Does Victoria have its own minimum wage?

No, Victoria does not have a separate state minimum wage. Most Victorian employees are covered by the national system, and the Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage. Some state public sector and local government workers may be under Victorian state awards, but the national minimum still acts as a backstop.

What about juniors in Victoria?

Junior rates apply as a percentage of the adult national minimum wage. For award-free employees in Victoria, the rates from 1 July 2026 are: under 16 $9.73/h, 16 $12.51/h, 17 $15.29/h, 18 $18.06/h, 19 $21.82/h, 20 $25.84/h. Casual juniors get a 25% loading on top. If a modern award covers the job, the award's junior rates apply instead.

Do I get super on top of the minimum wage?

Yes. Employers must pay the super guarantee of 12% on ordinary time earnings, on top of the minimum wage or any higher award or agreement rate. This is not deducted from your pay; it is an additional contribution to your super fund.

What is minimum wage in Victoria? The national floor and what it means for you

The national minimum wage in Victoria is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week) for adult employees not covered by an award or agreement, with super of 12% on top.

What is minimum wage in Victoria?

When you search "what is minimum wage in Victoria", the answer is not a separate state rate. Victoria is part of the national workplace relations system, so the national minimum wage set by the Fair Work Commission applies to most employees in the state. 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, making the casual rate $33.05 per hour.

How the legal minimum differs from other figures

It is important to separate the legal minimum from other numbers you might see. The national minimum wage is the floor set by the Fair Work Commission. It applies only to employees who are not covered by a modern award or an enterprise agreement. Most workers in Victoria are actually covered by a modern award, which sets a higher minimum rate for their industry or occupation. For example, the Hospitality Award or the Retail Award have their own minimum rates that are above the national minimum. An enterprise agreement can also set a higher rate.

The ABS average weekly earnings are a different measure. In May 2026, the ABS reported full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week and all employees average total earnings of $1,579.20 per week. These averages are much higher than the minimum because they include overtime, bonuses, and higher-paid roles. They are not a pay floor.

Who gets the national minimum wage?

You receive the national minimum wage if:

You are an adult (21 or over)
You are not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement
You are not a junior, apprentice, trainee, or supported employee

If you are under 21 and award-free, the junior percentages apply. For example, a 17-year-old gets 57.8% of the adult rate, which is $15.29 per hour. Apprentices and trainees have their own rates under the Miscellaneous Award.

Super is on top

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee of 12% on your ordinary time earnings. This is paid on top of your hourly or weekly wage, not taken out of it. So if you earn $26.44 per hour, your employer also contributes $3.17 per hour to your super fund.

When an award or agreement can set a higher rate

If you are covered by a modern award, the minimum wage in that award is your legal minimum. The award rate is often higher than the national minimum. For example, a Level 1 retail employee might get $27.50 per hour under the award. An enterprise agreement can also set a higher rate. Always check your award or agreement first. The national minimum is only a backstop.

State public sector and local government

Some Victorian public sector employees and local government workers may be covered by state awards rather than the national system. In those cases, the state award sets the minimum. However, the national minimum still acts as a safety net – no one can be paid less than $26.44 per hour unless a junior, apprentice, or other lawful exception applies.

How the rate compares with other figures

The national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour is about 27% of the ABS full-time adult average ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week. It is also worth noting that the Fair Work Commission increased the minimum by 4.75% from 1 July 2026. Modern award minimums also rose by 4.75%, but the lowest ongoing classification cannot fall below the national minimum.

For more detail on which pay floor applies to you, see our Which minimum wage applies guide. You can also browse Rate tables for award and junior rates.

Common misunderstandings

A frequent mistake is thinking the national minimum wage applies to everyone. In reality, most employees are on award rates that are higher. Another confusion is between the minimum wage and a living wage – the national minimum is a legal floor, not a measure of what is needed to live comfortably. The ABS average earnings give a better idea of typical pay.

Summary

To answer "what is minimum wage in Victoria": the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour applies to most Victorian workers who are award-free and agreement-free. If you are on an award, your minimum is likely higher. Super is paid on top. Juniors, apprentices, and trainees have lower rates. Always check your specific situation with the Fair Work Ombudsman or a workplace advisor.

For further reading, see our Guides on understanding pay slips and entitlements.