Where the national minimum wage sits against the line
The national minimum wage per hour in Australia is $26.44 from 1 July 2026, as set by Fair Work. On a standard 38-hour week that comes to $1004.90 per week and about $52,255 per year before tax. This is the legal floor for employees not covered by an award or agreement.
By contrast, the national full-time adult ordinary-time average – the line on this site – is $2083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). The minimum wage is roughly 48% of that average. Most full-time workers earn well above the minimum because their award, enterprise agreement, or individual contract sets a higher rate.
How awards push pay above the minimum
Fair Work also adjusts award minimums each year. From 1 July 2026 award rates rose by 4.75%. Many awards set hourly rates significantly above the national minimum, especially for skilled roles, shift work, or particular industries. For example, a retail employee or a hospitality worker covered by a modern award will have a minimum hourly rate that is higher than $26.44. The national minimum wage only applies to employees who are not covered by any award or agreement.
State differences in average pay
Even though the national minimum wage is the same everywhere, state full-time averages vary because of industry mix, cost of living, and the types of jobs available. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026 shows:
- Australian Capital Territory: $119,090
- Western Australia: $115,825
- New South Wales: $109,658
- Victoria: $106,137
- Queensland: $106,064
- South Australia: $102,450
- Northern Territory: $103,173
- Tasmania: $96,008
A worker on the minimum wage in Tasmania, where the average is lower, is closer to the state average than a minimum-wage worker in the ACT. But the national line – the full-time average – is the same benchmark for everyone on this site.
Medians tell a different story
Averages can be pulled up by high earners. The full-time median wage is about $90,532 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025), and the all-employees median is about $74,100. The minimum wage of $52,255 is about 58% of the full-time median. So while the minimum wage is far below the average, it is also below the typical full-time worker's pay.
Tax and take-home pay
For the 2026–27 financial year, the ATO's resident tax rates are: nil up to $18,200; 15% from $18,201 to $45,000; 30% from $45,001 to $135,000; 37% from $135,001 to $190,000; and 45% above $190,000. The Medicare levy of 2% applies before any reductions. A full-year minimum-wage earner on $52,255 would pay about $6,867 in tax plus the Medicare levy, leaving about $45,388 after tax – before any offsets or deductions.
Why the figure can move off the national line
The national line on this site is the full-time average of $108,352. Your own pay may be different because:
- You work part-time or casually (the minimum wage still applies per hour, but annual earnings are lower).
- Your award or agreement sets a higher minimum rate.
- You live in a state with a higher or lower average.
- You are in an industry with strong bargaining power or skill shortages.
To see where your salary sits, you can place a salary on the line and compare it to the national full-time average. You can also explore states and territories to see how your location compares, or check job medians and industry medians for a more detailed picture.
The minimum wage is a floor, not a target
The national minimum wage is designed as a safety net. Most employees earn more because of awards, agreements, or market rates. The ABS data shows that the full-time average is more than double the minimum wage, and the full-time median is about 73% higher. If you are on the minimum wage, you are well below the typical full-time worker.
For more context on how the figures are set, see How the figures are set. And for general guides on pay and conditions, visit Guides.
Summary
The minimum wage per hour in Australia is $26.44 from 1 July 2026. It is a legal floor that applies to employees not covered by an award or agreement. The national full-time average is $108,352, so the minimum wage is about half that. State averages, award rates, and individual circumstances all affect where your pay sits relative to the national line. Use this site to compare your salary against the full-time average and see where you stand.