Minimum Wage Australia 2026
Complete breakdown of the 2026 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 2026 was $24.10/hour, $915.80/week, or $47,621.60/year (before tax, based on a 38-hour work week).
Current rate until July 2026 FWC Annual Wage Review decision
2026 Minimum Wage Rates
Hourly
$24.10
Weekly (38 hrs)
$915.80
Annual
$47,621.60
Year-on-Year Change
$24.10/hr
$24.10/hr
No change
0%
Inflation Context — Did Wages Keep Up?
In 2026, the minimum wage did not change while CPI inflation was approximately 2.5%.
With no wage increase and 2.5% inflation, minimum wage workers lost purchasing power in real terms.
The 2010 rate of $15.00/hr would need to be $23.00/hr in 2026 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 (2026)
| Item | Annual | Monthly | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $47,621.60 | $3,968.47 | $915.80 |
| Tax + Medicare levy (est.) | -$6,026.91 | -$502.24 | -$115.90 |
| Take-home pay | $41,594.69 | $3,466.22 | $799.90 |
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 2026?
- •Average rent continues to climb across all capitals
- •A coffee costs $5.50-6.50 in CBD areas
- •Weekly groceries for one person cost $175-210
- •Streaming subscriptions total $50-80/month for most households
On the 2026 minimum wage, your weekly take-home pay was approximately $799.90. 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 | $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(this page) | $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 2026?
The national minimum wage in 2026 was $24.10 per hour, $915.80 per week (based on a 38-hour week), and $47,621.60 per year before tax.
How much did minimum wage workers take home after tax in 2026?
On the 2026 minimum wage of $47,621.60/year, the estimated after-tax take-home pay was approximately $41,594.69 per year, or $799.90 per week. This includes income tax and Medicare levy but excludes HECS repayments.
Did minimum wage keep up with inflation in 2026?
No. There was no change to the minimum wage in 2026 while CPI inflation was approximately 2.5%, meaning minimum wage workers lost purchasing power.
How much has minimum wage increased since 2026?
The minimum wage has increased from $24.10/hr in 2026 to $24.10/hr in 2026 — an increase of $0.00/hr (0%). 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.