What if my award rate is lower than the national minimum wage?

From 1 July 2026, the Fair Work Commission has set a backstop: the lowest ongoing classification in any modern award cannot be less than $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week. Introductory rates limited to the first six months cannot be less than $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week. If your award rate appears lower, check the classification and whether you are still in an introductory period. Contact the Fair Work Ombudsman if you believe you are being underpaid.

Do I get superannuation on top of my hourly rate?

Yes. The superannuation guarantee requires your employer to pay an additional 12% of your ordinary time earnings into a super fund. This is on top of your hourly or weekly wage. For example, if you earn $26.44 per hour, your employer must also contribute $3.17 per hour to super. The super payment is not deducted from your pay; it is an extra cost for the employer.

How do I find out which award covers my job?

The Fair Work Ombudsman provides a free Pay and Conditions Tool on its website. You enter your industry and job role, and the tool identifies the correct modern award and shows the minimum pay rates, including penalties and allowances. You can also check the coverage clause (usually clause 4) of the award itself. If you are not covered by any award, the national minimum wage applies.

What's the Salary? A Practical Guide to Checking Your Hourly Rate Against Australia's Minimum Wage

From 1 July 2026, the adult national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, or $33.05 for casuals, but your award or agreement may set a higher rate.

What's the salary you should be paid? Start with the legal minimum

If you have an hourly rate in mind and want to know whether it meets Australia's legal minimum, the first step is to understand which pay floor applies to you. The question "what's the salary" often really means "what's the minimum I can legally be paid?" This guide walks you through the layers: the national minimum wage, award rates, junior and trainee rates, and how your rate compares with averages.

The national minimum wage – the universal floor

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

However, not every worker must receive $26.44 an hour. Juniors, apprentices, trainees, employees on introductory award rates, and those with a disability affecting productivity may be paid less. For award-free juniors, the rates are a percentage of the adult minimum: for example, a 16-year-old gets 47.3% ($12.51 per hour, casual $15.64), while a 20-year-old gets 97.7% ($25.84 per hour, casual $32.30). Apprentice and trainee rates for award-free employees follow the Miscellaneous Award, not the junior percentages.

Award rates – the most common minimum

Most employees are covered by a modern award that sets minimum pay rates for their industry or occupation. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, award minimum wages increased by 4.75%. The Fair Work Commission also introduced a backstop: the lowest ongoing classification in any award cannot fall below the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week. Any introductory rate limited to the first six months of employment cannot be less than $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week.

If you are covered by an award, your minimum wage is the rate in that award, not the national minimum wage. The award rate may be higher. To check your award, use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool or look up the award on the Rate tables page. An enterprise agreement can also set higher rates, but it cannot undercut the relevant award.

Superannuation – an employer payment on top

When discussing pay, remember that superannuation is an extra cost for the employer. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary time earnings. If your hourly rate is $26.44, your employer must also contribute $3.17 per hour to your super fund. This is not deducted from your pay; it is paid on top. The national minimum wage and award rates are gross pay before super.

Comparing your rate with averages

The legal minimum is not the same as what most people earn. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported in May 2026 that full-time adult average ordinary-time earnings were $2,083.70 per week. That is about $54.83 per hour based on a 38-hour week. The average total earnings for all employees (including part-time and casual) was $1,579.20 per week. These averages are useful benchmarks but are not minimums. A negotiated salary can be above the award rate, and many employees earn more than the minimum.

How to check your own rate

Identify your award – Use the Which minimum wage applies guide to see if you are covered by a modern award, an enterprise agreement, or none.
Find the correct classification – Awards have multiple pay levels based on skill and experience. Check the classification that matches your duties.
Compare with the national minimum – If you are award-free, your minimum is the national minimum wage (or a junior/trainee rate if applicable).
Add super – Your employer must pay 12% super on top of your ordinary time earnings.
Consider averages – The ABS figures give context, but they are not a legal requirement.

For more detail on how rates are calculated, see How the figures work. If you need a full list of current award rates, visit the Rate tables page.

What about a negotiated salary?

A negotiated salary is whatever you and your employer agree to, provided it is at least the minimum under the award or the national minimum wage. Many professionals, managers, and contractors earn well above the minimum. The Fair Work Act does not cap how much you can earn, but it does set a high income threshold ($190,100 from 1 July 2026) above which some award protections no longer apply.

Key takeaways

The legal minimum for most adult award-free employees is $26.44 per hour ($33.05 casual) from 1 July 2026.
Award rates are higher in many industries and cannot fall below the national minimum backstop.
Juniors, apprentices, and trainees have lower minimum rates.
Superannuation of 12% is paid by the employer on top.
The ABS average full-time weekly earnings ($2,083.70) is a benchmark, not a minimum.

If you are unsure about your pay, the Fair Work Ombudsman provides free advice and tools. This site offers Guides to help you understand your entitlements.