What is the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026?

The Fair Work Commission set the national minimum wage at $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual rate $33.05 per hour. These rates apply to award-free and agreement-free employees in the national system.

Can I be paid less than the award rate if I agree?

No. A modern award or enterprise agreement sets the minimum pay and conditions for your industry or occupation. You cannot agree to be paid less than the award rate, even if you sign a contract. If no award or agreement covers you, the national minimum wage applies.

How does superannuation affect my salary negotiations?

Superannuation is an employer payment on top of your salary. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary time earnings. When negotiating, remember that your total remuneration includes both your gross wage and the super contribution, but the super amount is not part of your take-home pay.

How to Negotiate Salary: Know the Pay Floor Before You Talk

The national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026, but most workers are covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement that sets a higher minimum.

How to Negotiate Salary: Start With the Floor

Knowing how to negotiate salary in Australia begins with understanding the legal minimum you are entitled to. The national minimum wage, set by the Fair Work Commission and explained by the Fair Work Ombudsman, is the safety net for employees not covered by an award or agreement. From 1 July 2026, that rate is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. Casual employees get a 25% loading, bringing the casual rate to $33.05 per hour. But this is only the starting point—most workers are covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement that sets a higher minimum.

The Legal Minimum: Your Safety Net

The national minimum wage applies only if you are award-free and agreement-free. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides tools to check which award covers your job. Awards contain minimum hourly rates, penalty rates, and allowances. For example, the lowest ongoing classification in a modern award cannot be less than $26.44 per hour, but many awards have higher rates. Introductory rates (limited to the first six months) can be as low as $25.74 per hour. Juniors, apprentices, trainees, and employees with a disability may have lower special rates. The Fair Work Commission publishes a Modern Awards Pay Database with detailed rates for each award.

When you negotiate salary, your starting point should be the award rate for your classification. If you are not covered by an award, the national minimum wage is your floor. Remember that superannuation (12% from 1 July 2026) is paid on top of your ordinary time earnings—it is not part of your hourly rate.

How Your Rate Compares With the Average

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes average earnings data. In May 2026, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week, or about $54.83 per hour for a 38-hour week. All employees (including part-time and casual) averaged $1,579.20 per week. These averages are higher than the national minimum because they include experienced workers, overtime, and higher-paid industries. Use them as a benchmark, not a target. Your negotiation should be based on your skills, experience, and the market rate for your role, not just the average.

Award Rates and Negotiated Salaries

A modern award sets the minimum, but you can negotiate a salary above that rate. Enterprise agreements may also set higher rates. When you negotiate, consider the total package: base salary, super, penalties, allowances, and any bonuses. The Fair Work Ombudsman advises that job advertisements must not advertise pay rates below the award or national minimum. If you are offered a rate below the legal minimum, you can report it.

To check which minimum wage applies to you, see our Which minimum wage applies guide. For detailed award rates, visit our Rate tables.

Practical Steps for Negotiation

Find your award or agreement. Use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool to identify your award and classification.
Know the minimum rate. Look up the hourly rate for your classification in the award. Add any applicable penalties or allowances.
Research market rates. Use job ads, industry surveys, and ABS data to understand typical pay for your role.
Calculate your worth. Consider your experience, qualifications, and performance. Prepare a clear case for why you deserve above the minimum.
Discuss total remuneration. Mention super, leave entitlements, and other benefits. Remember that super is an employer cost, not your take-home pay.
Be realistic. If the employer offers the award rate, that is legal. Negotiate for more based on your value, but know that the award rate is the floor.

What If You Are Award-Free?

If no award or enterprise agreement covers you, the national minimum wage applies. You can still negotiate above $26.44 per hour. The ABS average earnings give you a sense of what others earn, but your individual circumstances matter more. For award-free juniors, the special national minimum wage percentages apply (e.g., under 16: $9.73 per hour). These are the legal minimums—you can ask for more.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to negotiate salary in Australia means understanding the legal framework first. The national minimum wage and award rates protect you from being underpaid. Use them as your foundation, then build your case for a higher rate based on your skills and the market. Always check your pay against the correct award or agreement, and remember that super is an extra employer contribution. For more guidance, see our Guides and How the figures work.