Minimum Wage Australia 2026–27: $26.44 an Hour Explained
Written by: Salary Calculator Australia Editorial Team · Fact-checked against: ATO 2026–27 tax rates, Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review 2026 decision · Last reviewed: October 2026
The national minimum wage in Australia is $26.44 an hour, or $1,004.90 a week for a full-time 38-hour week. This rate applies from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026, after the Fair Work Commission’s 2026 Annual Wage Review. Casual employees on the minimum wage get at least $33.05 an hour, because of the 25% casual loading.
Below you’ll find what the minimum wage means per week, fortnight, month and year, how much you actually take home after tax, the junior rates, and how award wages fit in.
Minimum wage at a glance (from 1 July 2026)
| Pay period | Minimum wage (before tax) |
|---|---|
| Per hour | $26.44 |
| Per hour (casual, incl. 25% loading) | $33.05 |
| Per week (38 hours) | $1,004.90 |
| Per fortnight | $2,009.80 |
| Per month (average) | $4,354.57 |
| Per year | $52,254.80 |
The weekly rate is the official figure. The monthly figure is the yearly amount divided by 12.
How much did the minimum wage go up?
The national minimum wage rose from $948.00 to $1,004.90 a week, an increase of $56.90 a week (about 6%). The hourly rate went from $24.95 to $26.44.
The rise was bigger than the 4.75% increase for most award wages because the Commission started phasing out the lowest award level (C13). The minimum rate for ongoing employment is moving up towards the C12 level over three years. New workers in their first six months can be paid a slightly lower entry rate of at least $25.74 an hour ($978.10 a week).
Minimum wage after tax: what you take home
Here is what a full-time adult worker on the minimum wage keeps in 2026–27 (resident, claiming the tax-free threshold, no HELP debt):
| Item | Per year | Per week |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $52,254.80 | $1,004.90 |
| Income tax (after low income tax offset) | $5,980 | $115 |
| Medicare levy (2%) | $1,045 | $20 |
| Take-home pay | $45,229 | $870 |
| Super paid on top (12%) | $6,271 | $121 |
So a full-time minimum wage worker takes home about $870 a week, or about $1,740 a fortnight. Your employer also pays 12% super into your fund on top of your wage, so it does not come out of your pay. Your exact payslip can differ slightly because employers use the ATO’s weekly or fortnightly tax tables. To see your own figure, use the weekly pay after tax calculator.
Part-time minimum wage examples
Part-time workers get the same hourly rate, paid for the hours they work:
| Hours per week | Weekly pay (before tax) | Yearly pay (before tax) |
|---|---|---|
| 15 hours | $396.60 | $20,623 |
| 20 hours | $528.80 | $27,498 |
| 30 hours | $793.20 | $41,246 |
| 38 hours (full-time) | $1,004.90 | $52,255 |
If you earn under $18,200 in a year, you pay no income tax, as long as you claim the tax-free threshold with one employer. Our guide to the tax-free threshold explains when to claim it. If you have two part-time jobs, read about tax on a second job so you don’t end up with a tax bill.
Casual minimum wage
Casual employees don’t get paid leave, so they receive a 25% casual loading on top of the base rate. On the national minimum wage that is:
- $33.05 an hour for an adult casual
- $1,255.90 for a full 38-hour week of casual work
Many awards also pay higher rates for weekends, public holidays and late nights, so your actual casual rate may be higher.
Junior minimum wage rates
Workers under 21 who are not covered by an award or agreement can be paid a percentage of the adult minimum wage:
| Age | % of adult rate | Hourly rate | Weekly rate (38 hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 16 | 36.8% | $9.73 | $369.80 |
| 16 | 47.3% | $12.51 | $475.32 |
| 17 | 57.8% | $15.28 | $580.83 |
| 18 | 68.3% | $18.06 | $686.35 |
| 19 | 82.5% | $21.81 | $829.04 |
| 20 | 97.7% | $25.83 | $981.79 |
| 21 and over | 100% | $26.44 | $1,004.90 |
Most young people work under an award, such as retail or hospitality, which sets its own junior percentages. Always check your award first.
Minimum wage vs award wages
The national minimum wage is the floor for adult workers who are not covered by an award or enterprise agreement. Most Australians are covered by one of more than 120 modern awards, which set higher minimum rates based on the job and skill level. Award rates rose by 4.75% from 1 July 2026.
If you’re covered by an award, your employer must pay at least the award rate, which is usually above $26.44 an hour. Your payslip should name your award and classification. Here’s how to check your payslip line by line.
What the minimum wage is as a yearly salary
At $52,254.80 a year, the minimum wage is well below the typical Australian full-time salary. See how it compares with the average salary in Australia. If you’re offered a job as a yearly salary and want to know the hourly rate, use our salary to hourly calculator to check it’s at least the minimum.
What to do if you’re paid less than the minimum wage
1. Check your payslip for your hourly rate, hours and award.
2. Work out what you should be paid using the rates above or your award.
3. Talk to your employer or payroll first. Many underpayments are mistakes.
4. Contact the Fair Work Ombudsman if it isn’t fixed. It’s free, and you can make an anonymous tip.
Underpayment can include missing penalty rates, unpaid overtime and unpaid super, not just a low hourly rate.
Common questions
What is the minimum wage in Australia in 2026?
From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 an hour, or $1,004.90 for a 38-hour week. Casual workers get at least $33.05 an hour with the 25% loading.
How much is the minimum wage per year in Australia?
A full-time worker on the national minimum wage earns $52,254.80 a year before tax ($1,004.90 a week × 52 weeks).
How much is the minimum wage after tax?
A full-time adult on the minimum wage takes home about $870 a week, or about $45,229 a year, after income tax and the Medicare levy in 2026–27.
When did the new minimum wage start?
The new rates apply from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026.
How much did the minimum wage increase in 2026?
It rose from $948.00 to $1,004.90 a week, an increase of $56.90 (about 6%). Most award wages rose by 4.75%.
What is the casual minimum wage in Australia?
$33.05 an hour, which is the $26.44 base rate plus a 25% casual loading.
What is the minimum wage for a 16 year old in Australia?
Under the national minimum wage order, a 16-year-old can be paid 47.3% of the adult rate, about $12.51 an hour. Most young workers are covered by an award with its own junior rates.
Is super included in the minimum wage?
No. Your employer must pay 12% super on top of your wage, which is about $6,271 a year for a full-time minimum wage worker.
