Minimum wage in Victoria
Victoria, like all Australian states and territories, follows the national minimum wage set by Fair Work. There is no separate state minimum wage. From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 per year based on a 38-hour week. Award minimum wages also increased by 4.75% from that date.
This figure comes from Fair Work’s annual wage review. It applies to employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. Most workers in Victoria are covered by an award or agreement that pays more than the minimum.
How the minimum wage compares to the national full-time average
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). The minimum wage of $52,255 is roughly 48% of that average.
For context, the full-time median salary is $90,532 and the all-employees median is $74,100 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). The minimum wage sits below both medians. Men’s full-time average is about $113,412, women’s about $100,594.
Victoria’s full-time average
Victoria’s state full-time average is $106,137 (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026), slightly below the national average. The minimum wage is about 49% of Victoria’s average. Other states vary: New South Wales $109,658, Queensland $106,064, South Australia $102,450, Western Australia $115,825, Tasmania $96,008, Northern Territory $103,173, Australian Capital Territory $119,090.
Tax on the minimum wage
For 2026–27, 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; 45% above $190,000. The Medicare levy of 2% applies before any reductions. On a minimum wage of $52,255, the tax payable would be approximately $5,092 plus Medicare levy, leaving about $46,000 after tax (estimate only; see the ATO for precise calculations).
Where to check your pay
If you earn the minimum wage or an award rate, you can place your salary on the line to see how it compares to the national full-time average. For state-specific comparisons, see the Victoria page. You can also explore job medians and industry medians to see typical pay in your field.
Key points to remember
- The national minimum wage applies in Victoria.
- It is set by Fair Work, not by the state government.
- Most workers are covered by awards or agreements that pay more.
- The minimum wage is about half the national full-time average.
- The ABS publishes Average Weekly Earnings twice a year (May and November), not quarterly.
For more detail on how figures are calculated, see how the figures are set.