Minimum Wage Australia 2021
Complete breakdown of the 2021 Australian national minimum wage — hourly, weekly, and annual rates plus after-tax take-home pay.
Last verified: 1 July 2025Quick Answer
The Australian national minimum wage in 2021 was $20.33/hour, $772.54/week, or $40,172.08/year (before tax, based on a 38-hour work week).
2021 Minimum Wage Rates
Hourly
$20.33
Weekly (38 hrs)
$772.54
Annual
$40,172.08
Year-on-Year Change
$19.84/hr
$20.33/hr
+$0.49/hr (+$968.24/yr)
+2.5%
Inflation Context — 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.
The 2010 rate of $15.00/hr would need to be $18.61/hr in 2021 to have the same purchasing power. The actual rate exceeded this, meaning real wages have grown since 2010.
After-Tax Take-Home Pay on Minimum Wage (2021)
| Item | Annual | Monthly | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $40,172.08 | $3,347.67 | $772.54 |
| Tax + Medicare levy (est.) | -$4,318.97 | -$359.91 | -$83.06 |
| Take-home pay | $35,853.11 | $2,987.76 | $689.48 |
Estimates based on standard tax brackets. Excludes HECS/HELP repayments, tax offsets, and other individual circumstances. Use our Take Home Pay Calculator for a precise calculation.
What Could You Afford on Minimum Wage in 2021?
- •Average petrol rebounded to around $1.50/litre
- •Grocery costs started rising noticeably
- •Average electricity bills were around $1,600/year
- •A coffee cost about $4.50-5.00 in major cities
On the 2021 minimum wage, your weekly take-home pay was approximately $689.48. After rent in a capital city, minimum wage workers often had limited disposable income for other expenses.
Australian Minimum Wage History — 2010 to 2026
| Year | Hourly | Weekly | Annual | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | $15.00 | $570.00 | $29,640.00 | — |
| 2011 | $15.51 | $589.38 | $30,647.76 | +3.4% |
| 2012 | $15.96 | $606.48 | $31,536.96 | +2.9% |
| 2013 | $16.37 | $622.06 | $32,347.12 | +2.6% |
| 2014 | $16.87 | $641.06 | $33,335.12 | +3.1% |
| 2015 | $17.29 | $657.02 | $34,165.04 | +2.5% |
| 2016 | $17.70 | $672.60 | $34,975.20 | +2.4% |
| 2017 | $18.29 | $695.02 | $36,141.04 | +3.3% |
| 2018 | $18.93 | $719.34 | $37,405.68 | +3.5% |
| 2019 | $19.49 | $740.62 | $38,512.24 | +3% |
| 2020 | $19.84 | $753.92 | $39,203.84 | +1.8% |
| 2021(this page) | $20.33 | $772.54 | $40,172.08 | +2.5% |
| 2022 | $21.38 | $812.44 | $42,246.88 | +5.2% |
| 2023 | $23.23 | $882.74 | $45,902.48 | +8.7% |
| 2024 | $24.10 | $915.80 | $47,621.60 | +3.7% |
| 2025 | $24.10 | $915.80 | $47,621.60 | 0% |
| 2026 | $24.10 | $915.80 | $47,621.60 | 0% |
Browse by Year
Related Tools
Check your current pay against the minimum wage, calculate take-home pay, or see if you are owed back pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the minimum wage in Australia in 2021?
The national minimum wage in 2021 was $20.33 per hour, $772.54 per week (based on a 38-hour week), and $40,172.08 per year before tax.
How much did minimum wage workers take home after tax in 2021?
On the 2021 minimum wage of $40,172.08/year, the estimated after-tax take-home pay was approximately $35,853.11 per year, or $689.48 per week. This includes income tax and Medicare levy but excludes HECS repayments.
Did minimum wage keep up with inflation in 2021?
No. The minimum wage increased by 2.5% in 2021 but CPI inflation was approximately 3.5%. Wages fell behind inflation by 1 percentage points.
How much has minimum wage increased since 2021?
The minimum wage has increased from $20.33/hr in 2021 to $24.10/hr in 2026 — an increase of $3.77/hr (19%). This reflects cumulative Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review decisions.
When does the Australian minimum wage change?
The Fair Work Commission conducts an Annual Wage Review each year. The new minimum wage rate typically takes effect from 1 July. The decision is usually announced in June after considering economic conditions, cost of living, and the needs of the low-paid.
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.