What is the minimum wage for a 15 year old? A guide to junior pay rates in Australia

What is the minimum wage for a 15 year old?

If you are 15 and looking for a job in Australia, the minimum wage you can be paid is $9.73 per hour under the national minimum wage order that started on 1 July 2026. This rate applies to employees under 16 years old and is calculated as a percentage of the adult national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour. The percentages are set by the Fair Work Ombudsman in the National Minimum Wage Order.

But the $9.73 figure is not the whole story. Many 15-year-olds work in industries covered by modern awards, such as retail, fast food, or hospitality. Awards often have their own junior wage rates, which can be different from the national minimum. For example, the General Retail Industry Award might set a junior rate that is a percentage of the adult retail rate, which could be higher or lower than $9.73. Always check the award that applies to your job.

How junior rates compare to the national line

The Salary Index uses full-time adult ordinary-time earnings as a benchmark of 100. For the 2026 reference period, that is $108,352 per year. A 15-year-old working full-time (38 hours per week) at $9.73 per hour would earn about $19,226 annually. That gives an index of around 17.7 – far below the national line. Most 15-year-olds work part-time, so their actual index would be even lower.

When you see a job ad, you can use the index to quickly see where the pay sits. For example, a casual retail job offering $12.16 per hour (including casual loading) still gives a low index compared to the national average. But remember, junior rates are designed for entry-level workers with less experience, so a low index is normal.

Awards may set different rates

Modern awards are legal documents that set minimum pay and conditions for specific industries. They often include junior rates that are a percentage of the adult award rate. For instance, the Fast Food Industry Award has junior rates for different ages. A 15-year-old working at a fast food chain might be paid a rate based on that award, not the national minimum wage. To find the right rate, use pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman or check the relevant award on the topics page.

Some awards allow a lower junior rate than the national minimum, but only if the award explicitly says so. In most cases, the award rate will be higher than $9.73. For example, the Hospitality Industry (General) Award has junior rates that start at a higher percentage for 15-year-olds.

Casual loading

If you are employed as a casual, you get a 25% loading on top of your base rate. For a 15-year-old on the national minimum wage, that means $9.73 plus 25% equals $12.16 per hour. This loading is meant to compensate for not receiving paid sick leave or annual leave. Casual loading applies to junior rates as well, so a casual 15-year-old under an award would get the junior award rate plus 25%.

Super and tax considerations

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, and there is no longer a $450 per month threshold. So even if you earn only a few hundred dollars a month, your employer must pay super into a fund. For a 15-year-old earning $9.73 per hour, that adds up over time.

Tax-wise, the tax-free threshold for 2026–27 is $18,200. If you earn less than that in a financial year, you pay no income tax. Most 15-year-olds working part-time will be under this threshold, so no tax is withheld. However, if you earn more, you will pay tax at the marginal rates. The Medicare levy of 2% applies only if your income exceeds a certain amount (around $24,000 for singles), so many juniors won't pay it.

Comparing job offers

When you read a job ad, look for the award classification and whether the role is casual or permanent. Use the how the index works page to understand how to compare pay rates. For example, a job offering $12.16 per hour casual for a 15-year-old might seem low, but it is the legal minimum for that age group under the national wage order. If the job is under an award, the rate could be higher.

You can also compare across states – the cost of living and average wages vary. For instance, the ACT has an index of 109.9, while Tasmania is 88.6. A junior wage in Tasmania might go further than the same wage in the ACT, but the hourly rate is still set by the same national or award rules.

Final thoughts

The minimum wage for a 15-year-old is $9.73 per hour, but always check the award that applies to your job. Use the Salary Index to see how any pay offer compares to the national line. Remember that junior rates are a starting point – as you get older and gain experience, your pay will increase.