How much is the minimum wage in Australia and what you take home after tax

How much is the minimum wage in Australia?

If you’re an employee in Australia, the answer to “how much is the minimum wage in Australia” depends on whether you’re covered by an award or enterprise agreement. For employees not covered by an award or agreement, the national minimum wage applies. As of 1 July 2026, that rate is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week (based on a 38‑hour week). These figures come from the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Fair Work Commission.

Most employees are covered by an award, which sets higher minimum rates. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay Calculator can tell you the exact award rate for your job. But for this guide, we’ll focus on the national minimum wage – the floor that applies to everyone else.

What you actually take home after tax and Medicare

The headline rate is before tax. To work out what lands in your bank account, you need to subtract income tax and the Medicare levy. Here’s how it looks for a full‑time adult employee earning the national minimum wage in the 2026–27 tax year.

• Annual gross pay: $1,004.90 × 52 weeks = $52,255
• Income tax: Using the 2026–27 resident tax rates:
• First $18,200: $0
• Next $26,800 (up to $45,000): 15c per $1 = $4,020
• Remaining $7,255 (up to $52,255): 30c per $1 = $2,176.50
• Gross tax = $6,196.50
• Low Income Tax Offset (LITO): At $52,255 you get a reduced offset of about $216, bringing tax down to $5,980
• Medicare levy: 2% of $52,255 = $1,045 (full rate applies because your income is above the single upper threshold of $35,013)
• Total deductions: $5,980 + $1,045 = $7,025
• Annual take-home pay: $52,255 – $7,025 = $45,230
• Weekly take-home: $45,230 ÷ 52 ≈ $870
• Fortnightly take-home: $870 × 2 = $1,740

This is an estimate only. It excludes HELP/HECS repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, salary sacrifice, and payroll‑table rounding. Use our Take-home pay guide for a more personalised calculation.

How the Medicare levy works for minimum wage earners

The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income, but there are lower thresholds for people on low incomes. The latest published single‑person thresholds are $28,011 (lower) and $35,013 (upper). If your income is below $28,011 you pay no levy. Between $28,011 and $35,013 you pay a reduced rate (10c per $1 over the lower threshold). Above $35,013 you pay the full 2%. At $52,255 you’re well above the upper threshold, so the full 2% applies.

What about superannuation?

Super is not deducted from your take-home pay. Your employer must pay an additional 12% of your ordinary time earnings into your super fund (from 1 July 2026). On $52,255 that’s an extra $6,271 a year going into your super account. This is on top of your salary, not taken out of it. See our Super page for details.

Casual workers and the 25% loading

If you’re a casual employee not covered by an award, you’re entitled to a 25% loading on the national minimum wage. That means $33.05 per hour. Your annual gross pay would be about $65,319, and your take-home after tax would be higher – roughly $55,000 a year. But remember, casuals don’t get paid leave.

Key takeaway

The national minimum wage is a starting point. Your actual take-home depends on your tax situation, but for a full‑time adult employee it’s about $870 per week after tax and Medicare. For more benchmarks, see our Minimum wage and Tax and Medicare guides.