What is the national minimum wage for 2026?

The adult national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week for a 38‑hour week, and $33.05 per hour for casuals (including the 25% casual loading). These rates are set by the Fair Work Commission and apply to award‑free and agreement‑free national‑system employees.

How does the 2026 national minimum wage compare to average earnings?

According to the ABS May 2026 release, full‑time adult ordinary‑time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week, while all employees averaged $1,579.20 per week. The national minimum wage of $1,004.90 per week is about 48% of the full‑time average and 64% of the all‑employees average.

Does the national minimum wage apply to all workers?

No. The national minimum wage applies to national‑system employees who are not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement. Many workers are covered by awards that set higher minimum rates. Juniors, apprentices, trainees, and supported‑wage employees may receive less than the adult rate. State‑system employees in some sectors may have different minimums.

National Minimum Wage 2026: Rates, Comparisons and What You Need to Know

From 1 July 2026, the adult national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week, with casual loading to $33.05 per hour.

Understanding the national minimum wage 2026

The national minimum wage 2026 is the legal pay floor for award‑free and agreement‑free employees in the national system. 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 ordinary week. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, bringing the casual hourly rate to $33.05.

How it differs from other pay benchmarks

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

Legal minimum: The national minimum wage set by the Fair Work Commission. This is the lowest amount an award‑free adult employee can be paid.
Award minimum: Modern awards contain classification‑specific minimum rates. The lowest ongoing award classification cannot fall below the national minimum, but most award rates are higher. From 1 July 2026, award rates rise by 4.75%, but the backstop remains the national minimum.
Survey average: The ABS May 2026 survey reported full‑time adult ordinary‑time earnings of $2,083.70 per week. This average includes overtime, bonuses, and higher‑paid roles. It is not a minimum.
Negotiated salary: Enterprise agreements or individual contracts can set rates above the minimum, but they cannot undercut the national minimum or applicable award.

Super guarantee is on top

Employers must pay the super guarantee on top of ordinary time earnings. From 1 July 2026, the super rate is 12%. For an adult employee earning the national minimum wage of $1,004.90 per week, the employer must contribute an additional $120.59 per week into a complying super fund. This is not deducted from the employee’s wage.

Who is covered and who may receive less

The national minimum wage applies to national‑system employees who are award‑free and not covered by an enterprise agreement. Most private‑sector employees are in the national system. Some state public sector and local government employees, and some Western Australian sole traders and partnerships, are covered by state awards instead.

Certain employees may legally be paid less than the adult national minimum:

Junior employees (award‑free): Percentages of the adult rate apply by age. For example, a 16‑year‑old receives 47.3% ($12.51 per hour), a 17‑year‑old 57.8% ($15.29), and a 20‑year‑old 97.7% ($25.84). Casual juniors get the loading on top.
Apprentices and trainees: Award‑free apprentices and trainees follow the Miscellaneous Award rates, not the junior percentages.
Supported wages: Employees with disability may have a supported wage assessment that sets a lower rate.
Introductory award rates: Some awards have an introductory rate for the first six months of employment, which cannot fall below $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week from 1 July 2026.

How to check your correct minimum

If you are covered by a modern award, the award rate is your minimum. If you are award‑free, the national minimum wage applies. Enterprise agreements can set higher rates but must pass the better‑off‑overall test. For guidance on which pay floor applies, see Which minimum wage applies and Rate tables.

Practical example

An award‑free adult employee working 38 ordinary hours per week at the national minimum wage:

Ordinary pay: $1,004.90 per week
Super guarantee (12%): $120.59 per week
Total employer cost: $1,125.49 per week

If the same employee works casually, they receive $33.05 per hour ($1,255.90 per week) plus super. No penalty rates apply unless an award or agreement provides them.

Important notes

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces it.
This site provides orientation only. It is not a pay determination, tax advice, or legal advice.
For tax, the 2026‑27 resident rates with the full tax‑free threshold apply. Medicare levy is estimated at 2% once annualised ordinary gross exceeds $30,000. This model leaves out the low income tax offset, HELP, salary sacrifice, and the Medicare levy surcharge.

For more detail on how figures are compiled, see How the figures work.