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Minimum wage for an 18-year-old in Australia: awards versus the national minimum wage
Find out the minimum wage for an 18-year-old in Australia, including the national minimum wage rate, how awards can pay more, and where it sits on the salary index.
The national minimum wage for an 18-year-old is $18.06 per hour, giving an estimated salary index of around 33, but most 18-year-olds are covered by awards that may pay more.
What is the minimum wage for an 18-year-old?
The minimum wage for an 18-year-old in Australia depends on whether they are covered by the national minimum wage or a modern award. As of July 2026, the national minimum wage for an 18-year-old is $18.06 per hour. This rate is set by the Fair Work Ombudsman as a percentage of the adult national minimum wage ($26.44 per hour). For an 18-year-old working full-time (38 hours per week), that works out to about $686 per week before tax, or roughly $35,700 per year.
How the salary index applies
The Salary Index measures gross yearly earnings against the national line, where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings ($108,352 per year as of May 2026). For an 18-year-old on the national minimum wage, the index is around 33 – well below the national average. This reflects that junior rates are designed as a starting point, not a living wage for an experienced worker.
Awards often pay more
Most 18-year-olds are employed under a modern award, not the national minimum wage. Awards set minimum pay rates for specific industries and occupations, and they often include higher junior rates than the national minimum. For example, the Retail Award and Hospitality Award have their own junior pay scales. An 18-year-old working in retail might earn $20–$22 per hour under the award, depending on their classification. The pay guides on the Fair Work Ombudsman website list these rates.
The national minimum wage versus awards
The national minimum wage is the legal floor – no employer can pay less. But awards are the more common benchmark for most employees. If an award covers your job, the award rate applies, even if it is higher than the national minimum wage. For 18-year-olds, award junior rates are usually a percentage of the adult award rate, which itself is often above the national minimum. This means many 18-year-olds earn more than $18.06 per hour.
State differences
Your location also matters. The states page shows that average earnings vary across Australia – for instance, Western Australia has an index of 106.9, while Tasmania is 88.6. However, the national minimum wage and award rates are set federally, so the base pay for an 18-year-old is the same regardless of state. Cost of living and average wages in your state can affect how far that pay goes.
Tax and super
From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% on top of your gross pay. For an 18-year-old earning $35,700, that adds about $4,284 in super contributions each year. Tax is minimal: with the tax-free threshold of $18,200, you pay 15% on the next $17,500, plus the 2% Medicare levy. Take-home pay after tax and Medicare is roughly $32,000 per year, or about $615 per week. These figures ignore HELP repayments or salary sacrifice.
How junior rates are set
The national minimum wage for juniors is calculated using percentages from the National Minimum Wage Order. For 18-year-olds, the percentage is about 68% of the adult rate. Awards use their own percentages, which can be higher. For example, the Hospitality Award might set the junior rate for an 18-year-old at 80% of the adult award rate. Always check the specific award for your job.
What if there is no award?
If no award covers your job, the national minimum wage applies. That means $18.06 per hour for an 18-year-old. But most industries have awards – from retail and hospitality to administration and trades. The topics page can help you find the right award.
Key takeaway
The minimum wage for an 18-year-old is $18.06 per hour under the national minimum, but awards often set higher rates. Use the Salary Index to compare any pay offer against the national line, and always check your award or agreement for the correct rate.
Questions people ask
What is the minimum wage for an 18-year-old in Australia?
As of July 2026, the national minimum wage for an 18-year-old is $18.06 per hour. This is based on the adult national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour multiplied by the junior percentage set in National Minimum Wage Orders. However, most 18-year-olds are covered by a modern award, which may set a higher junior rate. Always check the relevant award on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.
Do 18-year-olds get the same minimum wage as adults?
No. The adult national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, while the junior rate for an 18-year-old is $18.06 per hour. Awards can have different junior percentages, often resulting in a higher rate than the national minimum wage for juniors, but still less than the adult rate in most cases.
How does the minimum wage for an 18-year-old compare to the national average?
The national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings are about $108,352 per year (index 100). An 18-year-old working full-time at the national minimum wage earns about $35,700 per year, giving a salary index of around 33. Many 18-year-olds earn more under awards, but the figure remains well below the national average.