What is minimum wage for a 15 year old in Australia?

What is minimum wage for a 15 year old?

If you are asking what is minimum wage for a 15 year old in Australia, the answer depends on whether you are covered by a modern award, an enterprise agreement, or are award-free. For award-free employees (those not under any award or agreement), the Fair Work Commission sets a junior percentage of the adult national minimum wage. From 1 July 2026, the adult national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week. A 15-year-old (under 16) receives 36.8% of that rate, which works out to $9.73 per hour for permanent employees and $12.16 per hour for casual employees (including the 25% casual loading). Super guarantee of 12% is paid on top of these ordinary time earnings.

Legal minimum vs other pay floors

It is important to separate the legal minimum from other types of pay. The junior minimum wage is the absolute floor for award-free 15-year-olds. However, many 15-year-olds work under a modern award (such as the Fast Food Industry Award or the General Retail Industry Award), which may set a higher minimum rate. Enterprise agreements can also provide better pay. There is no survey average or market rate for 15-year-olds in the reference used here, so a precise market rate is not available. The only guaranteed figure is the legal minimum.

How the junior rate compares

The junior percentage for under-16s (36.8%) is the lowest age-based percentage. For comparison, a 16-year-old gets 47.3% ($12.51/h permanent), a 17-year-old gets 57.8% ($15.29/h), and so on up to 21 and over receiving 100% ($26.44/h). These percentages apply only to award-free employees. If you are covered by an award, the award may have its own junior rates, which are often higher.

Superannuation and tax

Employers must pay super guarantee of 12% on top of the ordinary time earnings for a 15-year-old. This is not deducted from the wage; it is an additional payment into a super fund. For tax, a 15-year-old with total earnings below the tax-free threshold ($18,200 in 2026-27) may not need to pay income tax, but they still need to lodge a tax return if tax was withheld. Medicare levy of 2% applies once annualised ordinary gross income reaches $30,000.

When a higher rate applies

A modern award or enterprise agreement can require a higher rate than the national minimum. For example, the Fast Food Industry Award has specific junior rates that may be above the award-free percentages. Always check Which minimum wage applies to see if you are covered by an award. If you are an apprentice or trainee, the Miscellaneous Award sets different rates, not the junior percentages.

Casual loading and penalties

Casual employees receive a 25% loading on the permanent rate. This loading is meant to compensate for lack of paid leave and other entitlements. Penalty rates (e.g., for weekend or late-night work) are separate and may apply under an award. For award-free employees, there are no penalty rates beyond the casual loading.

Summary

For a 15-year-old award-free employee, the legal minimum wage is $9.73 per hour (permanent) or $12.16 per hour (casual), plus 12% super. If you work under an award or agreement, the rate may be higher. For more details, see the Rate tables for junior percentages and award rates. This information is for orientation only and is not a pay determination or legal advice.

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