Does the national minimum wage apply to all workers in Western Australia?

No. Most private-sector employees in WA are in the national system and covered by the national minimum wage set by the Fair Work Commission. However, some state public sector and local government employees, as well as some sole traders and partnerships, are in the WA state system and covered by state awards. The WA state minimum wage is set by the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission, not the Fair Work Commission. This site does not have the current WA state minimum figure.

What is the minimum wage for juniors in Western Australia under the national system?

For award-free juniors in the national system, the Fair Work Ombudsman provides percentages of the adult national minimum. From 1 July 2026, a 16-year-old receives $12.51 per hour (47.3%), a 17-year-old $15.29 (57.8%), an 18-year-old $18.06 (68.3%), a 19-year-old $21.82 (82.5%), and a 20-year-old $25.84 (97.7%). Casual juniors get a 25% loading on top. These rates apply only if no modern award or enterprise agreement covers the employee.

How does superannuation affect the minimum wage in WA?

Superannuation is an employer payment on top of the minimum wage. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. For an adult on the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour, the employer must pay an additional $3.17 per hour into the employee's super fund. This is not part of the hourly wage but is a compulsory extra cost.

Minimum Wage WA: What Western Australian Workers Need to Know in 2026–27

The national minimum wage for award-free adults is $26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026, but Western Australia has its own state system for some employees; the precise WA state minimum is not in this reference.

Minimum Wage WA: National Floor and State System

When you search for "minimum wage wa", you are likely asking about the legal pay floor in Western Australia. The answer depends on which industrial system covers your job. Most employees in WA are in the national system, meaning the national minimum wage set by the Fair Work Commission applies. From 1 July 2026, that rate is $26.44 per hour for an adult award-free employee, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual minimum $33.05 per hour.

However, Western Australia has its own state industrial system for some workers. State public sector employees, local government workers, and certain sole traders or partnerships may be covered by state awards. The Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission sets its own minimum wage for those workers. This site does not have the current WA state minimum figure; you would need to check the WAIRC website or contact the Wageline service for that rate.

Separating the Legal Minimum from Other Pay Concepts

It is important to distinguish the legal minimum from other figures:

Legal minimum: The national minimum wage is the absolute floor for national-system employees. A modern award or enterprise agreement can require a higher rate, but never lower.
Award rates: Many industries have modern awards that set higher minimum pay rates for specific jobs. For example, the Hospitality Industry General Award may have a higher base rate than the national minimum.
Survey averages: The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported in May 2026 that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week. That is a market average, not a legal floor.
Negotiated salaries: Some employees bargain enterprise agreements that pay above the minimum. These are private arrangements, not the legal floor.

Superannuation: An Employer Payment on Top

Whenever pay is discussed, remember that superannuation is an employer payment on top of the wage. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. For an adult on the national minimum wage, the employer must contribute an extra $3.17 per hour into the employee's super fund. This is not deducted from the wage; it is an additional cost to the employer.

Who Does Not Get the Full Adult Rate?

Not every worker receives $26.44 per hour. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains that junior employees, apprentices, trainees, and those on introductory award rates may be paid less. For award-free juniors, the percentages are:

Under 16: 36.8% = $9.73 per hour
16: 47.3% = $12.51 per hour
17: 57.8% = $15.29 per hour
18: 68.3% = $18.06 per hour
19: 82.5% = $21.82 per hour
20: 97.7% = $25.84 per hour
21 and over: 100% = $26.44 per hour

Casual juniors get the 25% loading on top of these percentages. Apprentice and trainee rates for award-free employees follow the Miscellaneous Award, not the junior percentages.

The Weekly Packet: Tax and Medicare

For a full-time adult on the national minimum wage, the gross weekly pay is $1,004.90. After tax and Medicare (estimated at 2% once annualised ordinary gross reaches $30,000 per year), the take-home pay is lower. The low-income tax offset and other adjustments are not included in this model. This is not a pay determination or tax advice.

How to Find Your Correct Minimum

To know which pay floor applies to you:

Check if you are in the national system (most private-sector employees are).
See if a modern award covers your job. If yes, the award rate is your minimum.
If no award, the national minimum wage applies, unless you are a junior, apprentice, or trainee.
If you are in the WA state system, contact Wageline or the WA Industrial Relations Commission.

For more guidance, see Which minimum wage applies and Rate tables.

Summary

The minimum wage in Western Australia is primarily the national minimum of $26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026, but the state system has its own floor not covered here. Always check if an award or agreement sets a higher rate. Super is paid on top. This site provides orientation only, not legal advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

See the FAQs above for common queries about WA's minimum wage.

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