What is the national minimum wage in Australia?

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 applies to employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual rate $33.05 per hour. These rates are set by the Fair Work Commission and enforced by the Fair Work Ombudsman.

How does superannuation affect my pay when comparing to the 'rich' threshold?

Superannuation is an employer payment on top of your salary. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. When comparing salaries to any 'rich' threshold, remember that your total remuneration includes super. For example, a $100,000 salary plus 12% super means your employer pays $112,000 in total. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports average full-time adult ordinary-time earnings at $2,083.70 per week (May 2026), which is about $108,352 per year before super.

What Salary You Need to Be Rich in Australia? Start with the Legal Minimum

Q: Can I be paid less than the national minimum wage?

Yes, in certain circumstances. Junior employees (under 21), apprentices, trainees, and employees with a disability may be paid less under special national minimum wages. Some awards also have introductory rates for the first six months, which cannot fall below $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week from 1 July 2026. However, most employees are covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement that sets a higher minimum.

The national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week from 1 July 2026, but most employees are covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement that may set higher rates.

What does 'rich' mean in Australia?

The phrase "salary you need to be rich in Australia" has no single legal definition. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes income distributions, but there is no official 'rich' threshold. Some commentators use the top 10% of earners, while others refer to the high income threshold set by the Fair Work Commission, which from 1 July 2026 is $190,100 per year. That threshold determines when certain award protections cease, not a definition of wealth. For most people, understanding the legal pay floor is the first step to evaluating any salary.

The legal minimum wage floor

The national minimum wage is the baseline for employees not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement. From 1 July 2026, the Fair Work Commission set it at $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. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains that this is the minimum before tax, and superannuation is paid on top.

However, not every worker receives $26.44 per hour. Junior employees (under 21) have percentage-based rates: for example, a 16-year-old gets 47.3% of the adult rate ($12.51 per hour casual $15.64). Apprentices and trainees follow the Miscellaneous Award rates. Employees with a disability may have a supported wage. Some awards also have introductory rates for the first six months, which from 1 July 2026 cannot fall below $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week.

Award rates and enterprise agreements

Most employees are covered by a modern award that sets minimum pay rates higher than the national minimum. From 1 July 2026, award minimum wages increased by 4.75%, but the lowest ongoing classification cannot be less than the national minimum wage. If you are covered by an enterprise agreement, the base pay rate cannot be less than the relevant award rate. Always check your award or agreement using the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool. For more on which minimum applies, see Which minimum wage applies.

Average earnings and the 'rich' threshold

The ABS May 2026 data shows full-time adult ordinary-time earnings average $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year. All employees (including part-time and casual) average $1,579.20 per week. These are before tax and before super. To be in the top 10% of earners, you would need significantly more—but the ABS does not publish a single 'rich' figure. The high income threshold of $190,100 is a legal marker for unfair dismissal eligibility, not a wealth benchmark.

Negotiated salaries

If you are negotiating a salary, remember that your total package includes superannuation (12% from 1 July 2026). A $120,000 salary plus $14,400 super means your employer pays $134,400. The legal minimum is just the starting point; many professional roles pay well above award rates. For rate tables covering common awards, see Rate tables.

Superannuation is extra

Super is an employer payment on top of your ordinary time earnings. It is not part of your take-home pay but is your money for retirement. When comparing salaries to any 'rich' threshold, include super in your total remuneration. The Fair Work Ombudsman notes that from 1 July 2026, employers must pay super at the same time as wages (payday super).

Summary

There is no official salary you need to be rich in Australia. The legal minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, but most workers earn more under awards or agreements. Use the ABS average earnings as a reference point, and remember that super adds 12% on top. For personalised guidance, consult the Fair Work Ombudsman or a qualified advisor.

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