Australia Basic Wage and Lowest Salary in 2026
Last updated: 20 October 2026
The lowest standard wage in Australia is the National Minimum Wage. From 1 July 2026 it is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week, according to the Fair Work Ombudsman.
For a full-time employee, that is about $52,255 a year before tax.
Many people search for this as the “basic wage in Australia”. The rate set by law today is called the National Minimum Wage.
Key takeaways
The National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week from 1 July 2026.
Casual employees on the National Minimum Wage must receive at least $33.05 per hour, which includes the 25% casual loading.
Most employees are paid under an award or registered agreement, and those rates can be higher than the National Minimum Wage.
Junior employees, apprentices, trainees and employees with disability can have different minimum rates.
All figures on this page are before tax.
Planning to work in Australia on a visa? Minimum wage is only one part of the picture. Your visa type, your occupation and your salary can all decide which pathways are open to you.
A MARA-registered migration agent at RACC Migration & Education Services can review your situation and explain your options. Book a consultation to get started.
What is the basic wage in Australia?
The National Minimum Wage is the minimum pay rate set by the Fair Work Act 2009 for employees who are not covered by an award or registered agreement. The Fair Work Ombudsman confirms this and says the rate is reviewed each year.
The Fair Work Commission carries out that review. It published the National Minimum Wage Order 2026 after its decision on 2 June 2026, and the order came into operation on 1 July 2026.
Most changes begin on the first full pay period on or after 1 July.
Australia minimum wage rates from 1 July 2026
Pay basis | Amount before tax |
Per hour | $26.44 |
Per week | $1,004.90 |
Per fortnight | $2,009.80 |
Per year, full-time | About $52,255 |
Per hour, casual (includes 25% loading) | $33.05 |
The hourly rate, weekly rate and casual rate come from the Fair Work Ombudsman, including its minimum wage increase media release.
The fortnightly and yearly figures are simple calculations from the weekly rate (weekly rate x 2, and weekly rate x 52). Actual yearly pay depends on hours worked, leave and the award or agreement that applies.
The National Minimum Wage rose by about 6% in 2026, according to the Australian Government. Modern award minimum wage rates rose by 4.75% in the same review.
The previous rates were $24.95 per hour and $948.00 per week, as reported by Legal 500.
Is the National Minimum Wage the lowest salary in Australia?
The National Minimum Wage is the lowest standard adult rate for employees who are not covered by an award or registered agreement. It is the floor, not what most people are paid.
Most employees are covered by a modern award or a registered agreement, and those rates can be higher. About 2.8 million employees, around 21.1% of the workforce, are paid at an applicable minimum wage rate under a modern award, according to Clayton Utz.
The lowest lawful pay for a specific job depends on:
The award that covers the job
Any registered agreement, such as an enterprise agreement
The employee's age
Whether the employee is casual
Whether the employee is an apprentice or trainee
Whether special rates for employees with disability apply
The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes downloadable pay guides that summarise current award rates. Start at its minimum wages page.
Minimum wage for casual employees
Casual employees entitled to the National Minimum Wage must receive at least $33.05 per hour. This figure includes the 25% casual loading, as stated in the Fair Work Ombudsman's July 2026 release.
Casual employees who are covered by an award or agreement should check that document for their rate.
Junior minimum wage
Employees under 21 who are not covered by an award or agreement can be paid a percentage of the adult rate. The percentages in the National Minimum Wage Order are:
Age | Percentage of adult rate |
Under 16 | 36.8% |
16 | 47.3% |
17 | 57.8% |
18 | 68.3% |
19 | 82.5% |
20 | 97.7% |
The full adult rate applies from age 21.
Many modern awards set their own junior percentages, and these can differ from the table. Check the award that covers the job.
Apprentices, trainees and employees with disability
Apprentices and trainees have separate pay rates. These depend on the award or arrangement that applies to them.
The Fair Work Ombudsman says there are two special national minimum wages for award- and agreement-free employees with disability.
How much tax is paid on the minimum wage?
The minimum wage is gross pay. The Fair Work Ombudsman says it refers to the amount before tax is taken out.
These are the Australian Taxation Office resident tax rates for 2026-27:
Taxable income | Tax on this income |
$0 to $18,200 | Nil |
$18,201 to $45,000 | 15c for each $1 over $18,200 |
$45,001 to $135,000 | $4,020 plus 30c for each $1 over $45,000 |
$135,001 to $190,000 | $31,020 plus 37c for each $1 over $135,000 |
$190,001 and over | $51,370 plus 45c for each $1 over $190,000 |
These rates are for people who were Australian residents for tax purposes for the full year and are entitled to the full tax-free threshold. They do not include the Medicare levy of 2%.
Full-time pay on the National Minimum Wage is about $52,255, which is above $45,000. Part of that income is therefore taxed at 30%.
Different rules can apply if you are not an Australian resident for tax purposes. Use the ATO's simple tax calculator to check the tax on a specific income.
Superannuation on top of wages
Employers must also pay superannuation in addition to wages. The super guarantee rate is 12% for 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, according to the ATO.
From 1 July 2026, employers must pay super guarantee for each payday under Payday Super.
Do visa holders get the same minimum wage?
The Fair Work Ombudsman states that all employees working in Australia are entitled to a minimum wage. A visa does not set the pay rate. The award, agreement or National Minimum Wage that covers the job does.
Some visas also limit how many hours you can work, so check your visa conditions. RACC has guides to the student visa, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) and the working holiday maker visa.
Employer-sponsored skilled visas are a separate case. The Department of Home Affairs sets salary requirements for those visas, and they are reviewed separately from the Fair Work Commission's annual review. See RACC's guides to the Core Skills Income Threshold and the 482 Skills in Demand visa salary requirement, and check the current figure on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Planning to work in Australia on a visa? Book a consultation with a MARA-registered migration agent at RACC Migration & Education Services to review your options.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Australia in 2026?
The National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week, from 1 July 2026. Employees covered by an award or registered agreement are entitled to the rates in that award or agreement, which can be higher.
Is the minimum wage in Australia paid before or after tax?
Before tax. The Fair Work Ombudsman says the minimum wage refers to gross pay, which is the amount before tax is taken out.
What is the minimum wage for casual employees in Australia?
Casual employees entitled to the National Minimum Wage must receive at least $33.05 per hour. This includes the 25% casual loading. Casual employees covered by an award or agreement should check that document for their rate.
Does the minimum wage change from state to state?
The National Minimum Wage and modern award rates are set nationally by the Fair Work Commission. They apply across Australia for employees in the national workplace relations system. A small number of employees are covered by state systems instead, and the Fair Work Ombudsman can confirm which system applies to you.
When does the Australian minimum wage increase?
The Fair Work Commission reviews it every year. Most changes begin on the first full pay period on or after 1 July. The 2026 decision was made on 2 June 2026.
What is the minimum wage for a 17-year-old in Australia?
For a 17-year-old who is not covered by an award or agreement, the National Minimum Wage Order sets the rate at 57.8% of the adult rate. Employees covered by an award should check their award, because awards set their own junior percentages.
Can an employer pay less than the minimum wage?
No. An employer must pay at least the minimum rate that applies to the employee. If you think you are being underpaid, you can contact the Fair Work Ombudsman, which offers free advice and assistance.
Related guides from RACC
Official sources
This page is general information, not legal or migration advice. Rates change each year, so confirm current figures with the Fair Work Ombudsman before relying on them.
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