How does $45 per hour compare to the national minimum wage?

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a full-time adult employee. At $45 per hour, you earn 70% more per hour than the minimum. However, award or enterprise agreement rates may be higher than the minimum, and some employees (juniors, apprentices, trainees) can be paid less than the national minimum.

What is the annual salary for $45 per hour?

Assuming a standard 38-hour week and 52 weeks per year, $45 per hour gives an annual salary of $88,920 before tax. This is above the ABS May 2026 full-time adult average ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year). Actual take-home pay depends on tax, the Medicare levy, and any salary sacrifice arrangements.

Does $45 per hour include superannuation?

No. The superannuation guarantee requires employers to pay an additional 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. So for $45 per hour, the employer must also contribute $5.40 per hour into your super fund. The $45 rate is before super; your total employment cost to the employer is $50.40 per hour.

What a $45 per hour annual salary means in Australia

At $45 per hour, the annual salary is about $88,920, well above the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour.

What a $45 per hour annual salary means for your pay packet

If you earn $45 per hour, your annual salary (based on a 38-hour week, 52 weeks) comes to $88,920. That figure is a useful benchmark, but it’s important to separate the legal minimum from award rates, survey averages, and what you actually negotiate. This guide explains how $45 per hour stacks up against Australia’s pay floors and typical earnings.

The legal minimum wage

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage each year. From 1 July 2026, the adult rate is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for award-free employees . Casual employees get a 25% loading, making the minimum casual rate $33.05 per hour. At $45 per hour, you are well above these floors.

However, not every worker is entitled to the full adult minimum. Junior employees (under 21), apprentices, trainees, and employees on introductory award rates can be paid less. For example, a 17-year-old award-free junior receives 57.8% of the adult rate, or $15.29 per hour. Always check the specific award or agreement that applies to you using the Which minimum wage applies guide.

Award rates and enterprise agreements

Most employees are covered by a modern award or an enterprise agreement, which can set higher minimum rates than the national minimum. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides for each award . From 1 July 2026, award minimum wages rose by 4.75%, but the lowest ongoing classification cannot fall below $26.44 per hour. Some awards have introductory rates (e.g., $25.74 per hour for the first six months).

If your award or agreement sets a rate above $45 per hour, that is your legal minimum. If it sets a lower rate, your employer can pay you $45 per hour as a negotiated salary, provided it meets the award minimum. Enterprise agreements often include annualised salary arrangements that cover penalty rates and allowances.

How $45 per hour compares to average earnings

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported in May 2026 that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week (about $108,352 per year). All employees (including part-time and casual) averaged $1,579.20 per week. At $1,710 per week ($45 × 38), your earnings sit between those two averages—higher than the all-employees average but lower than the full-time average. This suggests $45 per hour is a solid middle-income rate.

Tax and superannuation on $45 per hour

Your $45 per hour is before tax and before the superannuation guarantee. For the 2026-27 income year, a resident earning $88,920 pays tax according to the progressive rates (with the full tax-free threshold). The Medicare levy adds about 2% once annual income exceeds $30,000. The actual tax depends on your circumstances (e.g., low-income offset, HELP debt, salary sacrifice).

Superannuation is an employer contribution on top. The super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. So for $45 per hour, your employer must pay an extra $5.40 per hour into your super fund. Your total remuneration cost to the employer is $50.40 per hour. This is not deducted from your pay; it is an additional payment.

Negotiating a salary at $45 per hour

If you are negotiating a salary based on $45 per hour, remember that the figure is usually expressed as an annualised salary in contracts. For a 38-hour week, that is $88,920. Some roles may require overtime, weekend work, or public holidays, which attract penalty rates under awards. An annualised salary should account for those extra payments. The Rate tables page can help you compare award penalty rates.

When the minimum does not apply

Some employees are not in the national system. State public sector and local government workers in some states, and certain Western Australian sole traders and partnerships, may be covered by state awards. Those awards can have different minimum rates. Always confirm which system covers you.

Summary

$45 per hour = $1,710 per week, $88,920 per year (38-hour week).
The national minimum is $26.44 per hour; award rates may be higher.
Superannuation of 12% is paid on top by your employer.
Your actual take-home pay depends on tax, Medicare, and any salary sacrifice.
Use the Guides section for more on pay calculations.

For a full breakdown of how pay floors are set and what they mean, see How the figures work.