Pay rates
Minimum Wage in Australia (2026-27)
The national minimum wage that applies from 1 July 2026, what casuals get, and what it means after tax.
Short answer
From 1 July 2026 the national minimum wage in Australia is $26.44 an hour, or $1,004.90 a week for 38 ordinary hours. Casual employees add a 25% loading, taking the minimum casual rate to about $33 an hour. Full-time that is $52,245 a year gross, or roughly $45,223 after tax.
Salary details
Estimated result
Take-home (monthly)
$3,768.58
$45,223 per year
Employer super
$6,269
Paid on top into super
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026
- Hourly rate: $26.44
- Weekly rate (38 ordinary hours): $1,004.90
- Casual employees: 25% loading on top - about $33 an hour
- Previous rate (from 1 July 2025): $24.95 an hour / $948 a week
What the minimum wage means after tax
- Full-time gross (38 hrs, 52 weeks): $52,245 a year
- Estimated take-home (2026-27): $45,223 a year - about $870 a week
- Employer super (12%): $6,269 a year on top
Award rates are usually higher
The national minimum wage is the floor for employees not covered by an award or agreement. Most Australian workers are covered by a modern award with its own (usually higher) minimum rates, which the Fair Work Commission increased by 4.75% from 1 July 2026. Check your award rate with Fair Work's P.A.C.T. pay calculator, then use our payslip calculator to see your take-home pay.
Juniors, apprentices and special rates
Employees under 21, apprentices, trainees and workers on the supported wage system can be paid a percentage of the relevant adult rate. If you are paid less than $26.44 an hour as an adult employee not in one of those categories, use our payslip compliance checker and raise it with your employer or the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Australia in 2026?+
From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 an hour, or $1,004.90 a week for a 38-hour week, as set by the Fair Work Commission's Annual Wage Review 2026 decision.
What is the casual minimum wage?+
Casual employees receive a 25% loading on the minimum wage, so the minimum casual rate is about $33 an hour from 1 July 2026.
How much is minimum wage per year?+
Full-time (38 hours a week, 52 weeks) at $26.44 an hour is about $52,245 a year before tax, or roughly $45,223 after tax for 2026-27.
Does everyone get the national minimum wage?+
It is the absolute floor for award-free employees. Most workers are covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement with higher minimums, and junior, apprentice and supported wage rates can be lower percentages.
Sources & methodology
- ATO - Personal income tax: new tax cuts (15% rate from 1 July 2026)
- Income Tax Rates Act 1986 (legislation.gov.au)
- ATO - Study and training loan repayment thresholds and rates
- ATO - Super guarantee
- ATO - Contribution caps
- ATO - Payday Super and the annual maximum contribution base
- ATO - Medicare levy
- ATO - Medicare levy surcharge income thresholds and rates
- Fair Work Ombudsman - Pay slips
- How we calculate these estimates
Last updated 13 August 2026. Figures use the 2026-27 financial year.