Hays Salary Guide 2026: How the Minimum Wage Compares
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week, with super on top.
Hays Salary Guide 2026 and the legal minimum
The Hays Salary Guide 2026 is a widely used market salary survey, but it does not set the legal pay floor. For award-free and agreement-free employees, the national minimum wage applies. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual rate $33.05 per hour. Superannuation of 12% is paid on top of these amounts.
Most employees are covered by a modern award. The Fair Work Commission increased minimum award wages by 4.75% from 1 July 2026, with a backstop that the lowest ongoing classification cannot fall below the national minimum. Introductory rates limited to the first six months cannot be less than $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week. Enterprise agreements can set higher rates, but never lower than the relevant award.
How the Hays Salary Guide 2026 compares
The Hays Salary Guide 2026 reports typical salaries for specific roles and industries. These are market averages, not minimums. For example, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported in May 2026 that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week, while all employees averaged $1,579.20 per week. The national minimum wage is well below these averages, reflecting its role as a safety net.
If you are negotiating a salary, the Hays Salary Guide 2026 can help you understand what employers typically offer. But your legal entitlement starts with the minimum wage. Use the Which minimum wage applies to check your coverage. For award rates, see the Rate tables for current award pay guides.
Junior, apprentice, and supported wage rates
Award-free juniors have specific percentages of the adult national minimum. For example, a 16-year-old earns $12.51 per hour (47.3%), casual $15.64. At 18, $18.06 per hour (68.3%). The full adult rate applies at 21. Apprentices and trainees under award-free conditions follow the Miscellaneous Award rates, not the junior percentages. Supported wages for employees with disability are set by assessment.
Even if you are covered by an award, junior or introductory rates may apply. Always check the specific award classification. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides and a Pay and Conditions Tool.
Superannuation and other costs
Super is an employer cost on top of wages. From 1 July 2026, payday super rules require contributions at the same time as wages. The national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour does not include super; the employer must add 12% separately. This means the total cost to employ an adult award-free worker is at least $29.61 per hour ($26.44 + 12% super).
Understanding the figures
The national minimum wage is set by the Fair Work Commission. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces it. The figures on this site are for orientation only. It is not a pay determination, tax advice, or legal advice. For a detailed explanation of how the calculations work, see How the figures work. For topics on specific scenarios, visit Topics.
Remember: the Hays Salary Guide 2026 is a useful tool for market rates, but your pay must meet the legal minimum. If you are unsure, check your award or agreement first.
Questions people ask next
What is the Hays Salary Guide 2026?
The Hays Salary Guide 2026 is a market survey that reports typical salaries across industries and roles. It is not a legal document. The legal minimum wage is set by the Fair Work Commission and enforced by the Fair Work Ombudsman. Always check your award or agreement first.
Can I be paid less than the national minimum wage?
Yes, if you are a junior employee under a modern award, an apprentice, a trainee, on an introductory award rate limited to the first six months, or have a supported wage for disability. Award-free juniors have percentage-based rates from 36.8% at under 16 to 97.7% at 20. The adult minimum applies at 21.
Does the minimum wage include super?
No. The super guarantee is 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. From 1 July 2026, employers must pay super at the same time as wages. The national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour does not include super; it is an additional employer cost.
Related guides
- Hays Salary Guide 2026 PDF: Understanding Australia's Pay Floors and Averages
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week. The Hays Salary Guide 2026 PDF was not available in our search; survey averages typically exceed the legal minimum.
- Hays Salary Guide vs Award Coverage: Understanding Your Pay Floor
The national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026, but the Hays Salary Guide reports market rates that are typically higher; precise Hays figures are not available from the Fair Work or ABS sources used here.
- Hays Salary Guide 2025: Award Coverage vs Award-Free Rates in Australia
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for award-free employees, but most workers are covered by awards or agreements that set higher rates.
- VPS Salary 2026: How Victorian Public Service Pay Compares to the National Minimum Wage
Victorian Public Service salaries are set by enterprise agreements and are generally well above the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week from 1 July 2026.