Understanding the minimum wage for a 15-year-old
If you are 15 and starting work in Australia, you might wonder what you are entitled to earn. Unlike the adult national minimum wage, there is no single figure for a 15-year-old. Instead, your pay is determined by the award that covers your job, and Fair Work sets junior rates as a percentage of the adult rate. This guide explains how those rates work and how they compare to the national full-time average salary.
The adult national minimum wage as a reference
Fair Work sets the national minimum wage each year. From 1 July 2026, the adult rate is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or $52,255 per year based on a 38-hour week. This is the floor for adult employees not covered by an award. For junior employees, including 15-year-olds, the rate is lower.
How junior rates are set
Under the Fair Work Act, awards can include junior rates for employees under 21. These rates are expressed as a percentage of the adult rate for that award. The percentage increases with age. For a 15-year-old, the percentage is typically between 40% and 50%, but it varies by award. For example, the Fast Food Industry Award might set a different percentage than the Retail Award. There is no single national junior minimum wage; you need to check the specific award that applies to your job.
If you are not covered by an award, you may be entitled to the national minimum wage, but junior rates still apply. Fair Work's National Minimum Wage Order sets out the junior percentages for employees not under an award: for a 15-year-old, it is 45% of the adult rate. That would be approximately $11.90 per hour, but this is only for those not covered by an award. Most 15-year-olds work in industries with awards, so the award rate is the one to use.
Comparing to the national average
The national full-time adult average salary, as measured by the ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026, is $2,083.70 per week, or $108,352 per year. This is the figure used by Average line as the reference line. The full-time median salary is $90,532 per year, and the all-employees median is $74,100 per year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). Even the adult minimum wage of $52,255 is well below these averages. A 15-year-old's junior rate is even lower, often less than half the adult minimum, so the gap to the average is very large.
A resident take-home sketch
To understand what a 15-year-old might take home after tax, we can use the adult minimum as a baseline. On $52,255 per year, the 2026–27 tax rates apply: no tax on the first $18,200, 15% on the next $26,800 (up to $45,000), and 30% on the remainder up to $135,000. For $52,255, the tax would be approximately $5,416 plus the Medicare levy of 2% ($1,045), leaving about $45,794 after tax. But a 15-year-old earning a junior rate would have a much lower gross income. For example, if they earned 45% of the adult minimum, that would be about $23,515 per year. On that income, tax would be nil up to $18,200, then 15% on the next $5,315, which is about $797, plus Medicare levy of 2% ($470), leaving about $22,248. However, these are rough estimates; actual take-home depends on exact award rates and hours worked.
State comparisons
State full-time averages vary across Australia. For instance, the average in New South Wales is about $109,658, in Victoria $106,137, in Queensland $106,064, in South Australia $102,450, in Western Australia $115,825, in Tasmania $96,008, in the Northern Territory $103,173, and in the Australian Capital Territory $119,090. A 15-year-old's junior rate in any state will be far below these figures. The adult minimum wage is the same nationwide, and junior rates under federal awards are consistent across states.
Where to find your rate
To find the exact minimum wage for a 15-year-old in your job, you need to identify the award that covers your industry. Fair Work provides a pay calculator on its website. You can also check the Guides on this site for more information on how awards work. For a broader view of how salaries compare across states, see the States and territories page.
The importance of knowing the average
The national full-time average of $108,352 is a useful benchmark. Even if you are 15 and working part-time, understanding where your pay sits relative to this line can help you plan your finances. The How the figures are set page explains the methodology behind the averages and medians used on this site. You can also Place a salary on the line to see how any wage compares to the national average.
Summary
There is no single answer to "what is the minimum wage for a 15 year old". It depends on the award. The adult national minimum wage is $52,255 per year, but junior rates are lower. Compared to the national full-time average of $108,352, the gap is substantial. Use the resources on this site to place your salary on the line and see how it compares.