What is the minimum wage in Australia? State and industry differences explained

What is the minimum wage in Australia?

The minimum wage in Australia is the legal floor for pay. From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or $52,255 per year. That puts it at index 48.2 on the Salary Index, meaning it is about half the full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352. But the question "what is minimum wage" isn't just one number – it changes with your age, your industry, and where you live.

The national line and the index

The Salary Index uses 100 as the national line – that's the average full-time adult ordinary-time earnings from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The minimum wage is 48.2, so it's well below average. For context, a full-time worker on the minimum earns $52,255 a year. Compare that to the national line of $108,352. The index helps you see where any pay figure sits against that line.

State differences

Even though the national minimum wage is the same everywhere, average earnings vary by state. The index for each state shows how far above or below the national line that state's average sits. For example:

• Western Australia index 106.9 – average earnings $115,825
• Australian Capital Territory index 109.9 – $119,090
• New South Wales index 101.2 – $109,658
• Victoria index 98 – $106,137
• Queensland index 97.9 – $106,064
• South Australia index 94.6 – $102,450
• Northern Territory index 95.2 – $103,173
• Tasmania index 88.6 – $96,008

So in Western Australia, the minimum wage is a smaller slice of the state average than in Tasmania. But the minimum itself doesn't change – it's still $52,255. If you're looking at a job offer, check the states page to see how typical pay in that state compares.

Industry differences

Industries also have very different average earnings. The minimum wage is the same across all industries, but award rates and enterprise agreements often pay more. Here are some industry indices:

• Mining index 154.7 – average $167,600
• Professional, scientific and technical index 114.7 – $124,300
• Education and training index 105.5 – $114,300
• Health care and social assistance index 97.8 – $106,000
• Retail trade index 75.9 – $82,200
• Accommodation and food services index 72.5 – $78,600

If you work in retail or hospitality, your award rate might be close to the minimum, but many awards have higher classifications. The national minimum wage is the safety net – your actual pay could be more. Check the industries page for more details.

Awards and the minimum wage

Most Australian employees are covered by a modern award. Awards set minimum pay rates for each classification, and those rates are often higher than the national minimum wage. From 1 July 2026, award minima rose by 4.75%. The entry-level award floor is $25.74 per hour – slightly below the national minimum of $26.44. That means if your award classification pays less than the national minimum, you must be paid the national minimum instead. Always check your award or agreement.

Junior rates

If you're under 21, you may be paid a junior percentage of the adult minimum wage. The national minimum wage order sets these percentages, but awards can have different junior rates. The current junior hourly rates based on the adult minimum are:

• Under 16: $9.73
• 16 years: $12.51
• 17 years: $15.28
• 18 years: $18.06
• 19 years: $21.81
• 20 years: $25.83

These are the national minimum junior rates. If your award specifies a different rate, that rate applies as long as it's not less than the national minimum for your age.

Casual loading and super

Casual employees get a 25% loading on the minimum wage, making it $33.05 per hour. Superannuation is 12% from 1 July 2026, paid on top of your gross wages. The maximum super contribution base is $270,830. So on the minimum wage, your employer would add $6,270.60 in super each year.

Tax and take-home pay

Resident tax for 2026–27 (excluding Medicare) is:

• $0 to $18,200: nil
• $18,201 to $45,000: 15%
• $45,001 to $135,000: 30%
• $135,001 to $190,000: 37%
• Over $190,000: 45%

Plus a 2% Medicare levy. For a full-time worker on the minimum wage ($52,255), the tax estimate (with tax-free threshold and Medicare) is roughly $6,000–$7,000, leaving about $45,000–$46,000 take-home. This ignores HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, or the Medicare levy surcharge.

How to use the index

The Salary Index is a simple tool: take your yearly gross pay, divide by the national line ($108,352), and multiply by 100. That's your index number. For the minimum wage, it's 48.2. You can compare any job offer or current salary to the national average. See how the index works for more.

Final thoughts

The minimum wage is a floor, not a target. Most workers earn more, especially in high-paying states like WA or industries like mining. If you're on the minimum, check your award – you might be entitled to more. And remember, the national minimum wage is reviewed each year by the Fair Work Commission. The figures here are from 1 July 2026. For the latest, always refer to the Fair Work Ombudsman or the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

For more on pay comparisons, visit our topics page.