Melbourne Minimum Wage and the National Full-Time Average
If you are paid the minimum wage in Melbourne, you are earning the national minimum wage set by Fair Work. From 1 July 2026, that rate is $26.44 an hour, $1,004.90 a week, or about $52,255 a year on a 38-hour week. Award minimums rose by 4.75% on the same date.
Where the Minimum Wage Sits Against the Line
The site’s line is the national full-time adult ordinary-time average: $2,083.70 a week, or $108,352 a year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). The minimum wage is just under half that figure. For Victoria, the state full-time average is $106,137, also roughly double the minimum wage.
Medians and Other Benchmarks
The ABS Employee Earnings survey (August 2025) gives a full-time median of $90,532 and an all-employees median of $74,100. The men’s full-time average is $113,412; women’s is $100,594. All these figures are significantly above the minimum wage.
Tax on the Minimum Wage
In 2026–27, a single resident earning the minimum wage of $52,255 pays no tax on the first $18,200, then 15% on the next $26,800 (up to $45,000), and 30% on the remaining $7,255. The Medicare levy adds 2%. The after-tax income is roughly $42,500–$43,000 a year. The ATO sets these rates.
How the Figures Are Set
The national minimum wage is reviewed annually by the Fair Work Commission. The ABS publishes Average Weekly Earnings twice a year (May and November). The site uses the May 2026 release for the line. Medians come from the ABS Employee Earnings survey, which is less frequent. Place a salary on the line to see how any wage compares. For state-by-state averages, see States and territories.
What This Means for Melbourne Workers
Melbourne’s cost of living is higher than many other parts of Australia, but the minimum wage is a national floor. Many workers in Melbourne are covered by awards or enterprise agreements that pay above the minimum. The site’s line is the national full-time average, not a Melbourne-specific figure. If you want to compare your pay to the Victorian average, the state figure is $106,137. The all-employees median of $74,100 is another useful benchmark, especially if you work part-time or casually.
Key Takeaways
- The national minimum wage ($52,255 a year) is about 48% of the national full-time average ($108,352).
- The Victorian full-time average ($106,137) is also roughly double the minimum wage.
- The full-time median ($90,532) and all-employees median ($74,100) are both well above the minimum.
- Tax on the minimum wage is modest, but living costs in Melbourne mean the take-home pay may be tight.
For more guidance on how salaries are measured, see About this site. The site does not provide financial advice; always check with a qualified professional for your personal situation.