Is Josh Daicos salary covered by the national minimum wage?

No. Josh Daicos is a professional AFL player employed under a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the AFL and the AFL Players Association. That CBA sets minimum player payments and salary caps, which are far above the national minimum wage. AFL players are not covered by a modern award or the national minimum wage.

What is the difference between an award rate and a negotiated salary?

An award rate is the legal minimum pay and conditions set by the Fair Work Commission for a specific industry or occupation. A negotiated salary, like Josh Daicos salary, is agreed between an employer and employee, often above the award or minimum. If an enterprise agreement or individual contract pays less than the relevant award, the award rate prevails.

Does the national minimum wage apply to all workers?

No. The national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026) applies only to employees not covered by a modern award or registered agreement. Most workers are covered by an award, which may have higher rates. Juniors, apprentices, trainees, and employees with disability may receive less than the adult national minimum wage under special provisions.

Josh Daicos salary: How award coverage and award-free rates compare

Josh Daicos salary is not publicly disclosed; it is a privately negotiated AFL player contract, not a minimum wage or award rate.

Josh Daicos salary and the Australian pay landscape

When people search for "josh daicos salary", they are usually looking for the contract value of the Collingwood midfielder. That figure is not published by the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Fair Work Commission, or the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It is a privately negotiated amount between the player and the club, governed by the AFL's collective bargaining agreement. This guide does not reveal Josh Daicos salary, but it explains how minimum wage laws apply to most other Australian workers, and how award coverage differs from award-free employment.

The legal minimum: award-free employees

For employees who are not covered by a modern award or an enterprise agreement, the national minimum wage applies. As of the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, that rate is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, bringing the casual rate to $33.05 per hour. These figures are set by the Fair Work Commission and enforced by the Fair Work Ombudsman. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains that the national minimum wage is the base rate for adult employees in the national system who are award/agreement free.

However, not every worker must receive $26.44 an hour. Juniors (under 21), apprentices, trainees, and employees with disability can be paid less under special national minimum wages. For example, a 17-year-old award-free junior is entitled to 57.8% of the adult rate, or $15.29 per hour ($19.11 casual). These percentages are set out in the National Minimum Wage Order.

Award coverage: higher rates for most industries

Most Australian employees are covered by a modern award. Awards are legal documents that set minimum pay rates, penalty rates, allowances, and conditions for specific industries or occupations. From 1 July 2026, minimum award wages increased by 4.75%, but the lowest ongoing classification in any award cannot fall below the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week. Introductory rates for the first six months of employment must be at least $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week.

To find the correct award, use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool or check the coverage clause of the relevant award. If an enterprise agreement applies, the base pay rate cannot be less than the award rate. A negotiated salary, like Josh Daicos salary, is typically well above these floors.

Superannuation: an employer payment on top

When discussing any salary or wage, it is important to remember that superannuation is an additional employer payment. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings, and employers must pay it at the same time as wages. For an employee earning the national minimum wage of $1,004.90 per week, the employer must also contribute $120.59 to super. This is not deducted from the employee's pay; it is on top.

How the figures work

This site uses the official national minimum wage and award rates published by the Fair Work Commission. The adult weekly national minimum is $1,004.90. Multiplying $26.44 by 38 hours gives $1,004.72 due to rounding in the order; the official weekly figure takes precedence. Casual weekly figures on this site are the casual hourly rate multiplied by 38 ordinary hours, with no penalty rates applied.

For award-free juniors, the percentages are based on the National Minimum Wage Order. For award-covered employees, always check the specific award because penalty rates and allowances can significantly increase take-home pay.

Josh Daicos salary in context

Josh Daicos salary is not a minimum wage figure; it is a market-driven contract in a professional sport. The AFL CBA sets a minimum player payment (around $120,000 in 2025) and a total player payments cap per club. Star players like Daicos earn much more, but the exact amount is confidential. This contrasts with award-covered workers whose pay is transparent and legally enforceable.

If you are an employee wondering which pay floor applies to you, start by determining whether you are covered by a modern award. Use our Which minimum wage applies guide. For a full list of current rates, see our Rate tables. For more detail on how the national minimum wage and award rates are calculated, visit How the figures work.

Summary

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($33.05 casual).
Most workers are covered by a modern award with higher minimums.
Juniors, apprentices, and trainees may be paid less.
Superannuation of 12% is paid on top of wages.
Josh Daicos salary is a negotiated AFL contract, not a public minimum wage figure.