work Commission applies. From 1 July 2026, the adult national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour ordinary week. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual rate $33.05 per hour. The superannuation guarantee is an additional 12% on top of ordinary time earnings, paid by the employer.

Who Is Covered by the National Minimum Wage in Victoria?

The national system covers most private-sector employees in Victoria. If you are award-free and agreement-free, the national minimum wage is your legal floor. Some state public sector employees, local government workers, and a small number of Western Australian sole traders and partnerships may be under state awards, but in Victoria the vast majority are in the national system. A modern award or enterprise agreement can set a higher rate than the national minimum, so always check your award or agreement first.

How the Victorian Minimum Wage Compares to Other Benchmarks

Award Rates

Modern awards contain minimum wages for specific industries and occupations. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, modern award minimum wages rise by 4.75%. However, the lowest ongoing classification in any award cannot fall below the national minimum of $26.44 per hour. Introductory rates (for the first six months) are capped at $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week. If you are covered by an award, your minimum wage may be higher than the national minimum.

Survey Averages (ABS)

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports average earnings that are much higher than the minimum wage. In May 2026, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week – roughly double the national minimum. All employees (including part-time and casual) averaged $1,579.20 per week. These figures show that the minimum wage is a floor, not a typical wage.

Negotiated Salaries

Enterprise agreements and individual contracts can set wages above the minimum. The national minimum wage is the lowest amount you can legally be paid (unless you are a junior, apprentice, trainee, or on a supported wage). Many Victorians earn well above the minimum through collective bargaining or market rates.

Tax and Super on the Minimum Wage Packet

For a full-time adult worker on the national minimum wage ($26.44 per hour, 38 hours per week), the annual salary is approximately $52,270 (rounded). Using the 2026-27 tax rates with the full tax-free threshold and an estimated 2% Medicare levy (once annualised ordinary gross exceeds $30,000), the approximate tax and Medicare would be around $9,000 to $10,000, leaving a take-home pay of about $42,000 to $43,000 per year. This is a rough model that excludes the low-income tax offset, HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, and the Medicare levy surcharge. Your actual tax may differ. The superannuation guarantee of 12% is paid by the employer on top of your ordinary time earnings, so the total employment cost is higher than your gross wage.

Special Rates: Juniors, Apprentices, and Supported Wages

Not every worker receives the full adult rate. Award-free junior employees in Victoria are paid a percentage of the adult national minimum wage based on age:

Under 16: 36.8% – $9.73 per hour, casual $12.16
16 years: 47.3% – $12.51 per hour, casual $15.64
17 years: 57.8% – $15.29 per hour, casual $19.11
18 years: 68.3% – $18.06 per hour, casual $22.58
19 years: 82.5% – $21.82 per hour, casual $27.28
20 years: 97.7% – $25.84 per hour, casual $32.30
21 and over: 100% – $26.44 per hour, casual $33.05

Apprentice and trainee rates for award-free employees follow the Miscellaneous Award, not the junior percentages. Supported wage employees may receive a pro-rata rate based on their productivity. Always check the applicable award or agreement, as it may set different rates.

Where to Find More Information

For a full breakdown of rates and how they apply, see our Which minimum wage applies guide and the Rate tables page. These resources explain how to determine your correct pay floor and compare it with other benchmarks.

Important Notes

This guide is for orientation only. It is not a pay determination, tax advice, or legal advice. The adult weekly national minimum is the published $1,004.90 figure. Multiplying $26.44 by 38 lands 18 cents lower because of rounding in the order. Casual weekly figures on this site are the published casual hourly rate times 38 ordinary hours, with no penalty rates. Always consult the Fair Work Ombudsman for enforcement and the Fair Work Commission for the official rate setting.

For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.