Minimum Wage for a 15 Year Old in Australia 2026-27
Award-free minimum $9.73/hr, plus the junior rate 15 year olds actually get under the Retail, Fast Food and Hospitality awards — hourly, casual and weekly, from 1 July 2026.
15 year olds earn a minimum of $9.73/hr (37% of the adult rate) if no award applies
Casual rate: $12.16/hr (with 25% loading). Based on the national minimum wage of $26.44/hr for adults (21+).
Most 15 year olds work under an award with its own junior scale: Retail Award $12.51/hr, Fast Food Award $11.12/hr, Hospitality Award $13.22/hr (Level 1, permanent; casuals add 25%). Full table below.
Award junior rates for 15 year olds (1 July 2026)
Each award sets its own junior percentages — they are not the national minimum wage ladder. Level 1 rates for the awards 15 year olds most often work under:
| Award | Age band | % of adult | Per hour | Casual/hr | Per week (38 hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail Award | Under 16 | 45% | $12.51 | $15.64 | $475.56 |
| Fast Food Award | Under 16 | 40% | $11.12 | $13.90 | $422.72 |
| Hospitality Award | Under 17 | 50% | $13.22 | $16.53 | $502.36 |
| Cleaning Award | Under 16 | 45% | $12.18 | $15.23 | $463.01 |
| Hair & Beauty Award | Under 17 | 50% | $13.91 | $17.39 | $528.58 |
| Pastoral Award | Under 16 | 50% | $12.87 | $16.09 | $489.05 |
What a 15 year old earns per week
Permanent (part-time) base pay before tax at typical junior hours. Casuals multiply by 1.25; weekend, public holiday and evening shifts add penalty rates on top.
| Rate | 10 hrs | 15 hrs | 20 hrs | 25 hrs | 38 hrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Award-free minimum ($9.73/hr) | $97.30 | $145.95 | $194.60 | $243.25 | $369.74 |
| Retail Award ($12.51/hr) | $125.10 | $187.65 | $250.20 | $312.75 | $475.38 |
| Fast Food Award ($11.12/hr) | $111.20 | $166.80 | $222.40 | $278.00 | $422.56 |
| Hospitality Award ($13.22/hr) | $132.20 | $198.30 | $264.40 | $330.50 | $502.36 |
| Retail Award casual ($15.64/hr) | $156.40 | $234.60 | $312.80 | $391.00 | $594.32 |
Junior pay rates by job — age 15
| Job | Base rate | Casual rate | % of adult | Award |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail Worker | $12.51 | $15.64 | 45% | Retail Award |
| Barista | $13.22 | $16.53 | 50% | Hospitality Award |
| Waiter | $13.22 | $16.53 | 50% | Hospitality Award |
| Bartender | $13.22 | $16.53 | 50% | Hospitality Award |
| Kitchen Hand | $13.22 | $16.53 | 50% | Hospitality Award |
| Cleaner | $12.18 | $15.23 | 45% | Cleaning Award |
| Warehouse Worker | Junior % set by the award — schedule not in the FWC pay database, so no figure is quoted. Adult Level 1: $27.08/hr. | Storage Services and Wholesale Award 2020 | ||
| Hairdresser | $13.91 | $17.39 | 50% | Hair & Beauty Award |
| Beauty Therapist | $13.91 | $17.39 | 50% | Hair & Beauty Award |
| Pharmacy Assistant | Junior % set by the award — schedule not in the FWC pay database, so no figure is quoted. Adult Level 1: $27.81/hr. | Pharmacy Industry Award 2020 | ||
| Fast Food Worker | $11.12 | $13.90 | 40% | Fast Food Award |
| Farm Worker | $12.87 | $16.09 | 50% | Pastoral Award |
| Factory Worker | Junior % set by the award — schedule not in the FWC pay database, so no figure is quoted. Adult C13: $26.44/hr. | Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020 | ||
Weekly earnings at age 15 — award-free minimum
Based on the national minimum junior rate of $9.73/hr:
| Hours/week | Base pay | Casual pay |
|---|---|---|
| 10 hours | $97.30 | $121.60 |
| 15 hours | $145.95 | $182.40 |
| 20 hours | $194.60 | $243.20 |
| 25 hours | $243.25 | $304.00 |
| 38 hours | $369.74 | $462.08 |
When does my pay go up?
When you turn 16, the award-free minimum rises to $12.51/hr (47% of the adult rate) — an increase of $2.78/hr. Under the Retail Award your rate becomes $13.91/hr and under the Fast Food Award $13.91/hr.
Your employer must increase your pay rate from your birthday. If they don't, you may be entitled to back pay for every hour worked at the old rate.
Work hour rules for under-18s
- Child employment laws are state-based and mostly cover younger children — Victoria, for example, caps under-15s at 12 hours a week (3 hours a day) during school term. Check your state's rules for your age.
- Work must not be rostered during school hours while you are of compulsory school age.
- Your award sets minimum shift lengths and breaks — typically a meal break after 5 hours and a paid rest break on longer shifts.
- Parental consent and a permit may be required for workers under 15 in some states.
- Certain hazardous work is prohibited for workers under 18 (e.g. operating some machinery, working at heights).
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Related pay rate pages
Frequently asked questions
How much should a 15 year old get paid in Australia?
The award-free national minimum wage for a 15 year old is $9.73/hr (37% of the adult $26.44/hr). Most 15 year olds are covered by an award with its own junior scale: $12.51/hr under the Retail Award, $11.12/hr under the Fast Food Award and $13.22/hr under the Hospitality Award (Level 1, from 1 July 2026). Casuals get 25% on top.
What is the minimum wage for 15 year olds?
The minimum wage for 15 year olds in Australia is $9.73/hr for permanent employees and $12.16/hr for casuals (including 25% casual loading) if no award applies. If an award covers your job, its junior rate applies instead — the table on this page lists the Retail, Fast Food, Hospitality, Cleaning, Hair & Beauty and Pastoral awards.
How much does a 15 year old earn in retail or at a supermarket?
Supermarkets and most shops are covered by the General Retail Industry Award. A 15 year old at Retail Employee Level 1 earns $12.51/hr (45% of the adult $27.81/hr), or $15.64/hr as a casual.
How much does a 15 year old get paid at McDonald's, KFC or Hungry Jack's?
Fast food chains are covered by the Fast Food Industry Award unless an enterprise agreement applies (an agreement must leave you better off overall). The award minimum for a 15 year old at Level 1 is $11.12/hr (40% of the adult rate), or $13.90/hr casual, plus penalty rates for weekends, public holidays and after 9pm.
How many hours can a 15 year old work?
There is no federal limit on hours for 15 year olds; child employment rules are set by each state and territory and mostly apply to younger children (Victoria, for example, caps under-15s at 12 hours a week during school term). Your award still sets minimum shift lengths, breaks and the hours that attract penalty rates. Employers must not roster you during school hours.
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