Minimum hourly wage Australia: How it compares to the national average ### How the national minimum wage sits against the full-time average The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. That works out to about $52,255 a year before tax. The full-time adult ordinary-time average from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026 is $2,083.70 a week, about $108,352 a year. That is the site's line. The minimum is far below the average. Most employees are covered by an award or enterprise agreement, and those rates are higher than the national minimum. Award minimums rose 4.75% from 1 July 2026. The lowest rate in any award that applies to ongoing employment must be at least $26.44 per hour. Some awards have entry-level rates that apply to the first six months of employment must be at least $25.74 per hour. Casual employees entitled to the national minimum wage must receive at least $33.33 per hour, which includes the 25% casual loading. That is $1,666.50 per week, about $86,658 a year. ### What moves pay above or below the average If you are on the national minimum wage, your pay is below the full-time average. To move above the average, you need to be on a higher classification under an award, a registered agreement, or a salary above the award rate. Overtime, penalties, and allowances can also lift weekly earnings above the average. If you are on an award, the minimum pay rates in that award apply. The Fair Work Pay and Conditions Tool can calculate the minimum pay rates, penalties and allowances that apply for your award. ### Medians and averages The full-time median from the ABS Employee earnings, August 2025 is about $90,532 a year. The all-employees median is about $74,100. The national minimum wage is below both medians. Men's full-time ordinary-time average is about $113,412. Women's is about $100,594. The minimum wage is below both. ### State full-time averages 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. The national minimum wage is below all state averages. ### Tax on the minimum wage Resident tax 2026–27: nil to $18,200; 15% to $45,000; 30% to $135,000; 37% to $190,000; 45% above that. Medicare levy 2% before reductions. On the minimum wage of about $52,255, tax would be about $5,092 plus Medicare levy $1,045, total $6,137, leaving about $46,118. ### How the figures are set The ABS Average Weekly Earnings is published twice a year, for May and November. The national minimum wage is set by the Fair Work Commission each year, effective 1 July. Award minimums are also reviewed annually. [Place a salary on the line](/line) to see where your pay sits against the national full-time average. [How the figures are set](/data) explains the sources and methods. ### FAQs What is the minimum hourly wage in Australia? The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. Casual employees must get at least $33.05 per hour including casual loading. How does the minimum wage compare to the average full-time wage? The national minimum wage of about $52,255 per year is well below the full-time adult average of about $108,352 per year. Most employees are covered by awards or agreements that pay more than the minimum. What can move my pay above the minimum wage? Being covered by an award or enterprise agreement, working overtime, receiving penalties or allowances, or being in a higher classification can move your pay above the minimum. The Fair Work Pay Calculator can help you check the correct rate.

The national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week) is well below the full-time adult average of $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year). Most employees are covered by awards or agreements that set higher rates.

This sits on the Australian full-time average.

Week, hour, and a tax sketch

$2,084 a week · $54.83 an hour if spread over 38 hours

About $83,159 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

Minimum hourly wage Australia: How it compares to the national average

How the national minimum wage sits against the full-time average

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. That works out to about $52,255 a year before tax. The full-time adult ordinary-time average from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026 is $2,083.70 a week, about $108,352 a year. That is the site's line.

The minimum is far below the average. Most employees are covered by an award or enterprise agreement, and those rates are higher than the national minimum. Award minimums rose 4.75% from 1 July 2026. The lowest rate in any award that applies to ongoing employment must be at least $26.44 per hour. Some awards have entry-level rates that apply to the first six months of employment, which must be at least $25.74 per hour.

Casual employees entitled to the national minimum wage must receive at least $33.05 per hour, which includes the 25% casual loading. That is $1,666.50 per week, about $86,658 a year.

What moves pay above or below the average

If you are on the national minimum wage, your pay is below the full-time average. To move above the average, you need to be on a higher classification under an award, a registered agreement, or a salary above the award rate. Overtime, penalties, and allowances can also lift weekly earnings above the average.

If you are on an award, the minimum pay rates in that award apply. The Fair Work Pay and Conditions Tool can calculate the minimum pay rates, penalties and allowances that apply for your award.

Medians and averages

The full-time median from the ABS Employee earnings, August 2025 is about $90,532 a year. The all-employees median is about $74,100. The national minimum wage is below both medians.

Men's full-time ordinary-time average is about $113,412. Women's is about $100,594. The minimum wage is below both.

State full-time averages

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. The national minimum wage is below all state averages.

Tax on the minimum wage

Resident tax 2026–27: nil to $18,200; 15% to $45,000; 30% to $135,000; 37% to $190,000; 45% above that. Medicare levy 2% before reductions. On the minimum wage of about $52,255, tax would be about $5,092 plus Medicare levy $1,045, total $6,137, leaving about $46,118.

How the figures are set

The ABS Average Weekly Earnings is published twice a year, for May and November. The national minimum wage is set by the Fair Work Commission each year, effective 1 July. Award minimums are also reviewed annually.

Place a salary on the line to see where your pay sits against the national full-time average.

How the figures are set explains the sources and methods.

Questions

What is the minimum hourly wage in Australia?

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. Casual employees must get at least $33.05 per hour including casual loading.

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

The national minimum wage of about $52,255 per year is well below the full-time adult average of about $108,352 per year. Most employees are covered by awards or agreements that pay more than the minimum.

What can move my pay above the minimum wage?

Being covered by an award or enterprise agreement, working overtime, receiving penalties or allowances, or being in a higher classification can move your pay above the minimum. The Fair Work Pay Calculator can help you check the correct rate.