Minimum Wage for a 14-Year-Old in Australia
When people ask about the minimum wage for a 14-year-old in Australia, they are often looking for a single dollar figure. In reality, there is no one number. The national minimum wage set by Fair Work applies to adult employees aged 21 and over. From 1 July 2026, that rate is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week. For a 14-year-old, the rate is almost always a junior percentage of that adult minimum, defined by the award or enterprise agreement that covers their job.
Junior Rates Under Awards
Most awards include a schedule of junior rates for employees under 21. These rates are expressed as a percentage of the adult minimum wage for that classification. For a 14-year-old, the percentage is typically lower than for older juniors. For example, in the General Retail Industry Award, a 14-year-old might receive 45% of the adult rate, while a 20-year-old might receive 90%. The exact percentage depends on the award and the type of work. Because there are hundreds of awards, it is not possible to give a single figure for all 14-year-olds. You need to check the specific award that applies to the job.
Where This Pay Sits Against the Full-Time Average
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). This is the line that Place a salary on the line uses to compare any salary. The adult minimum wage is already well below that line—about 48% of the average. A 14-year-old on junior rates would earn even less. For instance, if a 14-year-old works 15 hours per week at 45% of the adult minimum, their weekly pay would be around $178, or about $9,256 per year. That is less than 9% of the full-time average. Even if they worked 38 hours, their pay would be about $452 per week, still far below the average.
The Role of Awards and Enterprise Agreements
It is important to understand that the national minimum wage is a safety net. Most employees are covered by an award or enterprise agreement that sets higher minimums. Award minimums rose by 4.75% from 1 July 2026, in line with the Fair Work decision. For a 14-year-old, the award rate will be a percentage of that higher award minimum, not the national minimum wage. If no award applies, the national minimum wage and the junior rates in the Miscellaneous Award may apply. Always check the correct instrument.
Full-Time, Part-Time, and Casual Work
A 14-year-old is unlikely to work full-time due to schooling and legal restrictions on hours. Most work part-time or casual. Casual employees receive a loading (usually 25%) on top of the base rate. That loading is included in the hourly rate but does not change the junior percentage. The About this site page explains how the site calculates annual equivalents from hourly or weekly figures.
Medians and Averages: A Broader View
The full-time median salary in Australia is about $90,532 per year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). The all-employees median (including part-time and casual) is about $74,100. A 14-year-old's earnings are far below both. Even the adult minimum wage ($52,255) is below the all-employees median. This highlights that junior rates are designed for young workers who are still in training or education, not as a primary income.
State Comparisons
Full-time averages vary by state. For example, Western Australia has a full-time average of about $115,825, while Tasmania is about $96,008. A 14-year-old in any state would earn a small fraction of these figures. The States and territories page provides more detail on regional differences.
Tax Considerations
A 14-year-old earning under $18,200 per year pays no income tax. The 2026–27 tax rates start at nil for the first $18,200, then 15% up to $45,000. The Medicare levy of 2% applies only if taxable income exceeds the threshold. Most 14-year-olds would not reach that threshold, so their take-home pay is close to their gross pay.
Conclusion
There is no single minimum wage for a 14-year-old in Australia. The rate depends on the award, the type of employment, and the hours worked. Compared to the national full-time average of $108,352 per year, a 14-year-old's pay is very low—typically less than $10,000 per year for part-time work. For a precise figure, you need to identify the applicable award and the junior percentage for that age. The national adult minimum wage provides a baseline, but junior rates are always lower.