What is the current national minimum wage in Australia?

From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. This applies to adult employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual rate $33.05 per hour. These figures are set by the Fair Work Commission and explained by the Fair Work Ombudsman.

How do I know if I'm covered by an award?

Most employees in Australia are covered by a modern award that applies to their industry or occupation. You can check using the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool or by reading the coverage clause in the relevant award. If you are covered by an award, the minimum pay rates in that award (including penalty rates and allowances) apply instead of the national minimum wage. Enterprise agreements can also set higher rates.

Does the minimum wage apply to casual employees?

Yes, but casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum wage. For award-free casuals, the minimum casual rate from 1 July 2026 is $33.05 per hour. If you are covered by an award, the casual loading is usually included in the award rates. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides detailed pay guides for each award.

What's my salary? How to check your hourly rate against Australia's minimum wage

As of 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour for adult award-free employees, but most workers are covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement that sets a higher rate.

What's my salary? A practical check against Australia's pay floor

If you've ever asked yourself "whats my salary" compared to the legal minimum, you're not alone. Knowing whether your hourly rate meets the minimum wage is the first step to understanding your pay. This guide helps you compare your rate to the national minimum, award rates, and average earnings, while explaining what your employer must pay on top.

The legal minimum: the national minimum wage

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage each year. From 1 July 2026, the rate for adult award-free employees is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for 38 ordinary hours. This is the absolute floor for employees not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides tools to check if you are award-free.

However, not every worker receives this rate. Junior employees (under 21), apprentices, trainees, and employees with a disability may be paid a percentage of the national minimum. For example, a 16-year-old award-free junior is entitled to 47.3% of the adult rate, or $12.51 per hour ($15.64 casual). The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes full junior and apprentice rates.

Award rates: higher than the national minimum for most

Most Australian employees are covered by a modern award. Awards set minimum pay rates for specific industries or occupations, and these rates are generally higher than the national minimum. From 1 July 2026, award minimum wages increased by 4.75%, but the lowest ongoing classification in any award cannot fall below the national minimum of $26.44 per hour. Introductory rates (limited to the first six months) cannot fall below $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week.

To find your award rate, use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool or download the relevant pay guide. Your award may also include penalty rates for weekend, evening, or overtime work, which increase your hourly pay further. Rate tables on this site summarise common award classifications.

Enterprise agreements and negotiated salaries

If you are covered by an enterprise agreement, your minimum pay is set by that agreement. The base rate in an agreement cannot be less than the base rate in the relevant award. Some employees negotiate individual salaries above the award or agreement minimum. In that case, your salary must still meet the award minimum when converted to an hourly rate (including any loadings for annualised salaries).

Superannuation: an extra 12% on top

When discussing pay, remember that superannuation is an employer contribution paid on top of your salary. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of your ordinary time earnings. This means if your hourly rate is $26.44, your employer must also contribute $3.17 per hour into your super fund. Super is not deducted from your pay; it is an additional cost to the employer.

Average earnings: a different benchmark

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes average earnings data. In May 2026, 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. These figures are much higher than the minimum wage because they include experienced workers and higher-paid occupations. Comparing your salary to the average can give you a sense of where you sit in the broader labour market, but it is not a legal requirement.

How to check your own hourly rate

To see if your pay meets the legal minimum:

Identify your award or agreement. Use the Fair Work Ombudsman's tools or ask your employer.
Find the minimum hourly rate for your classification in the award or agreement.
Compare your gross hourly rate (before tax) to that minimum. Include any casual loading if you are casual.
Check penalty rates if you work unsocial hours.
Remember super is paid on top.

If you are award-free, compare your rate to the national minimum wage (or the junior/apprentice rate if applicable).

What if your pay is below the minimum?

If your hourly rate is less than the minimum set by your award or the national minimum wage, you may be entitled to back pay. The Fair Work Ombudsman can investigate and enforce minimum wage laws. You can also contact your union or a community legal centre for advice.