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What is the minimum wage in Victoria? National minimum wage and award rates explained
Find the minimum wage in Victoria for 2026: national minimum wage $26.44/hr, award rates, and how Victoria's average earnings compare on the Salary Index.
The national minimum wage sits at index 48.2, while Victoria's full-time average earnings are at index 98, slightly below the national line of 100.
What is the minimum wage in Victoria?
When people search for "minimum wage victoria", they are usually asking about the legal minimum pay rate that applies in the state. The answer is straightforward: Victoria uses the national minimum wage set by the Fair Work Ombudsman. From 1 July 2026, that rate is $26.44 per hour, $1004.90 per week (38 hours), or $52,255 per year. On the Salary Index, that figure sits at 48.2, well below the national line of 100, because the national minimum wage is a floor, not an average.
But the national minimum wage is only the starting point. Most employees in Victoria are covered by a modern award – a legally binding document that sets minimum pay rates, conditions, and entitlements for a specific industry or occupation. Award rates are almost always higher than the national minimum wage. For example, the Retail award and the Hospitality award both have base rates above $26.44 for adult employees. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides that list every rate for every classification in each award.
How Victoria compares on the Salary Index
The Salary Index measures full-time adult ordinary-time earnings against a national benchmark of 100. Victoria’s state index is 98, which annualises to $106,137 – slightly below the national average of $108,352. This means that while the minimum wage is the same everywhere, the typical full-time worker in Victoria earns a little less than the Australian average. For comparison, the states page shows that New South Wales is at 101.2, Western Australia at 106.9, and Tasmania at 88.6.
Awards versus the national minimum wage
The national minimum wage is a safety net. It applies to employees who are not covered by any award or registered agreement. In practice, that is a small minority. Most workers in Victoria fall under a modern award, and their minimum pay is set by that award – not the national minimum wage. Award rates vary widely by industry. For instance:
- Retail trade index: 75.9 (well below the national line, but award rates are still above the national minimum wage)
- Accommodation and food services index: 72.5
- Health care and social assistance index: 97.8
- Professional, scientific and technical index: 114.7
These industry indexes reflect average earnings, not award minima. But they show that even in low-index industries, the award rates are higher than the national minimum wage. The national minimum wage is the absolute floor; awards are the next step up.
Junior rates and casual loading
If you are under 21, the national minimum wage has special junior percentages. For example, a 17-year-old in Victoria must be paid at least $15.28 per hour (the adult rate multiplied by the junior percentage). However, a modern award can set a different junior rate – sometimes higher, sometimes lower. Always check the award.
Casual employees get a loading. For the national minimum wage, the casual rate is $33.05 per hour (adult rate plus 25%). Award casual loadings are often 25% as well, but some awards have different percentages.
Superannuation and tax
From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% on top of your gross pay, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. This applies to both national minimum wage and award employees. Tax is calculated on your gross income. For a full-year worker on the national minimum wage ($52,255), the estimated take-home pay (including the tax-free threshold and 2% Medicare levy) is roughly $44,800 – but this ignores HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, and other adjustments.
How to find your correct minimum wage
If you work in Victoria, your minimum wage depends on:
- Whether you are covered by a modern award (most people are).
- Your classification within that award (e.g., level 1, grade 2).
- Your age (junior rates may apply).
- Your employment type (casual, part-time, full-time).
The Fair Work Ombudsman website has a free tool to find your award and pay rate. You can also check industries for average benchmarks, but those are not legal minimums.
Summary
The minimum wage in Victoria is the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour, but most workers are entitled to more under a modern award. Victoria’s average earnings are slightly below the national line (index 98), but the legal floor is the same as everywhere else. Always verify your award classification to ensure you are paid correctly.
For more detail on how the index is calculated, see how the index works. For a broader view of pay across Australia, visit the topics page.
Questions people ask
What is the minimum wage in Victoria for 2026?
The national minimum wage applies in Victoria. From 1 July 2026 it is $26.44 per hour, $1004.90 per week, or $52,255 per year (index 48.2). Many workers are covered by modern awards that set higher minimum rates, so the actual minimum you must be paid depends on your award and classification.
How does Victoria's average pay compare to the national average?
Victoria's full-time adult ordinary-time earnings are at index 98 on the Salary Index, meaning they are 2% below the national line of 100. The annualised figure is $106,137, compared to the national average of $108,352.
Do awards pay more than the minimum wage in Victoria?
Yes. Modern awards typically set minimum rates above the national minimum wage. For example, the Retail award and Hospitality award have higher base rates for most classifications. Always check the correct award for your industry to ensure you are paid at least the award rate.