17 year old minimum wage: national rate vs award rates in Australia

What is the 17 year old minimum wage in Australia?

The 17 year old minimum wage under the national system is $15.28 per hour, effective from 1 July 2026. This rate is set by the Fair Work Ombudsman through the National Minimum Wage Order. It is calculated by multiplying the adult national minimum wage ($26.44 per hour) by the junior percentage for 17-year-olds (approximately 57.8%).

Most 17-year-olds in Australia are employed under a modern award, not the national minimum wage alone. Awards cover specific industries and occupations, and they often have their own junior rates. For example, the General Retail Industry Award or the Hospitality Industry Award set junior rates as a percentage of the adult award rate. These percentages can differ from the national order, so the actual minimum pay for a 17-year-old may be higher or lower than $15.28, depending on the award.

How the salary index applies to the 17 year old minimum wage

The Salary Index measures gross annual earnings against the national line of 100, which represents full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year (based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). For a 17-year-old working full-time (38 hours per week, 52 weeks) at the national junior rate, annual gross pay is about $30,193. That gives an index of roughly 27.9 — well below the national line.

This low index is expected because junior rates are designed for younger workers who typically have less experience and work fewer hours. The index for a 17-year-old under an award could be different if the award pays a higher or lower junior rate. For comparison, the adult national minimum wage itself has an index of 48.2, and the average full-time adult worker earns an index of 100.

National minimum wage vs award rates for 17-year-olds

The national minimum wage is the legal floor. No employer can pay less than this, regardless of the award. However, modern awards often set higher minimum rates for adult employees, and for juniors they set a percentage of the adult award rate. For a 17-year-old, the award junior rate might be, say, 60% of the adult award rate, which could be higher than 57.8% of the national minimum wage. In that case, the award rate applies.

Conversely, some awards have junior percentages lower than the national order. For example, if an award sets a 50% junior rate for 17-year-olds, and the adult award rate is only slightly above the national minimum, the resulting junior rate could be below $15.28. Then the national minimum wage would override it. The key principle is that the higher of the two rates must be paid.

It is important to check the specific award that covers the job. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides for each award, which list junior rates by age. Without knowing the award, it is uncertain what the exact minimum is for a 17-year-old in a particular role.

State differences and the 17 year old minimum wage

The national minimum wage applies across all states and territories under the national workplace relations system. However, some states have their own state-based awards for certain employees not covered by the national system. For most private sector workers, the national system applies. The states page on Salary Index shows average adult earnings by state, but these are not directly relevant to junior rates. A 17-year-old in Western Australia, for instance, might be covered by a state award if the employer is not a national system employer, but that is rare.

Tax, super, and take-home pay for a 17-year-old

At the national junior rate of $15.28 per hour, a full-time 17-year-old earns about $30,193 per year. Under the 2026–27 resident tax rates, the first $18,200 is tax-free. The next $11,993 (up to $30,193) is taxed at 15%, giving a tax of about $1,799. The Medicare levy of 2% adds $604, so total tax is around $2,403. Take-home pay would be roughly $27,790 per year, or $534 per week.

Superannuation guarantee of 12% applies if the employee earns $450 or more in a month. For a full-time 17-year-old, super would be about $3,623 per year, paid by the employer on top of wages. This is not deducted from the take-home amount.

Why the 17 year old minimum wage matters

Understanding the 17 year old minimum wage helps young workers and their employers know the legal minimum. But because awards often set different rates, it is essential to check the relevant award. The industries page shows average adult earnings by sector, but junior rates in retail (index 75.9) or hospitality (index 72.5) are typically lower than adult averages. For a 17-year-old in retail, the award junior rate might be around $14–$16 per hour depending on the award classification.

If you are a 17-year-old starting a job, ask your employer which award applies and what the junior rate is. You can also use the Fair Work Ombudsman's online tools or check topics on junior wages. Remember, the national minimum wage is the safety net, but awards often provide a better deal.

FAQs about the 17 year old minimum wage

We have answered common questions below. For more detail, see the Salary Index or the how the index works page.