What is the minimum wage in Australia right now?

The national minimum wage in Australia is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week (38-hour week) before tax, effective from 1 July 2026. This rate applies to employees not covered by an award or enterprise agreement. The Fair Work Commission reviews the national minimum wage annually.

What is the minimum wage for casual workers in Australia?

Casual employees receive the national minimum wage plus a 25% casual loading to compensate for the lack of paid leave and other entitlements. This brings the casual minimum wage to $33.05 per hour. If an employee is covered by an award, the award's casual loading rate applies instead.

What is the minimum wage for under 18s in Australia?

Junior employees under 21 receive a percentage of the adult minimum wage based on their age. For example, under the national minimum wage, an employee under 16 receives 36.8%, at 16 it's 47.3%, at 17 it's 57.8%, at 18 it's 68.3%, at 19 it's 82.5%, and at 20 it's 97.7% of the full adult rate.

When does the minimum wage go up in Australia?

The national minimum wage is reviewed annually by the Fair Work Commission as part of its Annual Wage Review. Any increase typically takes effect from the first full pay period on or after 1 July each year. The FWC considers economic conditions, cost of living, and other factors in its decision.

Minimum Wage Australia 2026

Check the current national minimum wage based on your age and employment type, including junior rates and casual loading.

Last verified: 2 August 2026

The Australian national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per 38-hour week, or $52,254.80 a year) from 1 July 2026, a 6% rise from $24.95 under the Annual Wage Review 2026 decision. Casuals add 25% loading ($33.05/hr). Junior workers aged 16-20 are paid a percentage of the adult rate, and most employees are covered by an award whose minimum is higher again.

Australian national minimum wage rising from $21.38 in 2022 to $26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026, a 6% increase set by the Fair Work Commission.

Minimum wage by age

Award-free junior rates are a percentage of the adult $26.44: under 16 = 36.8%, 16 = 47.3%, 17 = 57.8%, 18 = 68.3%, 19 = 82.5%, 20 = 97.7%, and the full rate from 21. Most young workers are covered by an award with its own junior scale, so check the award before the national figure.

16-year-old minimum wage 17-year-old minimum wage 18-year-old minimum wage 19-year-old minimum wage 20-year-old minimum wage 21 and over (adult rate)

National minimum wage vs your award

The $26.44 national minimum wage only applies to award-free and agreement-free employees. Most Australian workers are covered by a modern award, and every award minimum sits above the national rate — retail, hospitality, fast food, clerical and care work all have their own classification tables, penalty rates and casual loadings. Look up your award pay rate to see the figure that actually applies to you.

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General information and estimates only — not legal, financial or tax advice. Always check your specific award, agreement or contract, or a qualified professional, before you rely on the result.

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Minimum Wage Australia 2026

Minimum wage by age

National minimum wage vs your award

Is the figure right for you?

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