New minimum wage 2026: Where it sits against the national full-time average
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, $1004.9 a week, or about $52,255 a year on a 38-hour week. This is the new minimum wage 2026, set by Fair Work after its annual review. Award minimums rose by 4.75% from the same date.
How it compares to the full-time average
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2083.7 a week, about $108,352 a year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). That is the line this site uses. The new minimum wage is roughly 48% of that average. In other words, a worker on the minimum wage earns less than half the typical full-time worker's pay.
Medians give a different picture
The full-time median is about $90,532 (ABS Employee earnings, August 2025). The new minimum wage is about 58% of the median. The all-employees median (including part-time and casual) is about $74,100. That means the minimum wage is about 70% of what the typical employee earns across all work patterns.
State differences
Full-time averages vary by state. The highest is the Australian Capital Territory at about $119,090, while Tasmania is the lowest at $96,008. The new minimum wage sits below every state average. For example, in Western Australia, where the full-time average is $115,825, the minimum wage is about 45% of that. Even in Tasmania, the minimum wage is only about 54% of the state average.
Gender pay gap
Men's full-time average is about $113,412 and women's is about $100,594. The new minimum wage is below both. The gap between the minimum wage and the average is wider for men than for women, but the minimum wage is still only about 52% of the women's average.
Tax implications
Resident tax rates for 2026–27: nil to $18,200; 15% to $45,000; 30% to $135,000; 37% to $190,000; 45% above that. Medicare levy is 2% before reductions. A full-time worker on the new minimum wage of $52,255 would pay tax at 15% on the portion above $18,200, plus the Medicare levy. After tax and Medicare, take-home pay would be about $44,500 a year, depending on individual circumstances.
How the figures are set
The full-time average comes from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey, published twice a year for May and November. The May 2026 figure is used here. Medians come from the ABS Employee Earnings survey, most recently August 2025. The minimum wage is set by Fair Work each year, effective from 1 July. Award minimums are also adjusted. For more on how these figures are compiled, see How the figures are set.
Where to see your own pay
You can Place a salary on the line to see how any salary compares to the national full-time average, the median, and the minimum wage. The tool shows a weekly and hourly rate based on a 38-hour week, plus the distance from the average.
Summary
The new minimum wage 2026 is a significant increase but remains well below the full-time average. It is about half the typical full-time salary. For award workers, the 4.75% rise may bring them closer but still below average. Understanding where your pay sits against these benchmarks can help with career planning and salary negotiations.