Minimum wage australia 18 year old: what lands in your account

Minimum wage australia 18 year old: understanding your take-home pay

When you are 18 and looking for work in Australia, the amount that reaches your bank account after tax and Medicare matters. The minimum wage for an 18-year-old is not a single figure. It depends on whether you are covered by an award or registered agreement. If you are award/agreement-free, the Fair Work Commission sets junior rates as a percentage of the national minimum wage. The national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week. For example, a junior rate may be a percentage of that. Use the Pay and Conditions Tool on Fair Work Ombudsman to find the correct rate for your job.

How to compare a job offer using the amount that reaches the account

When comparing job offers, look at the after-tax salary. The tax rates for 2026-27 are: nil up to $18,200, then 15c per $1 over $18,200 up to $45,000, then $4,020 plus 30c per $1 over $45,000 up to $135,000, and so on. The Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) can reduce your tax. Medicare levy is 2% of taxable income. Full-time salaries pay the full 2%. The Medicare levy thresholds for a single person are $28,011 and $35,013. For income between $28,011 and $35,013, a shading applies. This affects take-home pay.

Super is 12% from 1 July 2026. If a job ad says "plus super", super is not deducted from your take-home pay. If the ad says "including super", super is part of the package. Use a take-home pay calculator to see the amount that reaches your account.

Using the minimum wage australia 18 year old to estimate your take-home pay

If you are on the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour, working 38 hours per week, your annual salary is $52,255. After tax and Medicare, your take-home pay is lower. Use the Clearance tool to see your after-tax salary. For example, a single person earning $52,255 pays tax and Medicare. The amount that reaches your account is less than $52,255. Super is additional.

Important notes

• The minimum wage for an 18-year-old varies. For award/agreement-free employees, junior rates apply as a percentage of the national minimum wage.
• The national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week.
• Medicare thresholds for a single person are $28,011 and $35,013.
• Super is 12% from 1 July 2026, but not deducted from take-home if the job ad says plus super.

For more details, see the Minimum wage page and the Take-home pay page. Use the Clearance tool to calculate your after-tax salary.