Minimum wage for an 18-year-old in Victoria: award-free rates explained

Minimum wage for an 18-year-old in Victoria

If you are 18 and working in Victoria, the minimum pay you are entitled to depends on whether you are covered by a modern award, an enterprise agreement, or no award at all. This guide explains the legal minimum wage for an 18-year-old in Victoria, how it compares to the adult national minimum wage, and what other factors can affect your pay.

Award coverage versus award-free rates

Most employees in Victoria are in the national workplace relations system and are covered by a modern award that applies to their industry or occupation. Awards set minimum pay rates, including junior rates for employees under 21. If you are covered by an award, you must be paid at least the award rate for your age and classification. That rate may be higher than the award-free junior rate.

If you are not covered by any award or registered agreement, you are award-free. In that case, the national minimum wage applies, but with a special junior percentage because you are under 21. The Fair Work Commission sets these percentages each year.

The award-free junior rate for 18-year-olds

From 1 July 2026, the adult national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. For award-free employees aged 18, the rate is 68.3% of the adult rate. That works out to $18.06 per hour or $686.28 per week before tax. If you are a casual employee, you also receive a 25% casual loading, making the casual rate $22.58 per hour or $858.04 per week.

These rates are the legal minimum for award-free 18-year-olds in Victoria. However, if you are covered by an award, the award may set a higher junior rate. Always check your award first using the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool.

How this compares to other measures

The award-free junior minimum is a floor. It is not the same as average earnings. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), in May 2026 full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week. That figure includes many experienced workers and is much higher than the junior minimum. Also, many employees covered by awards or agreements earn more than the minimum.

A negotiated salary, for example in a contract or enterprise agreement, can also be higher than the award or award-free rate. But it cannot be lower.

Superannuation is on top

When discussing pay, remember that superannuation is an employer contribution on top of your gross pay. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of your ordinary time earnings. So for an award-free 18-year-old earning $18.06 per hour, the employer must also pay an additional $2.17 per hour into your super fund. This is not deducted from your wage.

What about apprentices and trainees?

The junior percentages above do not apply to apprentices or trainees. Award-free apprentices and trainees have their own special national minimum wages based on the Miscellaneous Award 2020. Those rates are different and depend on the year of the apprenticeship or traineeship.

State system in Victoria

Victoria is part of the national system for most private sector employees. Some state public sector and local government employees may be covered by Victorian state awards, but the majority of 18-year-old workers in Victoria will be under the national system.

Key takeaways

• The minimum wage for an award-free 18-year-old in Victoria is $18.06 per hour (or $22.58 casual).
• If you are covered by an award, check the award for your specific junior rate – it may be higher.
• Superannuation is paid on top at 12%.
• The adult national minimum wage of $26.44 does not apply to juniors unless they are 21 or over.
• Always verify your correct pay using official sources like the Fair Work Ombudsman.

For more details, see our Which minimum wage applies guide and Rate tables.

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