Minimum Salary in Australia: Hourly, Weekly, and Yearly Rates
When people ask about the minimum salary in Australia, they usually want to know the lowest legal pay an employer can offer. That figure is set by the Fair Work Commission each year and applies to employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. For 2026–27, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, which translates to $1,004.90 per week and about $52,255 per year for a full-time worker on a 38-hour week. This page breaks down that pay into the three units our tool uses: year, week, and hour.
The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026
Fair Work’s National Minimum Wage Order 2026 took effect on 1 July 2026. The hourly rate of $26.44 applies to all employees not covered by an award or enterprise agreement. For a standard 38-hour week, the weekly minimum is $1,004.90. Multiplying by 52 weeks gives an annual salary of approximately $52,255 before tax. This is the legal floor – no employer can pay less for ordinary hours of work.
Award minimum wages, which cover most industries and occupations, rose by 4.75% in the same review. Many award rates are higher than the national minimum wage. For example, a retail employee or a hospitality worker may be entitled to a higher base rate plus penalties and allowances. You can check your specific award using Fair Work’s Pay and Conditions Tool.
How the Minimum Salary Compares to the Full-Time Average
The national minimum wage is far below the typical full-time salary. According to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year. That’s more than double the minimum wage. The full-time median (the middle point of all full-time earnings) was about $90,532 per year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). So the minimum wage sits at roughly 48% of the average and 58% of the median.
Men’s full-time average ordinary-time earnings were about $113,412 per year, while women’s were about $100,594 per year. The minimum wage applies equally regardless of gender, but the gap between the minimum and average earnings is larger for men.
Reading the Same Pay as a Year, a Week, and an Hour
Our on-site tool lets you enter a yearly salary and see it as a weekly and hourly figure (based on a 38-hour week). For the minimum salary:
- Yearly: $52,255
- Weekly: $1,004.90
- Hourly: $26.44
These figures are before tax. The Australian Tax Office’s 2026–27 tax rates start at nil for income up to $18,200, then 15% up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, 37% up to $190,000, and 45% above that. The Medicare levy of 2% also applies unless you qualify for a reduction. A worker on the minimum wage would pay little tax after the tax-free threshold and low marginal rates.
State and Territory Differences
While the national minimum wage is the same across Australia, the cost of living and average earnings vary by state. The ABS publishes full-time average ordinary-time earnings for each state and territory. For example, the ACT has the highest average at about $119,090 per year, while Tasmania has the lowest at about $96,008. The minimum wage is a national floor, but in higher-cost states like New South Wales ($109,658 average) or Western Australia ($115,825), the minimum may stretch less far. States and territories shows how your location affects typical pay.
Award Minimums and Enterprise Agreements
Most employees in Australia are covered by an award or enterprise agreement that sets a minimum wage higher than the national minimum. For instance, the General Retail Industry Award has different pay levels for different classifications. The Fair Work Commission’s 2026 Annual Wage Review increased award minimums by 4.75%, meaning many award rates are now above $26.44 per hour. If you are covered by an award, your minimum pay is the award rate, not the national minimum wage. Enterprise agreements can also set higher rates.
The Role of the ABS and Fair Work
Our site uses the ABS Average Weekly Earnings (May 2026) as the benchmark for the full-time average. The Fair Work Ombudsman and Fair Work Commission are the authorities for minimum wage rates. We do not invent figures; we rely on these official sources. For more detail on how we calculate the line and compare salaries, see How the figures are set.
Why the Minimum Salary Matters
Understanding the minimum salary helps you know your legal entitlements and see where your pay sits relative to the lowest legal rate. If you earn the minimum, you are at the floor. Most full-time workers earn more, but the minimum wage provides a safety net. It also influences award rates and can affect bargaining for higher pay.
For a broader look at how different jobs compare, see Job medians or Industry medians. You can also Place a salary on the line to see how your own pay compares to the national full-time average.
Summary
The minimum salary in Australia for 2026–27 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 per year. This is the legal minimum for employees not covered by an award or agreement. It is significantly lower than the full-time average of $108,352 and the median of $90,532. Award minimums are higher for most workers. Use our tool to see your own pay in year, week, and hour units, and compare it to the national line.