Minimum wage Australia 14 year old: junior rates and the full-time average
If you are 14 and starting your first job in Australia, you might wonder what you should be paid. The national minimum wage is set by Fair Work for adults, but for a 14-year-old, different rules apply. This article explains where the pay for a 14-year-old sits against the national full-time average, using the latest official figures.
The adult minimum wage as a benchmark
From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week. This is the minimum for an adult employee not covered by an award. For a 14-year-old, the rate is lower because junior rates apply. Fair Work does not publish a single figure for a 14-year-old; the rate depends on the award or agreement that covers the job.
How junior rates work
Under most awards, junior employees (under 21) are paid a percentage of the adult rate. For a 14-year-old, the percentage is often around 50% of the adult rate, but it can vary. For example, in the General Retail Industry Award, a 14-year-old gets 50% of the adult rate. In the Fast Food Industry Award, it is 45% for a 14-year-old. If no award applies, the national minimum wage order sets a junior rate: for a 14-year-old, it is 50% of the adult minimum. That would be about $13.22 per hour, $502.45 per week, or $26,127 per year on 38 hours. But this is not a guaranteed figure; you must check the specific award.
Where this sits against the full-time average
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 per week, about $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). The adult minimum wage is about 48% of that average. For a 14-year-old on a typical junior rate of 50% of the adult minimum, the weekly pay would be roughly $502, which is about 24% of the full-time average. This shows how far junior rates are from the typical full-time adult salary.
Other benchmarks
The full-time median salary is about $90,532 per year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). The all-employees median is about $74,100. A 14-year-old on a junior rate would earn well below these medians. Even the adult minimum wage is below the full-time median.
State differences
Full-time averages vary by state. For example, New South Wales averages $109,658 per year, 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. A 14-year-old's junior rate would be a small fraction of these state averages.
Tax considerations
A 14-year-old earning under $18,200 per year pays no tax in 2026–27. The Medicare levy of 2% applies only if income exceeds the threshold. Most junior jobs for 14-year-olds would fall below the tax-free threshold, so no tax is withheld.
How to find the right rate
To know exactly what a 14-year-old should be paid, you need to identify the correct award or agreement. The Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool can help. If the job is not covered by an award, the national minimum wage order applies, with the junior rate as a percentage. Always check the latest rates, as they change each July.
Conclusion
There is no single minimum wage for a 14-year-old in Australia. The adult minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, but junior rates are lower, typically around 50% of that. Compared to the national full-time average of $108,352 per year, a 14-year-old's pay is a small fraction. For more details on how salaries compare, place a salary on the line or see how the figures are set.