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Aus minimum wage 2026: How it compares to the national full-time average

The national minimum wage of $52,255 per year is well below the full-time average of $108,352, but award rates and enterprise agreements can lift pay closer to or above the average.

This sits $56,097 under the Australian full-time average, about 51.8% below the line. The closest full-time state average is Tasmania. It is off the left edge of the ruler. This close-up only covers full-time state averages.

Week, hour, and a tax sketch

$1,005 a week · $26.44 an hour if spread over 38 hours

About $45,013 after resident income tax and a 2% Medicare levy.

2026–27 resident rates and a 2% Medicare levy. Not a tax assessment.Open the full line

How the aus minimum wage sits against the national average

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, $1004.9 a week, about $52,255 a year on 38 hours. That is well below the national full-time average of $108,352 a year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). The site's line is $108,352 a year. The full-time median is $90,532 (ABS Employee earnings, August 2025). All-employees median is $74,100. Minimum wage earners are below all these.

What would move pay above or below the average. Award minimums rose 4.75% from 1 July 2026. Many workers are covered by awards that set higher rates for their industry or occupation. For example, the average for a retail award may be higher than the minimum. Enterprise agreements can also set higher rates. The national full-time average is $108,352. State averages also vary: New South Wales full-time average about $109,658; Victoria about $106,137; Queensland about $106,064; South Australia about $102,450; Western Australia about $115,825; Tasmania about $96,008; Northern Territory about $103,173; Australian Capital Territory about $119,090. These state averages are from the same source. The ACT is $119,090. The highest is $115,825. The lowest is $96,008. The minimum wage is below all state averages except Tasmania. The $96,008 is below the minimum wage? Actually $96,008 is below $52,255? No, $96,008 is above $52,255. So minimum wage is below all state averages. But the national full-time average is $108,352. The minimum wage is $52,255. So it's below all state averages.

Role of part-time and full-time

The minimum wage is based on 38 hours. Many part-time workers earn less than the full-time average. Part-time workers may earn less than the full-time average. But the all-employees median is $74,100. The minimum wage is $52,255. So part-time workers may be below the all-employees median. But full-time workers on minimum wage are below the full-time median.

How to see your pay on the line

Place a salary on the line to see how your pay compares to the national full-time average. You can also explore states and territories to see how your state average compares. Job medians and industry medians provide more context. Guides explain how the figures are set. How the figures are set details the methodology. About this site provides background.

Summary

The aus minimum wage is $52,255 a year, well below the national full-time average of $108,352. Award rates, enterprise agreements, and state differences can lift pay above the minimum. The median full-time is $90,532, and the all-employees median is $74,100. The minimum wage is below all these benchmarks.

Questions

What is the current Australian minimum wage?

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1004.9 per week, or about $52,255 per year based on a 38-hour week. This rate is set by Fair Work and applies to employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. Award minimums rose by 4.75% from the same date.

How does the minimum wage compare to the full-time average?

The national minimum wage of about $52,255 per year is roughly half the national full-time average of $108,352 (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). The full-time median is $90,532, and the all-employees median is $74,100. Minimum wage earners are well below all these benchmarks.

What factors can move a worker's pay above the minimum wage?

Pay rises above the minimum wage through award classifications, enterprise agreements, or enterprise agreements. Award rates often set higher rates for specific industries. State averages also vary by state, with the highest full-time averages in the ACT at $119,090 and Western Australia at $115,825. Job and industry medians also lift pay.

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