Does every worker receive $26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026?

No. The $26.44 rate is the adult national minimum for award-free and agreement-free employees. Juniors, apprentices, trainees, and supported-wage employees can be paid less. Modern awards have their own minimum rates, which may be higher, and enterprise agreements can also set higher rates. Introductory award rates for the first six months are $25.74 per hour.

How is superannuation treated on the minimum wage?

Superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% are paid by the employer on top of ordinary time earnings. For a full-time minimum wage worker earning $1,004.90 per week, the employer must contribute an additional $120.59 into the worker's super fund. This is not deducted from the $1,004.90.

What tax and Medicare will I pay on the minimum wage in 2026-27?

For a full-year worker earning the minimum wage of about $52,255 annually, using 2026-27 resident rates with the full tax-free threshold, the estimated tax is around $6,700 plus Medicare levy of 2% (about $1,045) once income exceeds $30,000. Actual amounts depend on the low-income tax offset, HELP repayments, and salary sacrifice. This site does not provide tax advice.

Minimum Wage Australia 2026: Weekly Pay, Tax, Medicare and Super

From 1 July 2026 the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week) for adult award-free employees, with casual loading to $33.05 per hour.

Minimum wage Australia 2026: what you need to know

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour for adults not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement. That works out to $1,004.90 for a 38-hour week. Casual employees get a 25% loading, bringing the casual rate to $33.05 per hour. These figures are set by the Fair Work Commission and enforced by the Fair Work Ombudsman.

How the weekly packet looks after tax and super

On the minimum wage, your gross weekly pay is $1,004.90. Your employer must also pay 12% superannuation guarantee on top — that’s an extra $120.59 per week into your super fund. It is not taken out of your $1,004.90.

For tax, using 2026-27 resident rates with the full tax-free threshold, a full-year minimum wage earner (about $52,255 annually) would pay roughly $6,700 in income tax plus the Medicare levy of 2% once annualised ordinary gross pay exceeds $30,000. The Medicare levy is about $1,045 for the year. After tax and Medicare, the weekly take-home pay is around $1,004.90 minus about $149 — so roughly $856 per week. This estimate excludes the low-income tax offset, HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, and the Medicare levy surcharge. For a precise calculation, use the ATO’s tax estimator.

Legal minimum vs award rates vs negotiated salaries

The $26.44 floor applies only to award-free and agreement-free national-system employees. Most private-sector workers are covered by a modern award, which sets a higher minimum for that occupation or industry. 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. An introductory award rate for the first six months is $25.74 per hour.

Enterprise agreements can also set rates above the award or national minimum. The ABS May 2026 survey reported full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week — more than double the minimum wage. That average includes many higher-paid roles, so the minimum wage is a safety net, not a typical salary.

Who gets less than $26.44?

Junior workers (under 21) have award-free percentage rates. For example, a 16-year-old gets $12.51 per hour (47.3% of the adult rate), and a 20-year-old gets $25.84 per hour (97.7%). Apprentices and trainees follow the Miscellaneous Award rates. Supported-wage employees may have a productivity-based rate. Modern awards also have junior, apprentice, and disability rates. Always check the applicable award or agreement.

Superannuation: an extra 12% on top

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings. For a full-time minimum wage worker, that’s $120.59 per week paid into the fund. Casual workers also receive super on their ordinary hours, but not on penalty rates unless the award says so. Super is in addition to the wage — it is not deducted from the $1,004.90.

How the national minimum wage has changed

The adult rate has increased over recent years: $23.23 in July 2023, $24.10 in July 2024, $24.95 in July 2025, and now $26.44 from July 2026. The Fair Work Commission reviews the rate annually. The 2026 increase of about 6% reflects the Commission’s decision.

Which minimum wage applies to you?

If you are a national-system employee (most private sector) and not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement, the national minimum wage is your floor. If you are covered by an award, the award rate applies — it may be higher. State public sector and local government employees in some states, and some Western Australian sole traders, may be in the state system with different state awards. For more detail, see Which minimum wage applies.

For a full list of current rates, including junior percentages and award rates, visit Rate tables.

Important notes

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

Always check your award or agreement. If you are unsure, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman or a workplace relations professional.

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