Part Time Minimum Wage and the National Full-Time Average
When we talk about the part time minimum wage in Australia, it’s important to understand that there isn’t a separate rate for part-time work. The national minimum wage, set by Fair Work from 1 July 2026 at $26.44 per hour, applies to all employees regardless of whether they work full-time, part-time, or casually. The key difference is the number of hours worked. A part-time employee typically works fewer than 38 hours per week, so their annual earnings are proportionally lower.
Where the Part Time Minimum Wage Sits Against the Line
The line on this site is the national full-time adult ordinary-time average: $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). That figure is based on full-time workers only. For a part-time worker on the minimum wage, the gap is substantial. Even if a part-time employee works 30 hours per week—which is quite high for part-time—they would earn about $793.20 per week ($26.44 × 30), or roughly $41,246 per year. That is less than 40% of the full-time average. At 20 hours per week, the annual figure drops to about $27,498. So the part time minimum wage, while providing a floor, leaves most part-time workers well below the national average.
Why State and Award Variations Matter
The national minimum wage is the legal minimum, but many part-time workers are covered by modern awards or enterprise agreements that set higher rates. For example, the General Retail Industry Award, the Hospitality Industry General Award, and the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award all have minimum hourly rates above the national minimum. These awards often include specific provisions for part-time employees, such as minimum engagement periods, penalty rates for weekends or evenings, and casual loadings. Because of this, a part-time worker in one state or industry might earn significantly more than the national minimum wage.
State differences also play a role. While the national minimum wage is uniform across Australia, state-based awards (still in place in some states for certain industries) can set different rates. For instance, a part-time employee in Western Australia might be covered by a state award with a higher minimum than the national figure. The state full-time averages from the ABS show variation: Western Australia’s full-time average is about $115,825, while Tasmania’s is about $96,008. These differences reflect industry mix and cost-of-living factors, but they also hint at how award rates can vary by location. To see how your state compares, check the States and territories page.
The Role of the National Minimum Wage
The national minimum wage is reviewed annually by the Fair Work Commission. From 1 July 2026, it rose to $26.44 per hour, which translates to $1,004.90 per week for a full-time worker on 38 hours, or about $52,255 per year. That is the floor for all employees, including part-time. However, the vast majority of part-time workers are covered by awards that pay more. According to the ABS Employee Earnings data (August 2025), the median earnings for all employees (full-time and part-time combined) is about $74,100 per year, while the full-time median is about $90,532. The all-employees median is pulled down by part-time workers, but it is still well above the minimum wage level.
How the Part Time Minimum Wage Affects Your Salary on the Line
If you are a part-time worker, your actual pay depends on your award, your hours, and your state. To see where your salary sits against the national full-time average, you can Place a salary on the line using the tool on this site. Enter your annual before-tax salary, and the chart will show your weekly and hourly figures based on a 38-hour week, plus the distance from the full-time average. For part-time workers, the tool uses the same 38-hour week for comparison, so your hourly rate is calculated from your annual salary divided by 52 weeks and then by 38 hours. That means if you work fewer hours, your implied hourly rate might appear lower than your actual rate—but the comparison is still useful to see how your total earnings stack up.
Award Minimums and the 4.75% Increase
Fair Work’s 2026 decision also increased award minimums by 4.75%. This means that for part-time workers covered by awards, the minimum hourly rate is higher than the national minimum wage. For example, a part-time employee under the Clerks—Private Sector Award might have a minimum rate of around $27.70 per hour after the increase. That extra $1.26 per hour adds up over a year. For a part-time worker on 25 hours per week, the difference is about $1,638 per year before tax. So while the national minimum wage is the baseline, the award system ensures many part-time workers earn more.
Tax and Take-Home Pay
It’s also worth considering tax. For the 2026–27 financial year, the 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 that. Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (before any reductions). A part-time worker on the minimum wage earning $27,498 per year would pay about $1,395 in tax plus $550 in Medicare levy, leaving a take-home of about $25,553. That is still far below the full-time average after-tax equivalent. The ATO provides detailed tax tables, but the key point is that part-time minimum wage earners are in the lowest tax brackets.
Conclusion
The part time minimum wage is not a separate figure—it is the national minimum wage applied to fewer hours. As a result, part-time workers typically earn much less than the national full-time average of $108,352. State awards and industry awards can lift that figure, but even then, most part-time roles fall well short of the line. Understanding where your pay sits can help you negotiate or plan your career. Use the tools on this site to compare your salary, and remember that the averages and medians published by the ABS and Fair Work are the most reliable benchmarks.