National Minimum Wage Australia 2026: Weekly Pay, Tax & Super Guide

Understanding the national minimum wage Australia 2026 rate

The national minimum wage Australia is the legal pay floor for employees who are not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement. From 1 July 2026, the Fair Work Commission set the adult rate at $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week (based on a 38‑hour ordinary week). This figure applies to national‑system employees who are award‑free and agreement‑free. Most private‑sector workers fall under the national system, though some state public sector and local government employees, and certain Western Australian sole traders and partnerships, are covered by state awards instead.

What the weekly packet looks like after tax and super

The $1,004.90 weekly figure is before tax and before the superannuation guarantee. Your employer must pay an additional 12% super on top of your ordinary time earnings (up to the contribution cap). For a full‑time worker on the national minimum, that means an extra $120.59 per week into your super fund. After tax, using the 2026‑27 resident rates with the full tax‑free threshold and an estimated 2% Medicare levy (once annualised ordinary gross reaches $30,000), a single adult earning exactly the national minimum would take home roughly $830 to $850 per week, depending on the low‑income tax offset phase‑in. This is a rough guide only – your actual take‑home pay depends on your tax file number declaration, HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, and the Medicare levy surcharge if applicable.

Separating the legal minimum from other pay concepts

It is important to distinguish the national minimum wage from other rates:

• Modern award minimums – If your job is covered by a modern award, the award sets a higher minimum wage than the national minimum. For example, the lowest ongoing classification in any award cannot fall below $26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026, but many award rates are higher. An introductory award rate (first six months) is capped at $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week.
• Enterprise agreements – A registered enterprise agreement can set pay rates above the award or national minimum, but never below.
• Junior rates – Award‑free employees under 21 are paid a percentage of the adult national minimum. For instance, a 17‑year‑old receives 57.8% ($15.29 per hour) and a 20‑year‑old receives 97.7% ($25.84 per hour). Casual juniors also get the 25% loading.
• Apprentices and trainees – Award‑free apprentices and trainees follow the Miscellaneous Award, not the junior percentages.
• Supported wages – Employees with a disability may be paid a pro‑rata rate based on productivity, assessed under the Supported Wage System.

How the national minimum wage compares to average earnings

The ABS May 2026 survey shows that full‑time adult ordinary‑time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week, while all employees (including part‑time and casual) averaged $1,579.20 per week. The national minimum wage of $1,004.90 is therefore about 48% of full‑time average earnings and 64% of the all‑employees average. This gap illustrates that the national minimum is a safety net, not a typical wage.

Superannuation: an employer payment on top

When discussing the national minimum wage, remember that the super guarantee is an additional employer cost. From 1 July 2026, the rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings. For a worker on $1,004.90 per week, the employer pays $120.59 into super, making the total employment cost $1,125.49 per week. The super is not part of your take‑home pay but builds your retirement savings.

Which minimum wage applies to you?

If you are unsure whether you are covered by a modern award or an enterprise agreement, start by checking Which minimum wage applies on this site. You can also browse Rate tables for award classifications and junior percentages. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides free resources and a pay calculator to help you determine your correct minimum.

Important notes

• The national minimum wage is set by the Fair Work Commission. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces the law.
• Not every worker must receive $26.44 per hour. Juniors, apprentices, trainees, introductory award rates, and supported wages can be lower.
• A modern award or enterprise agreement can require a higher rate than the national minimum.
• The figures on this page are for orientation only and do not constitute a pay determination, tax advice, or legal advice.

Frequently asked questions

What is the national minimum wage in Australia from 1 July 2026? The adult rate is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for award‑free employees. Casual loading adds 25%, making the casual rate $33.05 per hour. Super guarantee of 12% is paid on top.

Do all workers get the national minimum wage? No. Junior employees (under 21), apprentices, trainees, and supported wage employees may be paid less. Modern awards and enterprise agreements can set higher minimums. The national minimum is the floor for award‑free workers.

How does the national minimum wage compare to average earnings? The national minimum of $1,004.90 per week is about 64% of the ABS all‑employees average ($1,579.20) and 48% of the full‑time adult average ($2,083.70).

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