Does every worker in Australia get $26.44 per hour?

No. The $26.44 rate is the national minimum wage for adult employees who are not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement. Many workers are covered by an award that sets a higher minimum. Junior employees (under 21), apprentices, trainees, and some employees with disability can be paid less. Always check your award or agreement first.

How does the minimum hourly wage compare to average earnings?

The national minimum wage ($26.44/h) is well below the average full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of about $2,083.70 per week (ABS May 2026). Most employees earn more than the minimum because awards, enterprise agreements, or market rates push pay higher. The minimum is a floor, not a target.

Is superannuation included in the minimum hourly wage?

No. The minimum wage is the gross pay before tax. Superannuation guarantee (currently 12%) is paid by the employer on top of ordinary time earnings. For example, on $26.44 per hour, the employer must also contribute $3.17 per hour into your super fund. This is not deducted from your pay.

Minimum Hourly Wage Australia: Your Practical Guide to the 2026 Pay Floor

As of 1 July 2026, the national minimum hourly wage in Australia is $26.44 for adult employees not covered by an award or agreement.

Minimum hourly wage Australia: what you need to know

If you are searching for the minimum hourly wage Australia, the first thing to understand is that there is no single rate for everyone. The legal minimum depends on your industry, your award or agreement, your age, and your employment type. This guide helps you work out which floor applies and how your pay compares.

The national minimum wage for award‑free adults

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage each year. From 1 July 2026, the rate for adult employees (21 and over) who are not covered by a modern award or registered agreement is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for 38 ordinary hours. Casual employees get a 25% loading, making it $33.05 per hour.

These figures come from the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Fair Work Commission. They apply to national‑system employees – most private‑sector workers. Some state‑system employees (e.g., in Western Australia) may have different rates under state awards.

Award rates and enterprise agreements

Most Australian employees are covered by a modern award. Awards set minimum pay rates for specific industries or occupations, and these rates are often higher than the national minimum. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, award minimum wages increased by 4.75%. However, the lowest ongoing classification in any award cannot fall below the national minimum ($26.44/h or $1,004.90/week). Introductory rates (limited to the first six months) cannot fall below $25.74/h or $978.10/week.

If you are covered by an enterprise agreement, the base pay rate must be at least the award rate. Your agreement may provide higher pay. Always check your award or agreement before assuming the national minimum applies. Use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool to find your correct award.

Junior, apprentice, and supported wages

Not every worker must receive $26.44 an hour. Award‑free junior employees (under 21) are paid a percentage of the adult rate:

Under 16: 36.8% → $9.73/h (casual $12.16/h)
16 years: 47.3% → $12.51/h (casual $15.64/h)
17 years: 57.8% → $15.29/h (casual $19.11/h)
18 years: 68.3% → $18.06/h (casual $22.58/h)
19 years: 82.5% → $21.82/h (casual $27.28/h)
20 years: 97.7% → $25.84/h (casual $32.30/h)

Apprentices and trainees (award‑free) follow the Miscellaneous Award rates, not the junior percentages. Employees with a disability that affects productivity may have a supported wage based on their assessed capacity.

How the minimum hourly wage compares to average earnings

The national minimum wage is a legal floor, not a reflection of what most people earn. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (May 2026), full‑time adult ordinary‑time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week – roughly double the minimum. The average total earnings for all employees (including part‑time and casual) was $1,579.20 per week. These averages include overtime, bonuses, and higher award rates.

If you are paid exactly the minimum, you are earning well below the typical Australian worker. Many awards and agreements lift pay significantly above the floor.

Superannuation is paid on top

When discussing the minimum hourly wage Australia, remember that superannuation guarantee (currently 12%) is an employer cost on top of your gross pay. It is not deducted from your wage. For example, on $26.44 per hour, your employer contributes an extra $3.17 per hour to your super fund. This applies to ordinary time earnings, not overtime.

A practical check for your hourly rate

To see where you stand:

Find out if you are covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement. Check Which minimum wage applies for guidance.
If you are award‑free and an adult, the national minimum is $26.44/h. If you are a junior, use the percentages above.
Compare your hourly rate to the relevant floor. If your rate is below, your employer may be underpaying you.
Remember that your award or agreement may require a higher rate than the national minimum.

For detailed rate tables, visit Rate tables.

Important limits of this guide

This information is for orientation only. It is not a pay determination, tax advice, or legal advice. The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage; the Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces it. Always consult official sources or a workplace advisor for your specific situation.

Tax: The rates above are gross pay. For the 2026‑27 tax year, resident employees with the full tax‑free threshold pay no tax on the first $18,200, then marginal rates apply. Medicare levy (2%) generally applies once your annualised ordinary gross exceeds $30,000. This guide does not include the low income tax offset, HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, or the Medicare levy surcharge.

For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.