Do I have to pay superannuation for a 15-year-old employee?

Yes, if the employee earns $450 or more in a calendar month (from 1 July 2022 the $450 threshold is removed for most, but check current rules). The super guarantee rate is 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. For a 15-year-old earning $9.73 per hour, the employer must contribute an additional 12% of those earnings into a super fund. This applies even for casual employees, though casual loading does not attract super.

Minimum wage Victoria 15 year old: legal floor and how to check your rate

Q: What is the minimum wage for a 15-year-old in Victoria?

For a 15-year-old who is award-free and not covered by an enterprise agreement, the national minimum wage applies at a junior percentage. For under 16, the rate is 36.8% of the adult national minimum, which from 1 July 2026 is $9.73 per hour (ordinary) or $12.16 per hour casual. If the teenager is covered by a modern award (common in retail, hospitality, or fast food), the award's junior rate applies and is often higher. Always check the applicable award or agreement first.

Q: Can a 15-year-old be paid less than the adult minimum wage?

Yes, under the national system, junior employees (under 21) can be paid a percentage of the adult minimum wage if they are award-free. For a 15-year-old (under 16), the percentage is 36.8%, resulting in $9.73 per hour. However, if a modern award or enterprise agreement covers the employee, it may set a different (usually higher) junior rate. The adult minimum wage of $26.44 per hour applies only to employees 21 and over, or those covered by an award that specifies adult rates for younger workers.

The legal minimum for an award-free 15-year-old in Victoria is $9.73 per hour (ordinary) or $12.16 per hour casual, with 12% super on top.

Minimum wage Victoria 15 year old: what you need to know

If you are a 15-year-old working in Victoria or an employer hiring one, the first question is: which pay floor applies? The answer depends on whether the employee is covered by a modern award, an enterprise agreement, or is award-free. This guide explains the legal minimum for a 15-year-old in Victoria and how to compare your rate against it.

The legal minimum for award-free 15-year-olds

For national-system employees in Victoria (most private-sector workers), the Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces it. From 1 July 2026, the adult national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week. However, junior employees receive a percentage of that rate. For a 15-year-old (under 16), the percentage is 36.8%, giving:

Ordinary hourly rate: $9.73
Casual hourly rate (includes 25% loading): $12.16

These rates apply to award-free employees who are not covered by any modern award or enterprise agreement. The employer must also pay superannuation guarantee of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings (not on casual loading). So the total employment cost for an ordinary hour is $9.73 plus $1.17 super = $10.90.

How does this compare with other pay types?

It is important to separate the legal minimum from other figures:

Award rates: Most 15-year-olds in Victoria work in retail, fast food, hospitality, or administration. These industries have modern awards (e.g., General Retail Industry Award, Fast Food Industry Award) that set higher junior rates than the award-free floor. For example, the Retail Award has its own junior percentages that are often above 36.8%. You must check the specific award that covers the job.
Enterprise agreements: A workplace may have a registered agreement that sets pay and conditions. The agreement rate must be at least the relevant award rate or the national minimum, whichever is higher.
Survey averages: The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports average weekly earnings for full-time adults, but these are not relevant for a 15-year-old. The ABS May 2026 figure for full-time adult ordinary-time earnings is $2,083.70 per week, which is far above any junior rate.
Negotiated salaries: An employer and employee can agree on a salary above the minimum, but it cannot be below the legal floor or the applicable award/agreement rate.

How to check your rate

Find out if a modern award covers the job. Use the Fair Work Ombudsman's online tools or Which minimum wage applies to identify the correct award.
Look up the award's junior rates. Awards have a classification structure and junior pay scales. For a 15-year-old, the award may specify a percentage of the adult rate for that classification.
If no award applies, the national minimum wage junior percentage is your floor. Use the Rate tables on this site to see the current figures.
Compare your pay slip. Your hourly rate (ordinary time) should not be below the applicable minimum. If you are casual, the casual loading is already included in the hourly rate shown on your pay slip.

Important notes

The adult national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour does not apply to a 15-year-old unless they are covered by an award that sets an adult rate for that age (unlikely).
Apprentice and trainee rates for award-free employees follow the Miscellaneous Award, not the junior percentages. A 15-year-old could be an apprentice in some trades, but that is rare.
State public sector and local government employees in Victoria may be covered by state awards, but most private-sector employees are in the national system.
The figures on this page are from the Fair Work Commission's 2026-27 determination. They are not a pay determination or legal advice. Always consult the Fair Work Ombudsman for your specific situation.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum wage for a 15-year-old in Victoria? For an award-free 15-year-old, the minimum is $9.73 per hour ordinary or $12.16 casual. If covered by an award, the award's junior rate applies.

Do I have to pay super for a 15-year-old employee? Yes, if the employee earns $450 or more in a month (threshold removed from 1 July 2022 for most, but check). Super is 12% on ordinary time earnings.

Can a 15-year-old be paid less than the adult minimum wage? Yes, junior employees under 21 can be paid a percentage of the adult minimum if award-free. The adult rate applies from age 21, or earlier if an award says so.

Need more help?

Visit our Guides for step-by-step instructions on finding your award rate. For a full list of junior percentages and historical rates, see the How the figures work page.