Minimum Wage Australia: $26.44/hr From 1 July 2026 (Casual $33.05)

How is the Australian minimum wage set?

The Fair Work Commission reviews the national minimum wage annually:

• The review happens in mid-year (June/July)
• Any increase takes effect from the first full pay period on or after 1 July
• The rate is announced as a per-hour figure
• The casual loading of 25% applies on top for casual employees

The minimum is reviewed yearly to keep pace with cost of living and economic conditions.

What is the minimum wage by employment type?

For the 2026-27 financial year (from 1 July 2026):

• Permanent full-time and part-time: $26.44 per hour
• Casual employees: $33.05 per hour (25% loading included)
• Weekly minimum (38 hours): $1,004.90 gross - the first time the weekly minimum has passed $1,000
• Award minimum rates: increased 4.75% in the same review

For reference, the 2025-26 rates (relevant to the tax year you may be lodging for now) were $26.44 per hour, or $33.05 casual.

If you earn less than these rates, you are being underpaid.

Why do most workers get a higher rate than the minimum?

Most jobs in Australia are covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement that sets industry-specific minimum rates higher than the national minimum:

• Hospitality Industry (General) Award: covers cafes, restaurants, hotels
• General Retail Industry Award: covers shops and retail
• Horticulture Award: covers fruit picking, harvesting, agricultural work
• Building and Construction General On-site Award: covers construction
• Cleaning Services Award: covers cleaners
• Aged Care Award: covers aged care workers

Each award has multiple classification levels with different rates based on experience and responsibility. Ask your employer which award covers your role and what classification you have been placed at.

What about penalty rates?

In many industries, working outside ordinary hours attracts penalty rates:

• Saturday rates (often 125-150% of base)
• Sunday rates (often 150-200% of base)
• Public holiday rates (often 225-250% of base)
• Overtime rates after a certain number of hours

See our article on penalty rates in Australia for the full breakdown.

What should you do if you are being paid less than the minimum?

If you suspect you are being underpaid:

1. Identify which award covers your role (ask your employer or check your contract)
2. Find the correct rate for your classification and work pattern
3. Compare against your payslips
4. Calculate the underpayment over the period it occurred
5. Get in touch with our team and we will help you raise the issue and recover what you are owed

Working holiday makers have the same rights as any other worker in Australia. There is no visa-based barrier to recovering underpaid wages.

Your award almost certainly pays more

The national minimum is the floor for award-free work - but hospitality, retail, horticulture and construction all run award rates above it, before penalties. A casual hospitality worker on Sunday rates can legally earn double the headline minimum. The quick self-check: identify your award and level, find the casual rate, compare your payslip. Paid the "national minimum" in an award industry usually means underpaid.