What is the minimum wage in Australia?
The national minimum wage is the legal floor for pay in Australia. From 1 July 2026, Fair Work sets it at $26.44 per hour, $1,004.9 per week, or about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week. This figure applies to employees who are not covered by an award or registered agreement. For those under an award, the minimum rate is often higher—award minimums rose by 4.75% from the same date.
How does the minimum wage compare to the national average?
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.7 per week, or about $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). That means the minimum wage sits at roughly half the average. The full-time median is lower, at about $90,532, while the all-employees median is about $74,100 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). These figures show that most full-time workers earn well above the minimum, but the gap is significant.
Why a state or an award can move the figure off the national line
The national minimum wage is a single number, but actual pay can vary widely depending on where you live and what industry you work in. State-based awards, enterprise agreements, and individual contracts can set higher rates. For example, the full-time average in the Australian Capital Territory is about $119,090, while in Tasmania it is about $96,008. Western Australia averages $115,825, and New South Wales $109,658. These differences reflect local labour markets, cost of living, and industry mix.
Awards are legally binding documents that set minimum pay and conditions for specific industries or occupations. They often include penalty rates, allowances, and classification structures that push pay above the national minimum. Even within the same state, a worker covered by a retail award might earn a different base rate than someone in hospitality or construction. Enterprise agreements negotiated at a workplace level can also set higher minimums.
Using the site to compare your pay
If you want to see how your salary stacks up against the national full-time average, you can place a salary on the line. The tool accepts a yearly salary before tax and shows the weekly and hourly equivalent on a 38-hour week, plus the distance from the average. You can also explore states and territories to see how averages differ across Australia, or check job medians and industry medians for more specific benchmarks.
The role of tax and the minimum wage
Earning the minimum wage means a yearly salary of about $52,255. Under the 2026–27 resident tax rates, you pay no tax on the first $18,200, then 15% on income up to $45,000, and 30% on the remainder up to $135,000. The Medicare levy of 2% also applies before any reductions. After tax and Medicare, a minimum-wage worker takes home roughly $44,000–$45,000, depending on their circumstances.
How the figures are set
The national minimum wage is determined by Fair Work after an annual review. The ABS publishes Average Weekly Earnings twice a year, for May and November. The full-time average used on this site is from the May 2026 release. Medians come from the ABS Employee Earnings survey, most recently August 2025. These sources are independent and provide the most reliable benchmarks for Australian pay.
Common questions about the minimum wage
Many people ask whether the minimum wage is enough to live on. While it is the legal minimum, it is below the full-time average and median. Award rates often provide a higher floor, and some states have their own minimum wage arrangements for certain workers. If you are unsure what applies to your job, check your award or agreement, or consult Fair Work.
For more detail on how the figures are compiled, see How the figures are set. You can also read Guides on understanding your pay and entitlements.
Summary
The national minimum wage in Australia from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.9 per week, or about $52,255 per year. It is about half the full-time average of $108,352. State and award differences can move your actual pay above this floor. Use the tools on this site to compare your salary against the national line and see where you stand.