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What's the Minimum Wage in Australia? Gross Pay, Super and Tax Explained
Find out the current national minimum wage in Australia, including gross pay, super guarantee, and tax. See how it compares to the national average using the Salary Index.
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, annualised $52,255, giving an index of 48.2 against full-time adult ordinary-time earnings.
What is the minimum wage in Australia?
The national minimum wage in Australia from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or $52,255 per year. This is the legal floor set by the Fair Work Commission for employees who aren’t covered by a modern award or registered agreement. On the Salary Index, where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352, the national minimum wage sits at index 48.2. That means it’s just under half the national average.
Most Australian workers are covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement that pays more than the national minimum wage. The entry-level award floor is $25.74 per hour, but award rates vary by industry and classification. For example, the Retail Trade industry index is 75.9, while Accommodation and Food Services is 72.5. Both are well above the minimum wage floor.
Gross pay: what you earn before tax and super
Your gross pay is the amount you earn before tax and super. For a full-time employee on the national minimum wage, that’s $26.44 per hour. A standard 38-hour week gives you $1,004.90 per week. Over 52 weeks, that’s $52,255 per year. If you work casual, you also get a casual loading of $33.05 per hour (25% loading on $26.44). Casual loading is $33.05 per hour, which brings the weekly to $1,256.10 and annual to $65,317.
Super guarantee: the extra 12% on top
From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary-time earnings. That means your employer must pay an extra 12% of your gross pay into your super fund. On the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour, that’s an extra $3.17 per hour in super. So total remuneration is $29.61 per hour. Super is not part of your take-home pay – it goes to your super fund for retirement.
The super guarantee applies to most employees over 18, or under 18 if they work more than 30 hours a week. The maximum contribution base is $270,830 per year. For a minimum wage earner, your super is about $6,270 per year. That’s on top of your gross pay.
Tax: what you pay on minimum wage
Resident tax rates for 2026-27 are progressive. For a full-year minimum wage earner earning $52,255:
- Nil on the first $18,200
- 15% on the next $26,800 ($4,020)
- 30% on the remaining $7,255 ($2,176.50)
Total tax = $6,196.50. Then add the Medicare levy of 2% on all taxable income: $1,045.10. Total tax and Medicare = $7,241.60. Your take-home pay is about $45,013.40 per year, or $865.64 per week. That’s a resident estimate using the tax-free threshold and flat 2% Medicare levy. It ignores HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, the Medicare levy reduction, and the Medicare levy surcharge.
Junior rates and award floors
If you’re under 21, the national minimum wage is lower. Junior hourly rates from 1 July 2026:
- 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 adult national minimum wage multiplied by the percentages used in National Minimum Wage Orders. A modern award can set a different junior rate, often higher.
How the minimum wage compares across states and industries
The national minimum wage is the same across all states, but average earnings differ. For example, Western Australia has an index of 106.9 ($115,825 annualised), while Tasmania is 88.6 ($96,008). That means a minimum wage earner in WA earns about 45% of the state average, while in Tasmania it’s about 54% of the state average. See states for more.
Industries also vary widely. Mining has an index of 154.7, while Accommodation and Food Services is 72.5. A minimum wage earner in hospitality is close to the industry average, but in mining they’d be far below. Check industries for details.
Understanding the Salary Index
The Salary Index compares any gross pay to the national line of full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. To find your index, divide your yearly gross by $108,352 and multiply by 100. For the national minimum wage, $52,255 ÷ $108,352 × 100 = 48.2. That’s your index. Learn more at how the index works.
What this means for you
The national minimum wage is a safety net. Most employees earn more under an award or agreement. If you’re on the minimum wage, your gross pay is $52,255, your super is about $6,270, and your take-home after tax and Medicare is around $45,013. Always check your award or pay guide for your correct rate. Use pay guides to find your industry’s minimum.
FAQs
What is the current national minimum wage in Australia?
From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or $52,255 per year. This is the legal minimum for employees not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement.
How much super do I get on minimum wage?
Your employer must pay 12% super on top of your gross pay. On $26.44 per hour, that’s an extra $3.17 per hour. For a full-time year, that’s about $6,270 in super contributions.
What is the take-home pay after tax on minimum wage?
For a full-year minimum wage earner ($52,255) in 2026-27, tax and Medicare levy total about $7,241. Take-home pay is roughly $45,013 per year, or $865.64 per week. This is a resident estimate with the tax-free threshold and flat 2% Medicare levy.