Does Singapore have a minimum wage?

No. Singapore does not have a national minimum wage. The Employment Act does not regulate the amount of salary to be paid; instead, wages are negotiated between employers and employees or their unions. However, for certain sectors (e.g., cleaners, security officers, retail workers) the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) sets minimum salaries. Additionally, if a company hires foreign workers on Work Permits, S Passes, or Employment Passes, local employees must be paid at least the Local Qualifying Salary (LQS).

How does Singapore's system compare to Australia's minimum wage?

Australia has a national minimum wage set by the Fair Work Commission, currently $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026) for award/agreement-free adult employees. Modern awards and enterprise agreements can set higher rates. In contrast, Singapore has no universal floor; only workers in PWM-covered sectors or those in companies employing foreign workers have a legislated minimum. Most other workers rely on market negotiation. Australia also requires employers to pay superannuation guarantee (12% on top of ordinary time earnings), which Singapore does not mandate in the same way.

What is the Local Qualifying Salary (LQS) in Singapore?

The Local Qualifying Salary (LQS) is a minimum monthly salary that employers must pay to local employees (Singapore citizens or permanent residents) if the company hires foreign workers on Work Permits, S Passes, or Employment Passes. The LQS is updated periodically and is separate from the Progressive Wage Model. Employees can check their salary against the LQS using the Ministry of Manpower's Progressive Wage Portal.

Singapore Minimum Wage: No Universal Rate, But Sectoral Progressive Wages Exist

Singapore does not have a universal minimum wage; instead, sector-specific Progressive Wage Models (PWM) set minimum salaries for roles like cleaners and security officers, while the Local Qualifying Salary (LQS) applies to companies hiring foreign workers.

Singapore Minimum Wage: No Universal Floor, But Sectoral Protections

When Australian readers search for "singapore minimum wage", they often expect a single number comparable to Australia's national minimum wage. However, Singapore does not have a universal minimum wage. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) states clearly: "There is no minimum wage or salary in Singapore. The salary to be paid is subject to negotiation and mutual agreement." Instead, Singapore uses a targeted approach through the Progressive Wage Model (PWM) and the Local Qualifying Salary (LQS).

How Singapore's System Works

The PWM sets minimum salaries for specific occupations: cleaners, security officers, landscape maintenance, lift and escalator maintenance, retail workers (including cashiers), food service workers, waste management workers, and administrators or drivers. These minimums vary by job level and are reviewed periodically. Employees in these roles can check their salary against the required minimum via MOM's Progressive Wage Portal.

For companies that employ foreign workers on Work Permits, S Passes, or Employment Passes, local employees (Singapore citizens or permanent residents) must be paid at least the Local Qualifying Salary (LQS). This is a separate requirement from the PWM. If a worker is not covered by either the PWM or LQS, there is no minimum salary—their pay is purely a matter of negotiation.

Comparison with Australia's Minimum Wage Framework

Australia takes a different approach. The Fair Work Commission sets a national minimum wage that applies to all national-system employees who are not covered by an award or agreement. From 1 July 2026, the adult national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 ordinary hours. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, bringing the rate to $33.05 per hour.

Importantly, Australia's system includes lower rates for juniors (under 21), apprentices, trainees, and employees with disability. For example, a 16-year-old award-free junior earns $12.51 per hour (47.3% of the adult rate), while a 20-year-old earns $25.84 per hour (97.7%). Modern awards and enterprise agreements can set higher rates than the national minimum, and the superannuation guarantee (12% from 1 July 2026) is paid on top of ordinary time earnings.

What This Means for Australian Readers

If you are researching "singapore minimum wage" to understand your obligations or rights as an Australian employer or employee working with Singapore, remember that Singapore's system is fundamentally different. There is no single hourly or weekly figure to compare. Instead, you must identify whether the worker falls under a PWM sector or an LQS-covered company. For most other workers, the market rate applies.

For Australian workers, the national minimum wage and modern awards provide a clear floor. You can check your award or agreement using our Which minimum wage applies guide, or view current rates in our Rate tables. If you are award-free and agreement-free, the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (or $33.05 casual) is your legal minimum, subject to age and other allowances.

Key Differences at a Glance

Australia: Universal national minimum wage ($26.44/h), modern awards, enterprise agreements, superannuation guarantee (12%).
Singapore: No universal minimum; PWM for selected sectors; LQS for companies with foreign workers; otherwise market negotiation.

For more detail on how Australia's minimum wage is calculated, see our How the figures work page. If you need guidance on award coverage, visit our Guides section.

Important Notes

The figures above for Australia are based on the National Minimum Wage Order 2026, effective from 1 July 2026.
Singapore's PWM and LQS rates change periodically; check the MOM website for current figures.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Always consult a qualified professional for your specific situation.