Check your pay · from 1 July 2026
Minimum wage in Australia, 2026-27
The national minimum wage is $26.44 an hour, or $1,004.90 for a 38-hour week, from 1 July 2026: up 6% on last year. After tax that is about $865.90 a week, or $45,229 a year. Casuals get at least $33.05 an hour.
- Per hour
- $26.44
- Per week (38h)
- $1,004.90
- Per year
- $52,255
- Casual per hour
- $33.05
What the minimum wage leaves after tax
| Per week | Per fortnight | Per year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross | $1,004.90 | $2,009.80 | $52,255 |
| Tax withheld | $139.00 | $278.00 | $7,025 |
| Take-home | $865.90 | $1,731.80 | $45,229 |
| Super on top (12%) | $120.59 | $241.18 | $6,271 |
The per-week and per-fortnight tax is what an employer withholds under the ATO tables; the yearly figure is the actual tax for the year, which is slightly lower. The difference comes back at tax time.
Part-time and casual at the minimum rate
| Hours a week | Gross | Tax withheld | Take-home a week |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 hours | $396.60 | $5.00 | $391.60 |
| 20 hours | $528.80 | $25.00 | $503.80 |
| 25 hours | $661.00 | $57.00 | $604.00 |
| 30 hours | $793.20 | $81.00 | $712.20 |
| 38 hours (full time) | $1,004.72 | $139.00 | $865.72 |
| 38 hours, casual | $1,255.90 | $220.00 | $1,035.90 |
The casual loading is paid instead of annual leave, personal leave and notice. Across a year a full-time casual on the minimum takes home about $8,680 more, but has no paid time off.
How much the 2026 increase is worth
A full-time minimum wage worker gets $56.90 a week more before tax: $2,959 a year. After tax the wage rise alone is worth about $1,968 a year. The 1 July 2026 cut in the second tax rate, from 16% to 15%, adds a little more on top (what changed on 1 July).
| 2025-26 | 2026-27 | |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour | $24.95 | $26.44 |
| Per week | $948.00 | $1,004.90 |
| Award rates | - | +4.75% |
| Lowest award rate, first 6 months | - | $25.74 / hr |
The 2025-26 after-tax comparison uses this year's tax rates for both, so it shows the wage increase alone.
Is your pay at least the minimum?
Most workers are covered by a modern award, which sets a minimum above the national minimum wage for their job and level, plus penalty rates for weekends, nights and overtime. Find your award rate with the Fair Work pay calculator, then check what reaches your account with the payslip checker and your weekend and overtime hours with the overtime calculator.
Common 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 for a 38-hour week. That is $52,255 a year before tax.
How much did the minimum wage go up?
By 6%, from $24.95 to $26.44 an hour. Modern award minimum rates rose by 4.75%.
What is the casual minimum wage?
Casuals get a 25% loading in place of paid leave, so the minimum casual rate is $33.05 an hour.
What is the minimum wage after tax?
On a full-time week, about $865.90 a week after tax is withheld, or $45,229 a year after income tax and the Medicare levy.
Does my award pay more than the minimum wage?
Most award classifications pay more than the national minimum wage, and award rates rise on the same date. Your award sets your actual minimum; the Fair Work Ombudsman pay calculator finds it.
More ways to check your pay
Sources and assumptions
- Fair Work Ombudsman, minimum wages increase from 1 July 2026
- Fair Work Commission, Annual Wage Review 2026 decision
- Tax uses the ATO's 2026-27 rates and Schedule 1 withholding tables, with the tax-free threshold claimed. Junior, apprentice and supported wage rates are lower and are set by the relevant award.
General information, not legal or financial advice. See our methodology.