Minimum wage Australia 19 year old: what it pays on the salary index

What is the minimum wage for a 19-year-old in Australia?

The minimum wage australia 19 year old figure is set by the Fair Work Ombudsman as part of the National Minimum Wage Order. From 1 July 2026, the hourly rate is $21.81. This is a junior rate – a percentage of the adult national minimum wage ($26.44 per hour). The percentage for 19-year-olds is roughly 82.5% of the adult rate, reflecting the assumption that younger workers may have less experience or need training.

But the national minimum is only a safety net. Most 19-year-olds are covered by a modern award – for example, in retail, hospitality, or fast food – and those awards often set higher junior rates or even the full adult rate for certain roles. The award rate depends on the classification and the industry.

Where does the 19-year-old minimum wage sit on the salary index?

The Salary Index measures gross yearly pay against the national line of 100 – full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). The adult national minimum wage has an index of 48.2. For a 19-year-old working full-time (38 hours a week) on the junior national minimum, the annual pay is about $43,100, giving an index of roughly 40.

That means a 19-year-old on the bare minimum earns about 40% of what the average full-time adult earns. It’s a low starting point, but many young workers quickly move above it through award rates, experience, or promotions.

How junior rates are calculated

The Fair Work Ombudsman sets junior percentages each year. For 19-year-olds, the percentage is 82.5% of the adult national minimum wage. That’s how we get $21.81 from $26.44. The percentages for other ages are: under 16 ($9.73), 16 ($12.51), 17 ($15.28), 18 ($18.06), 20 ($25.83). At 21, the adult rate applies.

But modern awards can use different percentages. For example, the General Retail Industry Award 2020 sets a 19-year-old rate at 80% of the adult award rate (which is often higher than the national minimum). Always check the specific award.

Take-home pay and the salary index

If a 19-year-old earns the national minimum wage of $21.81 per hour full-time, their gross annual pay is about $43,100. After tax (using 2026–27 rates) and the 2% Medicare levy, take-home pay is roughly $36,000. That’s about $693 per week.

On the how the index works page, you’ll see that the index uses gross ordinary-time earnings – not take-home. So the index of 40 compares gross pay to the national benchmark. Super guarantee (12%) is paid on top, but it’s not counted in the index.

State and industry differences

The national line of 100 is an average. Some states and industries sit well above or below it. For example, Western Australia has an index of 106.9, while Tasmania is 88.6. A 19-year-old in WA might earn more if the state’s higher average pulls up award rates, but the junior national minimum is the same everywhere.

In industries, mining pays an index of 154.7, while retail is 75.9 and accommodation and food services is 72.5. A 19-year-old working in a café (hospitality award) might earn a junior rate that’s still below the industry average, but the award itself often pays above the national minimum.

When the junior rate doesn’t apply

Not all 19-year-olds get the junior rate. If a modern award says the adult rate applies from a younger age, or if the employer chooses to pay above the award, the pay can be higher. Also, casual employees get a 25% loading – so a 19-year-old casual on the national minimum would earn $27.26 per hour, which lifts their index to about 50.

Some employers pay the adult rate to all workers regardless of age. That’s allowed, as long as it’s at least the minimum. The pay guides on this site explain how to check award coverage.

Tax and super for 19-year-olds

A 19-year-old earning $43,100 falls into the 15% tax bracket (after the tax-free threshold of $18,200). The tax on that income is roughly $3,735 plus Medicare levy of $862, leaving about $36,000. Super guarantee at 12% adds $5,172 to their super account each year – that’s on top of the wage, not deducted from it.

If the 19-year-old is a casual, the loading is part of their ordinary-time earnings, so it’s included in the gross pay used for the index. The index doesn’t adjust for casual loading – it just compares gross pay to the national line.

Summary

The minimum wage australia 19 year old of $21.81 per hour gives an index of about 40 – well below the national average. But it’s a floor, not a ceiling. Most young workers earn more under an award or through employer discretion. To see where your pay sits, use the Salary Index and compare your gross annual earnings to the national line of 100.

For more detail on how junior rates work across different awards, check the topics page. And remember, the Fair Work Ombudsman has free resources to check your exact pay rate.