What is the minimum wage in NSW?
The minimum wage in New South Wales is the national minimum wage set by Fair Work. From 1 July 2026, it is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week. There is no separate state minimum wage in NSW; the national figure applies across all states and territories.
How the national minimum wage is set
Fair Work reviews the national minimum wage each financial year. The 2026–27 increase was 4.75%, which also flowed through to award minimums. The national minimum wage is the legal minimum that most employees must receive, unless a specific award or enterprise agreement sets a higher rate.
How NSW compares to the national average
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 per week (about $108,352 per year), according to ABS Average Weekly Earnings (May 2026). In NSW, the full-time average is slightly higher at about $109,658 per year. This means the minimum wage in NSW is about 48% of the state’s full-time average earnings.
Awards and agreements can push pay higher
While the national minimum wage is the floor, many workers in NSW are covered by awards or enterprise agreements that set higher minimum rates. For example, the Hospitality Industry General Award or the Clerks Private Sector Award may have minimum rates above $26.44 per hour. If you are unsure which award applies, you can check on the Fair Work website or place your salary on the line to see how it compares to the national average.
State averages vs the minimum
Each state has its own full-time average earnings, but the minimum wage is national. Here are the state full-time averages from ABS Average Weekly Earnings (May 2026):
- New South Wales: about $109,658
- Victoria: about $106,137
- Queensland: about $106,064
- South Australia: about $102,450
- Western Australia: about $115,825
- Tasmania: about $96,008
- Northern Territory: about $103,173
- Australian Capital Territory: about $119,090
All of these averages are well above the national minimum wage. The minimum wage is designed as a safety net, not a typical wage.
What about part-time or casual workers?
The national minimum wage applies per hour worked. Casual employees also receive a casual loading (usually 25%) on top of the minimum hourly rate. Part-time employees are paid the same hourly rate as full-time employees, but work fewer hours.
How the minimum wage relates to the median
The national full-time median is about $90,532 per year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025), and the all-employees median is about $74,100. The minimum wage of $52,255 is below both medians, reflecting that most workers earn more than the minimum.
Tax on the minimum wage in NSW
For the 2026–27 income year, the resident tax rates are:
- Nil on income up to $18,200
- 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
- 30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
- 37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
- 45% on income above $190,000
Plus a 2% Medicare levy (before any reductions). A worker earning the minimum wage of about $52,255 would fall into the 30% bracket, but after the tax-free threshold and offsets, the effective tax rate is lower.
Where to find more information
For more details on how the figures are set, see How the figures are set. To compare your salary to the NSW average, visit the New South Wales page.
Summary
The minimum wage in NSW is the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour. It applies to all employees in the state, unless a higher rate is set by an award or agreement. While it is the legal floor, the average full-time salary in NSW is about $109,658, showing that most workers earn well above the minimum.