What is the minimum wage in Adelaide for an adult worker?

The minimum wage in Adelaide is the national minimum wage set by the Fair Work Commission. From 1 July 2026, the adult rate is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. Casual workers receive $33.05 per hour, which includes the 25% casual loading. These rates apply to award-free and agreement-free employees in the national system, which covers most private-sector workers in South Australia.

Does the minimum wage in Adelaide include casual loading?

Yes, the casual hourly rate of $33.05 (from 1 July 2026) already includes the 25% casual loading. This loading compensates for entitlements like paid leave that permanent employees receive. The base adult casual rate is calculated as $26.44 × 1.25 = $33.05. Casual employees are also entitled to the 12% super guarantee on top of their ordinary time earnings.

Are there different minimum wage rates for juniors in Adelaide?

Yes, for award-free employees under 21, the national minimum wage is reduced by set percentages. For example, a 16-year-old receives 47.3% of the adult rate: $12.51 per hour (casual $15.64). A 19-year-old receives 82.5%: $21.82 per hour (casual $27.28). These percentages apply only if no modern award or enterprise agreement covers the employee. Awards often have their own junior rates, which may differ.

Minimum Wage Adelaide: What You Need to Know in 2026-27

Adelaide's minimum wage is the national minimum: $26.44/h or $1004.90/week for adults, with casual loading included in the $33.05/h casual rate.

Minimum Wage Adelaide: The Legal Floor

If you work in Adelaide and are covered by the national workplace relations system, your minimum pay is set by the Fair Work Commission's national minimum wage. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the adult rate is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. Casual employees receive $33.05 per hour, which includes the 25% casual loading. These figures apply to award-free and agreement-free employees. Most private-sector workers in Adelaide fall under the national system, though some state public sector and local government employees may be covered by South Australian state awards.

The National Minimum Wage vs. Award Rates

The national minimum wage is a safety net. If your job is covered by a modern award, the award sets a higher minimum rate for your classification. For example, the lowest ongoing classification in any award cannot fall below $26.44 per hour, but many awards have rates above that. Introductory award rates (first six months) are capped at $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week. Always check your award first. Enterprise agreements can also set higher rates. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces these obligations, but the Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage.

Casual Loading and Super Guarantee

Casual employees in Adelaide receive a loading of 25% on top of the base rate to compensate for missing entitlements like paid leave. The casual rate shown above ($33.05/h) already includes that loading. On top of all ordinary time earnings, employers must pay the super guarantee of 12% into a complying super fund. This is an additional cost to the employer, not deducted from the employee's pay. For a casual earning $33.05 per hour, the employer pays an extra $3.97 per hour into super.

Junior and Apprentice Rates

For award-free employees under 21, the national minimum wage is reduced by age-based percentages. For example:

Under 16: 36.8% → $9.73/h (casual $12.16)
17 years: 57.8% → $15.29/h (casual $19.11)
20 years: 97.7% → $25.84/h (casual $32.30)
21 and over: 100% → $26.44/h (casual $33.05)

These percentages only apply if no award or agreement covers the employee. Apprentices and trainees who are award-free follow the Miscellaneous Award rates, not the junior percentages. Modern awards often have their own junior and apprentice rates, which may be higher or lower than these national percentages.

How Adelaide Compares with National Averages

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported that in May 2026, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week nationally. That is roughly double the national minimum wage of $1,004.90. The average total earnings for all employees (including part-time and casual) was $1,579.20 per week. These are national figures; Adelaide-specific averages are not available in this reference. Your actual pay may be higher if you are covered by an award or agreement, or if you negotiate a salary above the minimum.

Tax and Take-Home Pay

For the 2026-27 tax year, resident rates with the full tax-free threshold apply. Once annualised ordinary gross pay reaches about $30,000, Medicare levy of 2% is estimated. This model leaves out the low income tax offset, HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, and the Medicare levy surcharge. Use the ATO's tax calculator for a precise estimate. Remember, the minimum wage is before tax and super.

Which Minimum Wage Applies to You?

To determine your correct pay floor, start by checking if a modern award covers your job. You can search award classifications on the Fair Work Ombudsman website. If no award applies and no enterprise agreement covers you, the national minimum wage is your legal minimum. For more details, see our Which minimum wage applies guide or browse our Rate tables for historical and current figures.

Important Notes

The adult weekly national minimum is published as $1,004.90. Multiplying $26.44 by 38 hours gives $1,004.72 due to rounding; the published figure is authoritative.
Casual weekly figures on this site are the published casual hourly rate times 38 ordinary hours, with no penalty rates.
State system employees (some SA public sector and local government) may have different minimums under state awards. Check with the South Australian Employment Tribunal if unsure.
This guide is for orientation only. It is not a pay determination, tax advice, or legal advice.

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