Where the new minimum wage sits against the national line
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, or $1,004.90 a week on a 38-hour week. That works out to about $52,255 a year before tax. Fair Work sets this floor, and award minimums rose by 4.75% on the same date.
Compared with the national full-time adult ordinary-time average of $2,083.70 a week (about $108,352 a year), the new minimum wage is roughly half. That gap is expected: the minimum wage is a safety net, not a benchmark for typical earnings. The full-time average, drawn from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings series for May 2026, includes all full-time employees and is pulled higher by higher-paid roles.
State differences can move the figure
A worker on the national minimum wage in one state may earn the same hourly rate as a worker in another state, but the average full-time wage in their state can be very different. For example:
- New South Wales full-time average: about $109,658
- Victoria full-time average: about $106,137
- Queensland full-time average: about $106,064
- South Australia full-time average: about $102,450
- Western Australia full-time average: about $115,825
- Tasmania full-time average: about $96,008
- Northern Territory full-time average: about $103,173
- Australian Capital Territory full-time average: about $119,090
These state averages reflect the mix of industries and occupations in each jurisdiction. A minimum-wage worker in Western Australia, where mining and construction drive up the average, is further below the state line than a minimum-wage worker in Tasmania, where the average is lower. To see how your own salary compares, you can place a salary on the line or explore states and territories.
Award rates and the minimum wage
The national minimum wage applies to employees not covered by an award or agreement. However, most Australian workers are covered by a modern award or an enterprise agreement that sets a higher minimum. For example, the Hospitality Industry General Award or the Retail Award have pay rates above the national minimum. The 4.75% increase to award minimums from 1 July 2026 means many award-reliant workers will see a rise, but their base rate may still be above the national floor.
Medians and averages: different measures
It is important to keep the minimum wage distinct from medians and averages. The ABS Employee Earnings publication for August 2025 gives:
- Full-time median: about $90,532 a year
- All-employees median: about $74,100 a year
The full-time average ($108,352) is higher than the median because high earners pull the average up. The minimum wage is lower than both medians, as it is designed as a floor. For a deeper look at how different jobs compare, see job medians or industry medians.
Tax and take-home pay
A worker on the new minimum wage of about $52,255 a year falls into the 2026–27 tax brackets: nil tax up to $18,200, then 15% up to $45,000, and 30% on income between $45,001 and $135,000. The Medicare levy of 2% applies before any reductions. After tax and Medicare, the take-home pay is lower than the gross figure. The site shows yearly salary before tax, and the distance from the full-time average is calculated on that gross amount.
Why the line matters
The national full-time average line on this site is a reference point. If your salary is below the line, you may be in a lower-paid industry, a part-time role, or a state with a lower average. If it is above, you are earning more than the typical full-time worker. The new minimum wage is a reminder that the line is an average, not a guarantee. Many workers earn less, and many earn more. For more on how the figures are set, see how the figures are set or about this site.