Minimum wage Australia: 14-year-old pay rates and take-home pay explained
Pay for 14-year-olds varies by award and junior percentage; the adult national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week.
Minimum wage Australia: 14-year-old pay rates and take-home pay
If you are a 14-year-old working in Australia, your pay is likely set by a modern award that applies to your industry or occupation. The award will specify a junior pay rate, which is a percentage of the adult rate. There is no single "minimum wage for 14-year-olds" – it depends on the award and your age. The adult national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week, but that rate generally applies only to employees 21 and over who are not covered by an award.
How junior rates work
Most awards include a table of junior percentages. For example, a 14-year-old might receive 30% of the adult rate in some retail awards, or 40% in others. The exact percentage varies by award and sometimes by the number of years of service. Always check the specific award on the Fair Work Ombudsman website. If no award covers you, the national minimum wage applies – but that is rare for 14-year-olds.
Estimating your take-home pay
Once you know your hourly rate, multiply by the hours you work each week. For a 14-year-old, this might be 10–15 hours per week during school terms. Let's say you earn $10.58 per hour (40% of $26.44) and work 12 hours a week: your weekly gross pay is $126.96. Over a full year (52 weeks) that's $6,601.92 – well below the tax-free threshold of $18,200. So you would pay no income tax and no Medicare levy (the Medicare levy only applies once your income exceeds $28,011). Your take-home pay would be the full $126.96 per week.
If you work more hours or earn a higher junior rate, you might cross the tax-free threshold. For example, if you earn $15,000 in a year, you still pay no tax. But if you earn $20,000, you pay 15c for every dollar over $18,200 – that's $270 in tax. The Medicare levy of 2% would also apply if your income is over $35,013, but at $20,000 you are below the lower threshold of $28,011, so no Medicare levy is payable. The latest published single-person Medicare thresholds are $28,011 and $35,013.
Superannuation and other deductions
Employers must pay superannuation at 12% of your ordinary time earnings if you earn $450 or more in a calendar month (from 1 July 2026). For a 14-year-old working part-time, you may or may not hit that threshold. Super is paid on top of your wage – it does not come out of your take-home pay unless your salary is quoted as "inclusive of super". Most job ads for juniors show the base rate before super.
Using our tools
To see how different hourly rates affect your after-tax income, use our Take-home pay calculator. You can also check the Minimum wage page for the latest adult rates and links to award pay guides. Remember, the figures here are estimates – your actual tax depends on your total income from all sources, and the ATO withholds tax based on your declared earnings.
Key points to remember
- The adult national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week (from 1 July 2026).
- Junior rates under awards are a percentage of the adult rate – check your award.
- If your total annual income is under $18,200, you pay no income tax.
- The Medicare levy starts at $28,011 for singles; full 2% applies above $35,013.
- Super is 12% on earnings over $450 per month, paid by your employer.
- Use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool to find your exact minimum wage.
Questions
What is the minimum wage for a 14-year-old in Australia?
There is no single minimum wage for 14-year-olds. Most are covered by a modern award that sets junior pay rates as a percentage of the adult rate, often starting at 30–50% depending on the industry and age. If no award applies, the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour is the floor, but junior rates under awards are typically lower. Check the relevant award on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.
How do I calculate take-home pay for a 14-year-old earning minimum wage?
First, find the correct hourly rate under the applicable award (e.g., 40% of $26.44 = $10.58 per hour). Multiply by hours worked per week (e.g., 10 hours) to get weekly gross pay. Then deduct income tax using the 2026–27 tax rates (nil up to $18,200) and the Medicare levy (2% if income exceeds $35,013; reduced or nil between $28,011 and $35,013). For a 14-year-old earning under $18,200, no tax or Medicare is payable, so take-home equals gross pay.
Does superannuation apply to 14-year-old employees?
Yes, if the employee earns $450 or more in a calendar month (threshold from 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% on ordinary time earnings). However, many junior roles may earn below that threshold. Super is paid on top of wages and does not reduce take-home pay unless the salary is quoted as inclusive of super.