Does NSW have its own minimum wage?

No, New South Wales does not have a separate state minimum wage. Most employees in NSW are covered by the national workplace relations system, so the national minimum wage set by the Fair Work Commission applies. The current rate from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for adult employees. Some state public sector and local government employees may be covered by state awards, but those awards typically set rates at or above the national minimum.

What is the minimum wage for juniors in NSW?

For award-free junior employees in NSW, the national minimum wage percentages apply. From 1 July 2026, a 16-year-old receives $12.51 per hour (47.3% of the adult rate), a 17-year-old $15.29 per hour (57.8%), an 18-year-old $18.06 per hour (68.3%), a 19-year-old $21.82 per hour (82.5%), and a 20-year-old $25.84 per hour (97.7%). Casual juniors get a 25% loading on top. If a modern award covers the job, the award's junior rates will apply instead.

How much tax and super will I pay on the minimum wage in NSW?

On the adult national minimum wage of $1,004.90 per week ($52,254.80 annually), your employer must pay 12% superannuation on top of your ordinary time earnings – that's an extra $6,270.58 per year. For tax, using 2026-27 rates with the full tax-free threshold, you would pay approximately $6,617 in income tax plus $1,045 in Medicare levy (once earnings exceed $30,000), leaving about $44,593 after tax. This is an estimate only; your actual tax may differ due to offsets, HELP repayments, or salary sacrifice.

What is the minimum wage in NSW? Legal floor and how it compares

The legal minimum wage in NSW is the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for adults, with lower rates for juniors, apprentices, and trainees.

What is the minimum wage in NSW?

If you're asking what is the minimum wage in NSW, the answer depends on your employment situation. For most employees in New South Wales, the legal minimum is the national minimum wage set by the Fair Work Commission. From 1 July 2026, the adult national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, bringing the casual rate to $33.05 per hour.

This floor applies to award-free and agreement-free employees in the national system, which covers most private-sector workers in NSW. However, a modern award or enterprise agreement can set a higher rate. Always check your award or agreement first.

The legal minimum vs other pay concepts

It's important to separate the legal minimum from other figures. The national minimum wage is the absolute floor. Award rates – set by the Fair Work Commission for specific industries – are typically higher. For example, the lowest ongoing classification in a modern award cannot fall below the national minimum, but many awards start at $25.74 per hour (introductory rate) for the first six months. The ABS May 2026 survey reported average full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week – more than double the minimum. Negotiated salaries can be higher still, depending on the role and employer.

Award and agreement rates in NSW

If you work under a modern award, your minimum wage is set by that award, not the national minimum. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces these awards. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, modern award minimum wages rose by 4.75%, but the lowest ongoing classification cannot sit under $26.44 per hour. Introductory rates for the first six months are capped at $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week. Enterprise agreements can also set higher rates. For more detail, see our Which minimum wage applies guide.

Junior, apprentice, and trainee rates

Not every worker receives the adult minimum. Award-free junior employees in NSW are paid a percentage of the adult rate based on age. For example, a 16-year-old gets $12.51 per hour, a 17-year-old $15.29, and an 18-year-old $18.06. Casual juniors get the 25% loading on top. Apprentices and trainees who are award-free follow the Miscellaneous Award rates, not the junior percentages. Supported wages for employees with disability may also be lower. Always check if a modern award covers you, as award junior rates may differ.

How the minimum wage compares with average earnings

The national minimum wage of $1,004.90 per week is well below the Australian average. The ABS May 2026 survey shows all employees average total earnings of $1,579.20 per week and full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week. This gap reflects that many workers earn above the minimum due to skills, experience, or award rates. The minimum wage is designed as a safety net, not a median.

Super and tax on the minimum wage

Your employer must pay superannuation guarantee of 12% on top of your ordinary time earnings. On the adult minimum wage of $52,254.80 per year, that's an extra $6,270.58 contributed to your super fund. This is not deducted from your pay; it's an employer payment on top.

For tax, using 2026-27 resident rates with the full tax-free threshold, your estimated tax on $52,254.80 is about $6,617, plus Medicare levy of $1,045 (once annualised ordinary gross exceeds $30,000). This leaves approximately $44,593 after tax. This model excludes the low income tax offset, HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, and the Medicare levy surcharge. For a full breakdown, see our Rate tables.

Conclusion

The minimum wage in NSW is the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour for adults, but your actual pay may be higher if an award or agreement applies. Juniors, apprentices, and trainees receive lower rates. Always check your employment instrument and remember that super is paid on top. For more information, visit our Guides section.

Note: This information is for orientation only. It is not a pay determination, tax advice, or legal advice. The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage; the Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces it.