What is the aus minimum wage 2026? $26.44 per hour, $52,255 annually

What is the aus minimum wage 2026?

The aus minimum wage 2026 is the legal floor for pay in Australia, set by the Fair Work Commission. From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or $52,255 per year (gross). This figure sits at an index of 48.2 on the Salary Index – meaning it is just under half the national line of 100, which represents full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352.

Gross pay and the national line

Your gross pay is the amount before tax and super. For a full-time worker on the minimum wage, that’s $52,255 a year. The index compares your gross to the national average: divide your annual gross by $108,352 and multiply by 100. A minimum wage earner’s index is 48.2. By contrast, the average worker in mining has an index of 154.7, while someone in accommodation and food services has an index of 72.5 – still above the minimum but well below the national line.

Superannuation on top

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rises to 12%. This is paid by your employer on top of your gross wage. On $52,255, that’s an extra $6,270.60 going into your super fund each year. The super is not included in your take-home pay, but it’s part of your total remuneration. The maximum contribution base for super is $270,830, so the minimum wage is well under that cap.

Tax and take-home pay

Using the 2026–27 resident tax rates (excluding Medicare), the tax on $52,255 is:

• Nil on the first $18,200
• 15% on the next $26,800 ($4,020)
• 30% on the remaining $7,255 ($2,176.50)
• Total tax: $6,196.50
• Plus Medicare levy (2%): $1,045.10
• Total deductions: $7,241.60

That leaves a take-home pay of about $45,013 per year, or $865 per week. This is a rough estimate – it ignores HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, the Medicare levy reduction, and the Medicare levy surcharge. Your actual take-home may differ.

Casual loading and junior rates

If you’re a casual employee, you get a 25% loading on the base rate. That makes the casual minimum wage $33.05 per hour. The loading is meant to compensate for not receiving paid leave.

Junior rates apply to workers under 21. The national minimum wage order sets percentages of the adult rate:

• Under 16: $9.73/hr
• 16 years: $12.51/hr
• 17 years: $15.28/hr
• 18 years: $18.06/hr
• 19 years: $21.81/hr
• 20 years: $25.83/hr

These are the national minimum junior rates. A modern award may set a different (usually higher) junior rate, so always check the relevant award.

Awards and the entry-level floor

Most employees are covered by a modern award, which sets minimum pay rates for a specific industry or occupation. The entry-level award floor from 1 July 2026 is $25.74 per hour – slightly below the national minimum wage. Award rates rose by 4.75% from 1 July 2026. If your award rate is lower than the national minimum wage, you must be paid the national minimum instead. Many awards pay significantly more, especially in skilled roles.

How the minimum wage compares across states and industries

The national minimum wage is the same everywhere, but average earnings vary. For example, the ACT has an index of 109.9 (average $119,090), while Tasmania is 88.6 ($96,008). A minimum wage earner in Tasmania is closer to the state average than one in the ACT. Industry also matters: retail trade averages an index of 75.9, while professional services is 114.7. The minimum wage is a floor, not a reflection of what most workers earn.

Key points to remember

• The aus minimum wage 2026 is $26.44/hr, $1,004.90/week, $52,255/year (index 48.2).
• Casual loading adds 25% ($33.05/hr).
• Super is 12% on top of gross.
• Tax and Medicare take about $7,242, leaving ~$45,013 take-home.
• Junior rates are lower; award rates are often higher.
• The index helps you see where your pay sits against the national line.

For more detail on how the index is calculated, see how the index works. You can also explore pay guides for award-specific rates or compare states and industries to see where your pay fits.

A note on uncertainty

If you’re looking for a specific role or employer figure not covered here, it’s uncertain. The national minimum wage is a benchmark, not a job offer. Always check your award or enterprise agreement for the exact rate that applies to you.