Minimum Wage Australia 2025-26: Current Rates and Who Gets Them
The national minimum wage in Australia is $24.10 per hour from July 2025. Learn who it applies to, junior rates, casual loading, and when rates change.
Current national minimum wage rate
The national minimum wage in Australia is $24.10 per hour, or $915.90 per 38-hour week, effective from 1 July 2025. This rate was set by the Fair Work Commission's Annual Wage Review 2024-25, which delivered a 3.75% increase from the previous rate of $23.23 per hour. The national minimum wage applies to employees who are not covered by a Modern Award or enterprise agreement — known as award-free or agreement-free employees. In practice, this is a relatively small group because the vast majority of Australian employees are covered by one of the 120+ Modern Awards. If you are covered by an award, your minimum rate is set by that award and is typically higher than the national minimum wage.
Who does it apply to?
The national minimum wage is the absolute floor for all employees in Australia. It directly sets the minimum rate for award-free and agreement-free employees. For award-covered employees, their Modern Award rates serve as the relevant minimum, and these are adjusted each year as a result of the same FWC Annual Wage Review. No employee can legally be paid less than the national minimum wage. It applies to all full-time, part-time, and casual employees (though casuals also receive the 25% casual loading on top). It applies regardless of the size of the employer, the industry, or whether the business is for-profit or not-for-profit. Foreign workers on visas have exactly the same minimum wage rights as Australian citizens and permanent residents.
Junior employee rates
Employees under the age of 21 who are not undertaking an apprenticeship may be paid a percentage of the adult national minimum wage based on their age. These junior rates are: under 16 = 36.8% ($8.87/hr), 16 years = 47.3% ($11.40/hr), 17 years = 57.8% ($13.93/hr), 18 years = 68.3% ($16.46/hr), 19 years = 82.5% ($19.88/hr), and 20 years = 97.7% ($23.55/hr). These percentages are set by the National Minimum Wage Order. Not all awards use the same percentages for juniors — some awards have their own junior rate scales that may be more generous. Junior rates are controversial and have been subject to ongoing debate, but they remain part of Australian workplace law.
Apprentice and trainee rates
Apprentices and trainees have their own minimum wage rates that are separate from both the national minimum wage and standard award rates. Apprentice rates are set either by the relevant Modern Award or, for award-free apprentices, by the National Minimum Wage Order. Rates vary depending on the year of the apprenticeship and the specific trade. For example, under many awards, a first-year adult apprentice earns around 55-80% of the relevant trade qualification rate. Trainee rates depend on the level of the traineeship (Certificate I, II, III) and whether the trainee is school-based. National training wage rates are set out in Schedule E of the Miscellaneous Award 2020 and are updated annually with the wage review.
Casual loading on minimum wage
Casual employees are entitled to a 25% casual loading on top of their base hourly rate under most Modern Awards. For an award-free casual employee, the minimum rate is the national minimum wage of $24.10 plus the 25% loading, totalling $30.13 per hour. The casual loading compensates for the lack of paid annual leave, personal/carer's leave, notice of termination, and redundancy pay. If you are a casual employee and your pay slip shows an hourly rate without specifying a loading, check that the total rate is at least 25% above the relevant base rate. Some awards specify a different casual loading percentage, though 25% is the most common. The loading is calculated on the base rate before any penalty rates are applied.
When do minimum wage rates change?
The national minimum wage and all Modern Award minimum rates are reviewed annually by the Fair Work Commission through its Annual Wage Review. The FWC typically hands down its decision in June each year, and the new rates take effect from the first full pay period on or after 1 July. The review considers submissions from employers, unions, governments, and other interested parties, along with economic data including inflation, productivity, business conditions, and living standards. Recent increases have been: 5.75% in July 2023, 3.75% in July 2024, and 3.75% in July 2025. The July 2026 rate will be determined by the FWC's Annual Wage Review 2025-26, with the decision expected in June 2026.
What to do if you are being underpaid
If you believe you are being paid less than the minimum wage or the correct award rate, take these steps. First, identify your correct classification: use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Award Finder or our Award Finder tool to determine which award covers your role and at what classification level. Second, compare your actual hourly rate against the correct minimum. Third, keep records of your hours worked and pay received. Fourth, raise the issue with your employer — many underpayments are genuine mistakes, especially in small businesses. If your employer does not correct the issue, you can contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94 for free advice and assistance. You can recover up to 6 years of underpayments through the FWO or the courts.
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General information and estimates only — not legal, financial, or tax advice. Always verify with the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified professional.
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