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Minimum wage in Western Australia: hourly, weekly and yearly rates

The national minimum wage of $52,242 a year ($26.44 an hour) sits well below the Western Australian full-time average of $115,825.

This is the Western Australia full-time average. It sits $7,473 over the Australian full-time average, about 6.9% above the line.

Week, hour, and a tax sketch

$2,227 a week · $58.62 an hour if spread over 38 hours

About $88,241 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 in Western Australia

The national minimum wage applies to all states and territories, including Western Australia. It is set by Fair Work and updated each year. From 1 July 2026, the rate is $26.44 per hour, which translates to $1,004.90 per week and $52,255 per year based on a standard 38-hour week. This is the legal minimum that most adult employees must receive, unless a specific award or enterprise agreement provides a higher rate.

How it compares to the Western Australian average

The Western Australian full-time average salary, as measured by the ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026, is $115,825 per year. That is more than double the minimum wage. The national full-time average is $108,352, also well above the minimum. Even the full-time median of $90,532 and the all-employees median of $74,100 are significantly higher. This shows that the minimum wage is a floor, not a typical wage.

Reading the same pay as a year, week and hour

The site uses a 38-hour week to convert between yearly, weekly and hourly figures. For the minimum wage: $52,255 per year divided by 52 weeks gives $1,004.90 per week. Dividing that by 38 hours gives $26.44 per hour. You can use the Place a salary on the line tool to see where any salary sits relative to the national full-time average.

The role of awards and the national minimum wage

Many employees in Western Australia are covered by modern awards that set minimum wages above the national minimum. For example, the Hospitality Industry General Award or the Building and Construction General On-site Award have higher rates. The national minimum wage is the safety net for employees not covered by an award or agreement. Fair Work reviews it annually, and in 2026 award minimums rose by 4.75%.

After-tax income

For a single resident earning the minimum wage in 2026-27, the tax brackets are: nil on the first $18,200, 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000, and 30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000. The estimated tax on $52,255 is about $6,196, plus the Medicare levy of 2% ($1,045), giving total deductions of about $7,241. The after-tax income would be approximately $45,014. This is a rough guide; use the ATO's online calculator for your personal situation.

Further reading

For more state-specific data, see the Western Australia page. To compare your own salary to the national average, visit Place a salary on the line.

Questions

What is the minimum wage in Western Australia?

The national minimum wage applies across Australia, including Western Australia. From 1 July 2026 it is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or $52,255 per year based on a 38-hour week. This is set by Fair Work.

How does the minimum wage compare to the average salary in Western Australia?

The Western Australian full-time average salary is $115,825 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). The minimum wage is about 45% of that figure. It is also below the national full-time average of $108,352 and the full-time median of $90,532.

What is the after-tax income on the minimum wage in Western Australia?

For the 2026-27 tax year, a single resident earning $52,255 would pay no tax on the first $18,200, 15% on the next $26,800, and 30% on the remaining $7,255. Including Medicare levy of 2%, the estimated tax is about $7,242, leaving about $45,015. Use the ATO's tax calculator for an exact figure.

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