What is the current national minimum wage in Australia?

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. This rate applies to award-free and agreement-free employees in the national system. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual adult minimum $33.05 per hour. Lower rates apply for juniors, apprentices, trainees, and supported employees.

Are there different minimum wages for junior employees?

Yes. For award-free employees under 21, the national minimum wage is reduced by a percentage based on age. For example, a 16-year-old receives 47.3% of the adult rate ($12.51 per hour), and a 20-year-old receives 97.7% ($25.84 per hour). Casual juniors also get the 25% loading on their base rate. Apprentices and trainees have separate rates under the Miscellaneous Award.

Minimum Wage AU: Your Guide to the National Pay Floor

Q: How does casual loading affect the minimum wage?

Casual loading is an additional 25% on top of the minimum wage to compensate for the lack of paid leave entitlements. For the adult national minimum, this means $33.05 per hour instead of $26.44. The loading is not a penalty rate for working weekends or nights; those are separate award provisions.

The adult national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week, but lower rates apply for juniors, apprentices, and supported employees, while casual employees receive a 25% loading.

Understanding the Minimum Wage AU

When searching for the minimum wage au, it's essential to know that Australia's national minimum wage is set by the Fair Work Commission and enforced by the Fair Work Ombudsman. From 1 July 2026, the adult rate is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. This is the legal floor for employees who are not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement. However, not every worker receives this amount—junior, apprentice, trainee, and supported wage employees may be paid less.

Legal Minimum vs. Survey Averages

The national minimum wage is a floor, not a target. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week in May 2026—more than double the minimum. All employees average total earnings were $1,579.20 per week. These survey figures show that most workers earn above the legal minimum. The minimum wage ensures a baseline, but award rates and negotiated salaries typically exceed it.

Award Rates and the National Minimum

Many employees are covered by a modern award, which sets minimum wages for specific industries and occupations. Award rates are generally higher than the national minimum. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, modern award minimum wages rise by 4.75%, but the lowest ongoing classification cannot fall below the national minimum. There is also an introductory rate for the first six months of employment, set at $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week. If you are unsure which award applies, see our guide on Which minimum wage applies.

Junior and Apprentice Rates

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

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)
21 and over: 100% = $26.44/h (casual $33.05/h)

Apprentices and trainees who are award-free follow the Miscellaneous Award rates, not the junior percentages. For a full breakdown, visit our Rate tables.

Casual Loading and Superannuation

Casual employees receive a 25% loading on the minimum wage to compensate for the lack of paid leave. For the adult national minimum, this means $33.05 per hour. This loading is not a penalty rate for working unsocial hours—those are separate and usually found in awards. Employers must also pay the superannuation guarantee of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. This is an additional cost for employers and is not included in the quoted hourly rates.

Enterprise Agreements and Negotiated Salaries

Some workplaces have enterprise agreements that set higher rates than the award or national minimum. These are negotiated between employers and employees (or their representatives). If an agreement exists, it overrides the award and national minimum, provided it meets the Better Off Overall Test. Negotiated salaries for professional or managerial roles often far exceed the minimum wage.

State vs. National System

The national minimum wage applies to national-system employees—most private-sector workers. Some state public sector and local government employees, and certain Western Australian sole traders and partnerships, are covered by state awards instead. Those state awards have their own minimum rates, which may differ from the national minimum.

Important Notes

The adult weekly national minimum is the published $1,004.90 figure. Multiplying $26.44 by 38 lands 18 cents lower due to rounding in the order.
Casual weekly figures on this site are the published casual hourly rate times 38 ordinary hours, with no penalty rates.
This guide is for orientation only. It is not a pay determination, tax advice, or legal advice. Always check the specific award or agreement that applies to your job.

For more details on how we calculate these figures, see How the figures work.