Minimum Wage Australia 19 Year Old: Rates, Super, and Tax for 2026-27

Minimum Wage Australia 19 Year Old: What You Need to Know

If you are a 19-year-old working in Australia, the legal minimum wage you must be paid depends on whether you are covered by a modern award, an enterprise agreement, or are award-free. This guide explains the rates that apply from 1 July 2026, how super and tax affect your take-home pay, and how the junior percentage works.

The Legal Floor for Award-Free 19-Year-Olds

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage each year. For award-free employees who are not covered by an agreement, the adult rate from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week (38 ordinary hours). However, juniors under 21 receive a percentage of the adult rate. For a 19-year-old, that percentage is 82.5%, giving a minimum of $21.82 per hour or $829.16 per week. Casual employees get a 25% loading, so the casual rate is $27.28 per hour.

These figures come from the Fair Work Ombudsman’s published junior rates. They apply to national-system employees who are not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement. If you work under a modern award, the award may set a higher rate, and some awards have different junior percentages or adult rates from age 18 or 19. Always check the applicable award first.

How the Junior Percentage Works

The junior percentage for a 19-year-old is 82.5% of the adult national minimum wage. This percentage is set by the Fair Work Commission and applies only to award-free employees. If you are covered by an award, the award’s own junior rates will apply. For example, the Miscellaneous Award, which often covers award-free juniors, uses the same percentages. Apprentices and trainees have their own rates under that award.

Note: The adult national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour. A 19-year-old’s rate is $21.82 per hour. That is a difference of $4.62 per hour. Over a 38-hour week, the junior earns $175.74 less than an adult doing the same job.

Super: The Employer Payment on Top

The super guarantee rate is 12% from 1 July 2026. This is paid by the employer on top of ordinary time earnings. For a 19-year-old earning $21.82 per hour, the employer must contribute an extra $2.62 per hour into a super fund. The total cost to the employer is $24.44 per hour. Super is not deducted from your wage; it is an additional payment. If you are casual, super is paid on the base rate plus the casual loading.

Tax and Medicare: What You Take Home

Your take-home pay after tax depends on your total earnings and your tax file number. For the 2026-27 tax year, the tax-free threshold is $18,200 for residents. For a 19-year-old working full-time at $21.82 per hour, annual earnings are about $43,732 (52 weeks × $829.16). After tax and the 2% Medicare levy (once earnings exceed $30,000), the net weekly take-home is roughly $712.80, assuming no other deductions. This is a rough estimate. Use the ATO’s tax tables for your exact situation. The low-income tax offset may reduce tax for earnings up to $45,000. HELP loans, salary sacrifice, and the Medicare levy surcharge are not included here.

How the Adult National Minimum Wage Compares

The adult national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour. The ABS May 2026 average full-time adult ordinary-time earnings are $2,083.70 per week, which is much higher than the junior floor. A 19-year-old’s award-free rate is only 82.5% of the adult floor, and the average market rate for 19-year-olds may be higher if you have experience or skills. This site does not have a precise market rate for 19-year-old median pay. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains that a modern award or agreement can set a higher rate.

When an Award or Agreement Can Pay More

If you are covered by a modern award, the award rate for a 19-year-old may be higher than $21.82. Some awards have a single adult rate from age 21, but for 19-year-olds, the award may have its own junior percentage or a fixed rate. Enterprise agreements can also set higher rates. The legal minimum is the floor; you can negotiate more.

Important Notes

• These rates apply from 1 July 2026. The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage each year. The Fair Work Ombudsman enforces it.
• The adult weekly national minimum is $1,004.90. Multiplying $26.44 by 38 gives $1,004.72 due to rounding; the published figure is $1,004.90.
• Casual weekly figures on this site are the published casual hourly rate times 38 ordinary hours, with no penalty rates.
• State system employees (some public sector, local government, and WA sole traders) may have different rates under state awards.
• Apprentice and trainee rates for award-free employees follow the Miscellaneous Award, not the junior percentages.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum wage for a 19-year-old in Australia? The legal minimum for an award-free 19-year-old is $21.82 per hour or $829.16 per week. Casual employees get $27.28 per hour. Super is 12% on top.

Does a 19-year-old get the same minimum wage as an adult? No. The adult national minimum is $26.44 per hour. Juniors receive a percentage: 82.5% for 19-year-olds. Awards may have different rates.

Is super included in the minimum wage for a 19-year-old? No. Super is an employer payment on top of ordinary time earnings. For a 19-year-old earning $21.82 per hour, the employer pays an extra 12% super.

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