Minimum Wage Australia 2021
National minimum wage rates for 2021 — hourly, weekly, fortnightly and annual.
2021 Minimum Wage
| Period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Hourly | $20.33 |
| Weekly (38 hours) | $772.54 |
| Fortnightly | $1,545.08 |
| Annual (before tax) | $40,172.08 |
Year-on-Year Change
$19.84/hr
$20.33/hr
+$0.49/hr
+2.5%
Historical Minimum Wage — 2010 to 2021
| Year | Hourly | Weekly | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | $15.00 | $570.00 | — |
| 2011 | $15.51 | $589.38 | +$0.51 |
| 2012 | $15.96 | $606.48 | +$0.45 |
| 2013 | $16.37 | $622.06 | +$0.41 |
| 2014 | $16.87 | $641.06 | +$0.50 |
| 2015 | $17.29 | $657.02 | +$0.42 |
| 2016 | $17.70 | $672.60 | +$0.41 |
| 2017 | $18.29 | $695.02 | +$0.59 |
| 2018 | $18.93 | $719.34 | +$0.64 |
| 2019 | $19.49 | $740.62 | +$0.56 |
| 2020 | $19.84 | $753.92 | +$0.35 |
| 2021(this page) | $20.33 | $772.54 | +$0.49 |
Inflation Comparison — Did Wages Keep Up?
In 2021, the minimum wage increased by 2.5% while CPI inflation was approximately 3.5%.
Wages fell behind inflation by 1 percentage points, meaning minimum wage workers lost real purchasing power.
Purchasing Power
The 2021 minimum wage of $20.33/hr would need to be $25.13/hr today to have the same purchasing power (adjusted for ~24% cumulative inflation).
The current rate is $26.44/hr — wages have increased 30% nominally since 2021. In real terms, minimum wage workers are slightly better off.
Browse by Year
Frequently Asked Questions
What was minimum wage in 2021?
The national minimum wage in 2021 was $20.33 per hour, or $772.54 per week for a 38-hour work week. This equates to $40,172.08 per year before tax.
How much has minimum wage increased since 2021?
The minimum wage has increased from $20.33/hr in 2021 to $26.44/hr in 2026 — an increase of $6.11/hr (30%). This reflects the cumulative effect of annual Fair Work Commission wage reviews.
When does minimum wage go up?
The Fair Work Commission conducts an Annual Wage Review each year, with the new rate typically taking effect from 1 July. The review considers economic conditions, cost of living, and the needs of the low-paid. The decision is usually announced in June.
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