Are junior pay rates being abolished in Australia?

For 18-20 year olds on three awards, yes — phased in over three years. On 31 March 2026 the Fair Work Commission decided ([2026] FWCFB 75) that workers aged 18-20 under the General Retail, Fast Food and Pharmacy awards will move to 100% of their classification's adult rate once they have more than 6 months' employment with their current employer. Phasing starts 1 December 2026, with draft steps running to 30 June 2029. Junior rates under other awards, the award-free national minimum wage scale, and all under-18 rates are unchanged.

Do 18 year olds get the full adult rate from 1 December 2026?

No — 1 December 2026 is only the first step. Under the FWC's draft timetable, an 18-year-old with more than 6 months' service moves from 70% to 75% of the adult classification rate on 1 December 2026, then steps up roughly every six months to reach 100% by 30 June 2029. A 19-year-old reaches 100% by 30 June 2028 and a 20-year-old by 30 June 2027. The timetable is provisional until the FWC's transitional hearing (17-21 August 2026) concludes.

Does the 6-month rule reset when I change jobs?

Yes. The adult rate applies only after more than 6 months' employment with your CURRENT employer — the FWC confirmed prior employment with other employers doesn't count. During your first 6 months with any employer, the junior percentages (70% at 18, 80% at 19, 90% at 20) keep applying permanently under the decision.

Will under-18 junior rates also change?

No. The FWC expressly decided not to vary the rates for workers under 18 — 16 and 17 year olds stay on their existing award junior percentages.

Is the pay rise based on the minimum wage of $26.44?

No — the percentages apply to the adult rate for your award classification, which is higher than the National Minimum Wage. For example, Retail Level 1's adult ordinary rate is $27.81 per hour from 1 July 2026, and casuals add the 25% loading on top.

Junior Rates Pay Rise Calculator

The FWC is phasing out junior rates for 18-20 year olds on the Retail, Fast Food and Pharmacy awards — but only after 6 months with your employer, and in steps from 1 December 2026 to mid-2029, not all at once. See your real step-by-step rise, based on your award classification's adult rate.

Last verified: 4 August 2026

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Junior Rates Pay Rise Calculator

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