Average line

HomeGuidesMinimum wage

Minimum Wage Canada: How It Compares to the Australian Full-Time Average

The Canadian minimum wage is not published by Australian sources, but the Australian national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or about $52,255 a year on a 38-hour week, well below the national full-time average of $108,352.

This sits $56,097 under the Australian full-time average, about 51.8% below the line. The closest full-time state average is Tasmania. It is off the left edge of the ruler. This close-up only covers full-time state averages.

Week, hour, and a tax sketch

$1,005 a week · $26.44 an hour if spread over 38 hours

About $45,013 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 Wage Canada and the Australian Full-Time Average

If you are looking for the Canadian minimum wage, you may be comparing it to Australian salary benchmarks. The Canadian minimum wage is set by each province and territory, with rates in 2026 typically ranging from about C$15 to C$19 per hour. The Australian Bureau of Statistics and Fair Work do not track Canadian wages, so we cannot provide an official Canadian figure from those sources. However, we can show how the Australian minimum wage sits against the national full-time average, which may help you understand the relative position of a minimum wage in Australia.

The Australian Minimum Wage

Fair Work sets the national minimum wage for employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. From 1 July 2026, the rate is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week. On a standard 38-hour week, that works out to about $52,255 a year before tax. Award minimums also rose by 4.75% in the 2026 Annual Wage Review. This is the legal floor for pay in Australia.

The National Full-Time Average

The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026 reports that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings are $2,083.70 per week. Multiplied by 52 weeks, that is about $108,352 a year. This is the line used on this site to show where a salary sits against the average. The full-time average is significantly higher than the minimum wage, reflecting the mix of occupations and experience levels in the workforce.

How the Minimum Wage Compares

The Australian minimum wage is about 48% of the full-time average. For context, the all-employees median (including part-time and casual workers) is about $74,100 a year, and the full-time median is about $90,532 (ABS Employee earnings, August 2025). The minimum wage is below both medians, as expected for an entry-level or unclassified rate.

State and Territory Averages

Full-time average earnings vary across Australia. For example, the Australian Capital Territory has the highest average at about $119,090, while Tasmania has the lowest at about $96,008. You can see all state and territory averages on the States and territories page. These figures are all above the national minimum wage.

Tax on Minimum Wage Earnings

For the 2026–27 income year, the tax-free threshold is $18,200. A worker earning the minimum wage of $52,255 would pay tax at 15% on income between $18,201 and $45,000, and 30% on the portion from $45,001 to $52,255. The Medicare levy of 2% also applies, though some low-income earners may receive a reduction. The ATO provides full details.

Using This Site

You can place a salary on the line to see exactly how it compares to the national full-time average, the full-time median, the all-employees median, and the minimum wage. The chart updates automatically. For more about how these figures are set, see About this site.

Key Takeaways

  • The Canadian minimum wage is not available from Australian official sources. Provincial rates vary.
  • The Australian national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, about $52,255 a year.
  • The national full-time average is $108,352 a year, more than double the minimum wage.
  • The minimum wage is below the full-time median ($90,532) and the all-employees median ($74,100).
  • Use the line tool to compare any salary to these benchmarks.

Questions

What is the Canadian minimum wage in 2026?

The Canadian minimum wage is set by each province and territory, and a federal rate applies to federally regulated industries. As of 2026, rates vary from around C$15 to C$19 per hour depending on the jurisdiction. The Australian Bureau of Statistics and Fair Work do not publish Canadian figures, so we cannot provide a single national number from those sources.

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

The Australian national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week, which works out to about $52,255 a year on a 38-hour week. The national full-time adult average ordinary-time earnings are $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 a year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). So the minimum wage is roughly 48% of the full-time average.

Where can I see how my salary compares to the Australian average?

You can [place a salary on the line](/line) to see how it compares to the national full-time average, medians, and minimum wage. The site uses the ABS Average Weekly Earnings for the full-time average line, ABS Employee earnings for medians, and Fair Work for the minimum wage.

Related guides