What is the difference between the national minimum wage and an award rate?

The national minimum wage is the legal minimum for employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. An award rate is the minimum pay set by a modern award for a specific industry or occupation, and it is usually higher than the national minimum. Most employees are covered by an award, so their minimum pay comes from the award, not the national minimum wage.

Can my pay be below $26.44 an hour if I am a junior or apprentice?

Yes. The $26.44 per hour rate applies to adult employees (21 and over) who are not covered by an award or agreement. Junior employees (under 21) have special national minimum wages that are a percentage of the adult rate. For example, a 16-year-old award-free junior is entitled to $12.51 per hour (47.3% of the adult rate). Apprentices and trainees also have their own rates under the Miscellaneous Award. Always check the specific rules for your situation.

Does the salary calc include superannuation?

No. The salary calc on this site shows gross pay before tax. Superannuation is an additional payment your employer must make on top of your ordinary time earnings. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12%, and employers must pay it at the same time as your wages (payday super). The national minimum wage and award rates do not include super.

Using a salary calc to find your correct pay floor in Australia

As of 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for award-free adult employees.

Using a salary calc to find your correct pay floor

A salary calc is a handy tool for comparing your pay against the legal minimum. But which minimum applies to you? Australia’s pay system has several layers: the national minimum wage, modern award rates, enterprise agreement rates, and individual negotiated salaries. This guide explains how to use a salary calc correctly and avoid common mix-ups.

The legal minimum wage vs other benchmarks

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage each year. From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38‑hour week. This is the floor for adult employees who are not covered by an award or registered agreement. However, most employees are covered by a modern award, which sets higher minimum rates for their industry or occupation. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces these rules.

A salary calc that only uses the national minimum wage will understate your correct pay if you are covered by an award. Always check your award first using the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool.

National minimum wage

For award‑free adult employees, the national minimum wage is your legal minimum. But there are exceptions:

Junior employees (under 21) receive a percentage of the adult rate. For example, a 17‑year‑old gets 57.8% ($15.29 per hour).
Apprentices and trainees have rates set under the Miscellaneous Award, not the junior percentages.
Employees with disability may have a supported wage based on their productivity.

Casual employees get a 25% loading on top of the national minimum wage, making the casual rate $33.05 per hour.

Award rates

Modern awards cover most industries. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, minimum award wages increased by 4.75%. However, the lowest ongoing classification in any award cannot be less than the national minimum wage ($26.44 per hour). Introductory rates (for the first six months) cannot be less than $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week.

If you use a salary calc, make sure it uses your specific award classification. The award rate is your legal minimum, and your employer cannot pay less.

Enterprise agreements

Some workplaces have an enterprise agreement approved by the Fair Work Commission. The base pay rate in an agreement cannot be less than the base rate in the relevant award. So the agreement rate is usually higher. A salary calc that only shows award rates may not reflect your actual minimum if you are covered by an agreement.

Survey averages

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes average earnings. In May 2026, full‑time adult ordinary‑time earnings were $2,083.70 per week, and average total earnings for all employees were $1,579.20 per week. These are not legal minimums – they are averages. Many people earn less than the average, and that is fine as long as they are paid at least the applicable minimum.

A salary calc that compares your pay to the average can be misleading. Focus on the legal floor first.

What a salary calc cannot tell you

A salary calc cannot determine which award or agreement applies to you. It cannot account for penalty rates, overtime, allowances, or superannuation. It also cannot tell you if you are being underpaid – that requires checking your classification against the correct award.

For more detail, see our Which minimum wage applies guide and Rate tables for current figures.

Superannuation is extra

Superannuation is paid on top of your gross wages. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, and employers must pay it on payday. The national minimum wage and award rates do not include super. So if you earn $26.44 per hour, your employer must also contribute $3.17 per hour to your super fund.

Always check that your salary calc separates super from wages. The legal minimum is your pre‑super gross pay.

Summary

Use a salary calc as a starting point, but verify your award or agreement. The national minimum wage is only one floor – most workers have a higher floor under an award. For award‑free employees, the adult rate is $26.44 per hour, but juniors, apprentices, and supported workers may be paid less. Super is additional. For more information, visit our Guides or Topics pages.