Can I use a UK salary calculator to work out my Australian pay?

No. A UK salary calculator uses British tax rates, National Insurance, and the UK National Living Wage. Australian pay is governed by the Fair Work Act, modern awards, and the National Minimum Wage set by the Fair Work Commission. Use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool or check your award instead.

Do junior employees get the same minimum wage as adults?

No. Award‑free juniors (under 21) receive a percentage of the adult national minimum wage. For example, a 16‑year‑old gets 47.3% ($12.51 per hour) and a 20‑year‑old gets 97.7% ($25.84 per hour). Awards may have their own junior rates. Apprentices and trainees follow the Miscellaneous Award rates.

Is superannuation included in the minimum wage?

No. The minimum wage is the gross pay before tax. Superannuation is paid on top at 12% of ordinary time earnings (from 1 July 2026). For a full‑time adult on the national minimum, that’s an extra $120.59 per week paid into their super fund.

UK Salary Calculator vs Australian Pay Floors: Which Minimum Wage Applies?

From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage for award‑free adults is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week), with casual employees receiving a 25% loading ($33.05 per hour).

UK salary calculator? Stick to Australian pay floors

If you have landed on this page after searching for a “uk salary calculator”, you are probably trying to work out your take‑home pay. A UK calculator will give you the wrong answer for Australia because the two countries have different tax systems, different minimum wages, and different rules for superannuation. This guide explains which Australian pay floor applies to you and how to compare it with what you actually earn.

The legal minimum: the National Minimum Wage

The Fair Work Commission reviews the national minimum wage each year. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the rate for an adult employee not covered by an award or enterprise agreement is:

$26.44 per hour
$1,004.90 per week (based on 38 ordinary hours)

Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual rate $33.05 per hour or $1,255.90 per week (38 hours).

Superannuation is an employer payment on top. From 1 July 2026 the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. For a full‑time adult on the national minimum, that adds about $120.59 per week to their super account.

Award rates are usually higher

Most Australian 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 the lowest ongoing classification in any award cannot fall below the national minimum ($26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week). Introductory rates (limited to the first six months) must be at least $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week.

If you are covered by an award, your minimum wage is the rate in that award – not the national minimum. Use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool to find your award and classification. See our Which minimum wage applies guide for more detail.

Juniors, apprentices, and supported wages

The national minimum wage is for adults (21 and over). Award‑free junior employees receive a percentage based on age:

Under 16: 36.8% – $9.73 per hour ($12.16 casual)
16: 47.3% – $12.51 per hour ($15.64 casual)
17: 57.8% – $15.29 per hour ($19.11 casual)
18: 68.3% – $18.06 per hour ($22.58 casual)
19: 82.5% – $21.82 per hour ($27.28 casual)
20: 97.7% – $25.84 per hour ($32.30 casual)

Apprentices and trainees who are award‑free follow the Miscellaneous Award rates, not the junior percentages. Employees with a disability that affects productivity may receive a proportion of the national minimum under a supported wage assessment.

How your pay compares with 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 more than double the national minimum wage. The average total earnings for all employees (including part‑time and casual) was $1,579.20 per week. These are survey averages, not legal minimums. Your pay may be higher or lower depending on your industry, experience, and any enterprise agreement.

Enterprise agreements and individual contracts

An enterprise agreement can set pay rates that are higher than the award or national minimum, but the base rate must not be less than the relevant award rate. Individual contracts also cannot undercut the minimum wage. If you are on a salary, check that it covers all ordinary hours and any penalty rates you are entitled to.

Tax and take‑home pay

For the 2026‑27 tax year, resident employees with the full tax‑free threshold pay marginal rates plus a 2% Medicare levy once annualised ordinary gross income exceeds $30,000. The low‑income tax offset and other offsets are not included in this simple model. A UK salary calculator will not apply these Australian rules. For a rough estimate, use the ATO’s tax withheld calculator or see our Rate tables for weekly and hourly figures after tax.

Summary

The national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week) for award‑free adults.
Most workers are covered by an award with higher rates.
Juniors, apprentices, and supported employees have lower minimums.
Super is paid on top at 12%.
A UK salary calculator is not suitable for Australian pay calculations.

For more detail on how the figures are derived, read How the figures work. If you need to check your award, the Fair Work Ombudsman website has free tools and pay guides.