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Minimum wage Australia 14-year-old: $9.73 per hour under the national minimum wage
The minimum wage for a 14-year-old in Australia is $9.73 per hour under the national minimum wage, but awards can set different rates. Learn how junior pay compares to the national
The junior national minimum wage for a 14-year-old is $9.73 per hour, which on a full-time annualised basis would place the index around 18, but actual earnings vary widely and most 14-year-olds work part-time.
What is the minimum wage in Australia for a 14-year-old?
The minimum wage for a 14-year-old in Australia is **$9.73 per hour under the National Minimum Wage Order. This is the legal floor set by the Fair Work Ombudsman. This rate is for employees under 16 and is based on a percentage of the adult national minimum wage. The adult national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, index 48.2. The junior rate is about 36.8% of the adult rate. This rate is the absolute minimum; many employers pay more under a modern award or an enterprise agreement.
Awards versus the national minimum wage for 14-year-olds
The national minimum wage is the baseline, but most 14-year-olds work in industries like retail, hospitality, or fast food. These industries have modern awards that set their own junior rates. For example, the General Retail Industry Award has junior rates that are often higher than the national minimum wage. The Hospitality Industry Award also sets junior rates based on age and experience. If a 14-year-old works under an award, they must be paid at least the award rate, which may be $10.50 per hour or more.
How the salary index compares
The Salary Index measures yearly gross earnings against the national line of 100, which is full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year. For a 14-year-old working full-time at the junior rate of $9.73 per hour, annualised earnings would be about $19,230, giving an index around 18. However, most 14-year-olds work part-time, so a direct index comparison is not meaningful. The index is designed for full-time adult workers, not junior part-time employees.
Junior rates under the national minimum wage
The Fair Work Ombudsman sets junior percentages for each age group. For under 16, the rate is $9.73 per hour. For 16 years, it's $12.51; for 17 years, $15.28; for 18 years, $18.06; for 19 years, $21.81; for 20 years, $25.83. These rates apply unless a modern award or enterprise agreement says otherwise. The junior rate increases with age until the employee turns 21, when the adult rate applies.
Super and tax for 14-year-olds
From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% on all earnings, with no $450 monthly threshold. So a 14-year-old earning $9.73 per hour will have super paid on top of their wages. For tax, the tax-free threshold is $18,200 for 2026–27. If a 14-year-old earns less than that in a year, they pay no income tax or Medicare levy. Most 14-year-olds working part-time will be below this threshold, so their take-home pay is their gross wage.
State differences
State indices for full-time adult earnings vary, but these do not directly affect junior rates. For example, New South Wales has an index of 101.2, while Tasmania is 88.6. However, junior rates are set nationally by the Fair Work Ombudsman or by awards that apply across Australia. State-based awards are rare; most modern awards are national.
How to check the correct rate
If you are a 14-year-old or an employer, you should check the relevant modern award for your industry. The pay guides on the Fair Work Ombudsman website list junior rates for each award. You can also use the how the index works page to understand how earnings compare to the national line. For more topics on junior pay, see our topics section.
Examples of award junior rates
While we cannot give exact figures without a specific award, a 14-year-old working in retail under the General Retail Industry Award might receive a junior rate that is a percentage of the adult retail rate. The adult retail rate is higher than the national minimum wage, so the junior rate is also higher. Similarly, in hospitality, the junior rate under the Hospitality Industry Award is often above $10 per hour for a 14-year-old.
Conclusion
The minimum wage for a 14-year-old in Australia is $9.73 per hour under the national minimum wage, but this is the floor. Most 14-year-olds will be covered by a modern award that pays more. Always check the award for your industry to ensure you are paid correctly. The Salary Index can help you compare earnings to the national average, but for junior part-time work, the index is less relevant.
Questions people ask
What is the minimum wage for a 14-year-old in Australia?
The national minimum wage for a 14-year-old in Australia is $9.73 per hour under the National Minimum Wage Order. However, many modern awards have higher junior rates that may be higher. For example, the General Retail Industry Award or the Hospitality Industry Award set junior rates based on age and experience.
Do awards pay more than the national minimum wage for 14-year-olds?
Yes, many awards set junior rates that are higher than the national minimum wage. For example, the Retail Industry Award has junior rates that can be $10.50 per hour for a 14-year-old. It depends on the award classification.
Does a 14-year-old have to pay tax on their wages?
If a 14-year-old earns under $18,200 per year, they pay no tax. The Medicare levy. The tax-free threshold is $18,200 for 2026–27, so if they earn below that amount, no tax is withheld. Super guarantee applies from first dollar.