Minimum Wage Australia Yearly: How Your State and Industry Compare

What Is the Minimum Wage Australia Yearly?

The minimum wage australia yearly is the annualised amount a full-time adult employee earns when paid the national minimum wage. From 1 July 2026, that figure is $52,255 – based on $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week. This is the legal floor set by the Fair Work Ombudsman after the Annual Wage Review. It applies to employees who are not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement.

To put that number in perspective, the Salary Index uses a national line of 100, which equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). The national minimum wage sits at an index of 48.2 – meaning it is just under half of the national benchmark.

State Differences in the Minimum Wage

While the dollar amount of the minimum wage is the same everywhere in Australia, its relative value changes depending on where you live. That’s because average earnings vary significantly from state to state. The states page shows each state’s index against the national line:

• ACT – index 109.9 ($119,090 annualised)
• WA – index 106.9 ($115,825)
• NSW – index 101.2 ($109,658)
• VIC – index 98 ($106,137)
• QLD – index 97.9 ($106,064)
• NT – index 95.2 ($103,173)
• SA – index 94.6 ($102,450)
• TAS – index 88.6 ($96,008)

Because the minimum wage is fixed at $52,255, its index relative to each state’s average is different. For example, in Tasmania (state index 88.6) the minimum wage is about 54% of the state average, whereas in Western Australia (state index 106.9) it is only about 45% of the state average. This means the minimum wage goes further in lower-earning states when compared to local living costs, though housing and other expenses also play a role.

Industry Differences and Award Coverage

The national minimum wage is a single rate, but most workers are covered by a modern award that sets a higher minimum for their occupation or industry. The industries page shows how average earnings vary by sector:

• Mining – index 154.7
• Professional, scientific and technical – index 114.7
• Education and training – index 105.5
• Health care and social assistance – index 97.8
• Retail trade – index 75.9
• Accommodation and food services – index 72.5

If you work in retail, the industry average is well below the national line, so the minimum wage is a larger share of typical earnings in that sector. In mining, the average is much higher, so the minimum wage is a smaller fraction. However, award rates in retail and hospitality often exceed the national minimum wage. For example, the General Retail Industry Award sets a higher rate for a Level 1 adult employee. The entry-level award floor from 1 July 2026 is $25.74 per hour – slightly below the national minimum wage – but most classifications pay more.

What Affects Your Take-Home Pay?

The minimum wage australia yearly figure of $52,255 is gross, before tax and superannuation. Your take-home pay depends on:

• Income tax: For 2026-27, a resident earning $52,255 pays no tax on the first $18,200, then 15% on the next $26,800, and 30% on the remainder up to $45,000. The total tax is roughly $5,000–$6,000, plus the 2% Medicare levy.
• Superannuation: Your employer must pay an additional 12% super guarantee on top of your ordinary time earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. So your total employment cost is higher than your gross wage.
• Award conditions: If you work under an award, you may get penalty rates, overtime, or allowances that increase your weekly pay.
• Casual loading: Casual employees get a 25% loading on the minimum wage, making it $33.05 per hour. That adds about $6,000 to the annual figure, but casuals don’t get paid leave.

How the Index Helps You Compare

The how the index works page explains that the Salary Index converts any yearly gross pay into a number out of 100. For the minimum wage, the index is 48.2. That means if you earn the minimum wage, you are earning 48.2% of the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. You can use this index to compare any job offer or salary against the national line, regardless of state or industry.

For example, a retail worker earning the industry average of $82,000 (index 75.9) is well above the minimum wage but still below the national line. A miner earning $167,000 (index 154.7) is far above both.

Key Takeaways

• The minimum wage australia yearly is $52,255 as of 1 July 2026.
• Its index is 48.2, meaning it is less than half the national average.
• State differences in average earnings mean the minimum wage has a different relative value in each state.
• Industry averages vary widely; the minimum wage is a larger share of earnings in low-paying industries like retail and hospitality.
• Most workers are covered by awards that pay more than the national minimum wage.
• Superannuation and tax affect your take-home pay, but the index is based on gross ordinary-time earnings.

For more detail on how your pay compares, see the pay guides and topics sections.