In force from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026
Rate tables
These national rates apply to national-system employees who are award-free and agreement-free. Most private-sector employees are in the national system. Some state public sector and local government employees, and some Western Australian sole traders and partnerships in the state system, are covered by state awards instead. A modern award or enterprise agreement can require a higher rate than the national minimum. Apprentice and trainee rates for award-free employees follow the Miscellaneous Award, not the junior percentages.
| Situation | Hourly | 38-hour week |
|---|---|---|
| Award-free adult | $26.44 | $1,004.90 |
| Award-free casual adult | $33.05 | $1,255.90 |
| Award introductory backstop | $25.74 | $978.10 |
| Award ongoing backstop | $26.44 | $1,004.90 |
| Super on the adult minimum week | 12% on top | $120.59 |
Fifty-two adult minimum weeks come to $52,254.80 before tax. That is not a salary guarantee. Casual weeks assume 38 ordinary hours and no weekend or public-holiday penalties.
Junior percentages
| Age | Share of adult rate | Hourly | Casual hourly | 38-hour week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 16 | 36.8% | $9.73 | $12.16 | $369.74 |
| 16 | 47.3% | $12.51 | $15.64 | $475.38 |
| 17 | 57.8% | $15.29 | $19.11 | $581.02 |
| 18 | 68.3% | $18.06 | $22.58 | $686.28 |
| 19 | 82.5% | $21.82 | $27.28 | $829.16 |
| 20 | 97.7% | $25.84 | $32.30 | $981.92 |
| 21 and over | 100% | $26.44 | $33.05 | $1,004.90 |
Casual hourly rates include 25% loading. The adult week shows the published $1,004.90, which is 18 cents above 38 × $26.44. Other weeks are the hourly rate × 38.
Apprentice and trainee rates for award-free employees follow the Miscellaneous Award. They are not this table.
Where the minimum week sits
- National minimum week$1,004.90
- All employees, average total week$1,579.20
- Full-time adult ordinary-time week$2,083.70
Survey bars are ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026, seasonally adjusted. The minimum bar is the Fair Work adult national minimum week. Part-time hours pull the all-employees average down. Neither average is a rate you can demand.
Since 2023
- 1 July 2023$23.23$882.80
- 1 July 2024$24.10$915.90
- 1 July 2025$24.95$948.00
- 1 July 2026$26.44$1,004.90