Minimum Wage for an 18 Year Old in Australia 2026-27
Award-free minimum $18.06/hr, plus the junior rate 18 year olds actually get under the Retail, Fast Food and Hospitality awards — hourly, casual and weekly, from 1 July 2026.
18 year olds earn a minimum of $18.06/hr (68% of the adult rate) if no award applies
Casual rate: $22.58/hr (with 25% loading). Based on the national minimum wage of $26.44/hr for adults (21+).
Most 18 year olds work under an award with its own junior scale: Retail Award $19.47/hr, Fast Food Award $19.47/hr, Hospitality Award $18.51/hr (Level 1, permanent; casuals add 25%). Full table below.
Award junior rates for 18 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 18 year olds most often work under:
| Award | Age band | % of adult | Per hour | Casual/hr | Per week (38 hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail Award | 18 | 70% | $19.47 | $24.34 | $739.76 |
| Fast Food Award | 18 | 70% | $19.47 | $24.34 | $739.76 |
| Hospitality Award | 18 | 70% | $18.51 | $23.14 | $703.38 |
| Cleaning Award | 18 | 70% | $18.95 | $23.69 | $720.23 |
| Hair & Beauty Award | 18 — adult rate | 100% | $27.81 | $34.76 | $1,056.78 |
| Pastoral Award | 18 | 80% | $20.59 | $25.74 | $782.48 |
18 year olds in retail, fast food and pharmacy: step increases from 1 December 2026
The Fair Work Commission has decided that 18 year olds under the Retail, Fast Food and Pharmacy awards move to the full adult rate once they have worked for their employer for more than 6 months. The increase is phased in from 1 December 2026 ([2026] FWCFB 222), each step applying from the first pay period starting on or after the date. In your first 6 months with an employer — and if you work under another award — the junior rate in the table above still applies.
| From | Retail Award (levels 1–3) | Fast Food Award | Pharmacy Award (pharmacy assistants levels 1–2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Until 30 Nov 2026 | 70% · $19.47 | 70% · $19.47 | 70% · $19.47 |
| 1 Dec 2026 | 75% · $20.86 | 75% · $20.86 | 75% · $20.86 |
| 1 July 2027 | 80% | 80% | 85% |
| 1 Dec 2027 | 85% | 85% | 85% |
| 1 July 2028 | 90% | 90% | 95% |
| 1 Dec 2028 | 95% | 95% | 95% |
| 1 July 2029 | 100% | 100% | 100% |
What an 18 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 ($18.06/hr) | $180.60 | $270.90 | $361.20 | $451.50 | $686.28 |
| Retail Award ($19.47/hr) | $194.70 | $292.05 | $389.40 | $486.75 | $739.86 |
| Fast Food Award ($19.47/hr) | $194.70 | $292.05 | $389.40 | $486.75 | $739.86 |
| Hospitality Award ($18.51/hr) | $185.10 | $277.65 | $370.20 | $462.75 | $703.38 |
| Retail Award casual ($24.34/hr) | $243.40 | $365.10 | $486.80 | $608.50 | $924.92 |
Junior pay rates by job — age 18
| Job | Base rate | Casual rate | % of adult | Award |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail Worker | $19.47 | $24.34 | 70% | Retail Award |
| Barista | $18.51 | $23.14 | 70% | Hospitality Award |
| Waiter | $18.51 | $23.14 | 70% | Hospitality Award |
| Bartender | $18.51 | $23.14 | 70% | Hospitality Award |
| Kitchen Hand | $18.51 | $23.14 | 70% | Hospitality Award |
| Cleaner | $18.95 | $23.69 | 70% | 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 | $27.81 | $34.76 | 100% | Hair & Beauty Award |
| Beauty Therapist | $27.81 | $34.76 | 100% | 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 | $19.47 | $24.34 | 70% | Fast Food Award |
| Farm Worker | $20.59 | $25.74 | 80% | 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 18 — award-free minimum
Based on the national minimum junior rate of $18.06/hr:
| Hours/week | Base pay | Casual pay |
|---|---|---|
| 10 hours | $180.60 | $225.80 |
| 15 hours | $270.90 | $338.70 |
| 20 hours | $361.20 | $451.60 |
| 25 hours | $451.50 | $564.50 |
| 38 hours | $686.28 | $858.04 |
When does my pay go up?
When you turn 19, the award-free minimum rises to $21.82/hr (83% of the adult rate) — an increase of $3.76/hr. Under the Retail Award your rate becomes $22.25/hr and under the Fast Food Award $22.25/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.
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Frequently asked questions
How much should an 18 year old get paid in Australia?
The award-free national minimum wage for an 18 year old is $18.06/hr (68% of the adult $26.44/hr). Most 18 year olds are covered by an award with its own junior scale: $19.47/hr under the Retail Award, $19.47/hr under the Fast Food Award and $18.51/hr under the Hospitality Award (Level 1, from 1 July 2026). Casuals get 25% on top.
What is the minimum wage for 18 year olds?
The minimum wage for 18 year olds in Australia is $18.06/hr for permanent employees and $22.58/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 an 18 year old earn in retail or at a supermarket?
Supermarkets and most shops are covered by the General Retail Industry Award. A 18 year old at Retail Employee Level 1 earns $19.47/hr (70% of the adult $27.81/hr), or $24.34/hr as a casual.
How much does an 18 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 an 18 year old at Level 1 is $19.47/hr (70% of the adult rate), or $24.34/hr casual, plus penalty rates for weekends, public holidays and after 9pm.
How many hours can an 18 year old work?
At 18, you are legally an adult and there are no age-based restrictions on working hours. Full-time employees work 38 ordinary hours per week under the Fair Work Act, plus reasonable additional hours; your award sets minimum shift lengths and breaks.
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