Minimum wage Victoria 15 year old: $9.73 per hour under national rules

Minimum wage Victoria 15 year old: what you need to know

If you're a 15-year-old working in Victoria, the minimum wage you can be paid is $9.73 per hour. That's the national junior rate for anyone under 16, set by the Fair Work Commission's National Minimum Wage Order. This rate applies across Australia, including Victoria, because there is no separate state minimum wage. Victoria's overall earnings index sits at 98 (annualised $106,137), which is a touch below the national line of 100 – but that figure is for full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, not for teenagers working part-time.

How the salary index works for a 15-year-old

The Salary Index compares a worker's yearly gross pay to the national benchmark of $108,352 (the full-time adult ordinary-time earnings from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). An index of 100 is exactly that benchmark. For a 15-year-old earning $9.73 per hour, a typical part-time job of, say, 10 hours per week would give an annual gross of about $5,060. That works out to an index of roughly 4.7 – far below 100. That's expected: junior rates are designed for young workers who are often still in school and working limited hours. The index helps you see where your pay sits against the national line, even if you're not a full-time adult.

State differences: Victoria vs the rest

Victoria's state index of 98 is slightly below the national average, but that doesn't directly affect a 15-year-old's minimum wage because the junior rate is set nationally. Other states have different overall earnings levels: for example, Western Australia has an index of 106.9, while Tasmania is at 88.6. But for a 15-year-old, the hourly floor is the same everywhere – $9.73 – unless a modern award or enterprise agreement says otherwise. You can explore more about how states compare on our states page.

Industry differences matter

Where a 15-year-old works can change their pay significantly. The national minimum wage is just the floor; most modern awards set higher rates, including specific junior percentages. For instance, the Retail Trade industry has an index of 75.9 (well below the national line), but the General Retail Industry Award actually pays juniors a percentage of the adult award rate, which is often above $9.73. Similarly, Accommodation and Food Services has an index of 72.5, and the Hospitality Award has its own junior scale. If you're working in a café or a shop, you're likely covered by an award that pays more than the bare minimum. Check our industries page for more on how different sectors compare.

Awards, super, and tax for a 15-year-old

Even at $9.73 per hour, your employer must pay superannuation at 12% (from 1 July 2026) on earnings above $450 in a month. For a part-time 15-year-old, that might not kick in if you earn less than $450 in a month, but once you do, super is compulsory. Tax-wise, if your total annual income is under $18,200, you pay no tax – and you don't need to lodge a tax return unless you have tax withheld. Most 15-year-olds working a few hours a week will be under that threshold. The Medicare levy of 2% also only applies if your income is above the tax-free threshold, so it's unlikely to affect you. For a full explanation of how the index works, see how the index works.

What if you're not covered by an award?

If you're not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement, the national minimum wage applies. For a 15-year-old, that's $9.73 per hour. But many jobs in Victoria – like retail, hospitality, or fast food – are covered by awards. Always check your pay slip and ask your employer which award applies. You can also look up pay guides on our pay guides page.

Example: 15-year-old working in a Victorian retail store

Let's say you work at a clothing store in Melbourne. You're likely covered by the General Retail Industry Award. Under that award, the junior rate for a 15-year-old is a percentage of the adult rate. As of July 2026, the adult rate under the award is higher than the national minimum wage, so your junior rate would be above $9.73. For instance, if the adult rate is $26.44 (the national minimum), the award might set a junior percentage of, say, 40% for a 15-year-old, giving $10.58 per hour. That's better than the national floor. Always check the specific award – don't assume $9.73 is the maximum you can get.

The big picture: Victoria's economy and young workers

Victoria's index of 98 reflects a state economy that is slightly below the national average in terms of full-time adult earnings. But for young workers, the key factor is the industry you're in. Retail and hospitality – common first jobs for 15-year-olds – have low industry indices (75.9 and 72.5 respectively), meaning average pay in those sectors is well below the national line. That's partly because they employ many juniors and part-timers. So while your personal index might be very low as a 15-year-old, it's normal for your age group. As you get older and move into higher-paying industries or full-time work, your index will rise.

Final word

The minimum wage for a 15-year-old in Victoria is $9.73 per hour under national rules, but always check your award. Use the Salary Index to see where your pay sits against the national line – even if you're just starting out. For more on how different industries and states compare, explore our topics page.