Minimum wage in South Australia: how it compares to the full-time average
The national minimum wage and South Australia
The minimum wage that applies in South Australia is the national minimum wage set by Fair Work. From 1 July 2026 that rate is $26.44 an hour, $1,004.90 a week, or about $52,255 a year for a full-time employee working 38 hours. This is the legal minimum that most employees must be paid, though some workers (such as those covered by an award) are entitled to more.
South Australia does not have its own state minimum wage. The national figure is the floor for all states and territories. Fair Work reviews the minimum wage each financial year, and the 2026–27 increase also lifted award minimums by 4.75%.
How the minimum wage sits against the SA full-time average
The South Australian full-time adult ordinary-time average is about $102,450 a year, according to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026. That is nearly double the minimum wage. The national full-time average is about $108,352, and the all-employees median (including part-time and casual) is about $74,100.
Because the minimum wage is a floor, most full-time workers in South Australia earn above it. The average reflects the mix of industries and occupations in the state, including higher-paying sectors such as mining and professional services, as well as lower-paying ones like retail and hospitality.
What moves pay above or below the average
Several factors can push a worker’s pay above or below the South Australian full-time average:
Awards and enterprise agreements
Most employees in South Australia are covered by a modern award or an enterprise agreement. Awards set minimum rates that are often higher than the national minimum wage. For example, a retail worker or a hospitality employee may have a base rate above $26.44 an hour. Enterprise agreements negotiated between employers and employees can set even higher rates.
Industry and occupation
Industry plays a large role. South Australia has a strong health care and social assistance sector, manufacturing, and agriculture. The ABS state averages show that full-time workers in some industries earn well above the state average, while those in others earn below. The industry medians page on this site breaks down earnings by industry.
Hours and employment type
The full-time average is based on ordinary-time earnings for adult employees working full-time. Part-time or casual workers may earn less in a year even if their hourly rate is above the minimum. Overtime, penalty rates, and allowances can lift annual earnings above the average for those who work extra hours or unsocial shifts.
Experience and qualifications
Workers with more experience or higher qualifications tend to earn more. The minimum wage applies to all, but many move above it quickly as they gain skills. The job medians page shows typical earnings for different occupations.
The role of the ABS Average Weekly Earnings
The full-time average used on this site comes from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings release, published twice a year for May and November. The May 2026 figure for South Australia is $102,450 a year. This is a mean, not a median, so it can be influenced by very high earners. The median full-time earnings for Australia are about $90,532, which gives a different picture of the typical worker.
Using the salary tool
To see where your own pay sits against the national or state average, you can place a salary on the line. The tool shows your weekly and hourly equivalent on a 38-hour week, plus the distance from the full-time average. You can also explore states and territories to compare averages across Australia.
Conclusion
The national minimum wage in South Australia is about $52,255 a year, well below the state full-time average of $102,450. Most workers earn above the minimum through awards, agreements, or additional payments. Understanding where your pay sits relative to these benchmarks can help you assess your position in the labour market.