Minimum wage Aussie: The numbers
For anyone asking "what is the minimum wage in Australia?", the answer from 1 July 2026 is clear. Fair Work sets the national minimum wage at $26.44 per hour. On a standard 38-hour week that works out to $1,004.90 per week. Over a full year (52 weeks) that comes to about $52,255 before tax.
These figures are the legal floor for employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. They apply across the country, from capital cities to regional towns. The rate is reviewed annually by the Fair Work Commission, and the 2026 increase reflects a 4.75% rise in award minimums as well.
How it compares to the national average
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average, as measured by the ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026, is $2,083.70 per week or $108,352 per year. That means the minimum wage sits at roughly 48% of the average. The gap is substantial, but it is important to remember that the average includes many higher-paid professional and managerial roles.
A more relevant comparison may be the full-time median. The ABS Employee Earnings survey for August 2025 puts the full-time median at $90,532 per year. The minimum wage is about 58% of that median. The all-employees median (including part-time and casual) is $74,100 per year.
If you want to see where your own salary sits against these benchmarks, you can place a salary on the line and see the distance from the full-time average.
The minimum wage in context
Understanding the minimum wage means looking at it three ways: as an hourly rate, a weekly amount, and an annual salary. The hourly rate of $26.44 is the most direct figure for casual or part-time workers. The weekly figure of $1,004.90 assumes a full 38-hour week. The annual figure of $52,255 is a simple multiplication by 52, but actual take-home pay depends on tax and other deductions.
For 2026–27, the ATO tax rates are: nil on the first $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% applies before any reductions. A full-time minimum wage earner on $52,255 would pay roughly $5,667 in tax plus $1,045 in Medicare levy, leaving about $45,543 after tax. That is around $876 per week.
State differences
While the national minimum wage is the same everywhere, full-time average earnings vary by state. The ABS data for May 2026 shows: New South Wales $109,658, Victoria $106,137, Queensland $106,064, South Australia $102,450, Western Australia $115,825, Tasmania $96,008, Northern Territory $103,173, and the Australian Capital Territory $119,090. The minimum wage is well below all state averages, but the gap is widest in the ACT and WA, and narrowest in Tasmania.
For a state-by-state breakdown of full-time averages, see the states and territories page.
How the figures are set
The national minimum wage is determined by the Fair Work Commission after an annual review. It considers economic conditions, living standards, and the needs of the low-paid. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings is published twice a year (May and November) and is the official measure of full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. The median figures come from the ABS Employee Earnings survey, which is conducted every two years (most recently August 2025).
To understand more about the methodology behind these numbers, visit how the figures are set.
What it means for you
If you are earning the minimum wage, you are on the legal floor. Many workers in awards receive more, so check your award or agreement. The national minimum wage is a safety net, not a target. For those comparing salaries, the full-time average line on this site gives a clear reference point. You can enter your annual salary and see how it stacks up against the national average, the median, and the minimum.
The minimum wage is also a useful benchmark for part-time and casual workers. If you work fewer hours, your weekly pay will be lower, but the hourly rate remains the same. Casual employees also receive a loading (usually 25%) on top of the minimum hourly rate.
Final thoughts
The Australian minimum wage in 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 per year. It is roughly half the full-time average and about 58% of the full-time median. While it provides a basic standard of living, many workers earn more under awards or agreements. The figures on this site are updated with each official release, so you can always see where your pay sits.