What is the current 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 full-time adult employee. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual rate $33.05 per hour. These rates apply to award-free and agreement-free national system employees.

Do all workers receive the national minimum wage?

No. Juniors, apprentices, trainees, and employees on introductory award rates or supported wages can be paid less. Modern awards and enterprise agreements often set higher minimum rates. The national minimum is the legal floor, but many workers are entitled to more under their award or agreement.

How does the national minimum wage compare to average earnings?

The national minimum wage is significantly lower than average earnings. According to the ABS for May 2026, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week, and all employees averaged $1,579.20 per week. The minimum wage is a safety net, not a reflection of typical pay.

What is Australia's minimum wage? A clear guide to the pay floor

Australia's national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a full-time adult employee, with higher rates under awards or agreements.

What is Australia's minimum wage? Understanding the legal floor

If you have asked yourself 'what is Australia's minimum wage', the answer depends on your employment situation. The national minimum wage is the legal pay floor set by the Fair Work Commission. From 1 July 2026, the adult rate is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a full-time employee working 38 ordinary hours. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, bringing their minimum to $33.05 per hour.

The national minimum wage explained

The Fair Work Commission reviews and sets the national minimum wage each year. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces the rules. This rate applies to employees who are not covered by a modern award or an enterprise agreement – known as award-free and agreement-free national system employees. Most private-sector workers in Australia are in the national system, but some state public sector and local government employees, and some Western Australian sole traders and partnerships, are covered by state awards instead.

Employers must also pay superannuation guarantee on top of the minimum wage. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. So the total cost to an employer for an adult employee on the national minimum wage is at least $29.61 per hour (including super), though super is paid separately into the employee's super fund.

How it differs from award rates and average earnings

Many people confuse the national minimum wage with award rates or average earnings. Here is how they differ:

Award rates: Modern awards set minimum wages for specific industries and occupations. The award backstop for ongoing employees is the same as the national minimum ($26.44/h), but most award classifications are higher. For example, introductory rates under awards are capped at $25.74 per hour for the first six months. If you are covered by an award, your minimum pay is the award rate, which is often above the national minimum.
Survey average earnings: The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported in May 2026 that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week, and all employees (including part-time and casual) averaged $1,579.20 per week. The national minimum is well below these averages because it is a safety net, not a typical wage.
Negotiated salary: Individual contracts can set a salary above the minimum, but they cannot undercut the national minimum or any applicable award or agreement.

Who might receive less than the adult minimum

The adult national minimum does not apply to everyone. Lower rates are permitted for:

Juniors: Award-free employees under 21 receive a percentage of the adult rate. For example, a 16-year-old gets 47.3% ($12.51/h) and a 20-year-old gets 97.7% ($25.84/h). Casual juniors also get the 25% loading.
Apprentices and trainees: Award-free apprentices and trainees follow the Miscellaneous Award, not the junior percentages.
Introductory rates: New employees under an award can be paid $25.74/h for the first six months.
Supported wages: Employees with a disability may have a supported wage assessment.

Superannuation is on top

When discussing pay, remember that superannuation is an additional employer cost. The hourly or weekly rates quoted for the national minimum wage do not include super. Your employer must pay 12% of your ordinary time earnings into a super fund. This is not deducted from your pay – it is paid on top.

Which pay floor applies to you?

To know which minimum applies, check if you are covered by a modern award or an enterprise agreement. Most employees are covered by an award, which sets a higher minimum. If you are award-free and agreement-free, the national minimum wage is your floor. For more guidance, see Which minimum wage applies and Rate tables on this site.

Common misconceptions

A frequent mix-up is assuming the national minimum wage is what everyone earns. In reality, it is the lowest legal pay – most workers earn more under awards, agreements, or individual contracts. Another confusion is thinking the rate includes super; it does not. Finally, some believe the Fair Work Ombudsman sets the rate, but that is the role of the Fair Work Commission. The Ombudsman enforces compliance.

Understanding the difference between the legal floor, award rates, and average earnings helps you know your entitlements and avoid being underpaid.

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