Minimum wage Australia 19 year old: what you take home after tax and Medicare

Minimum wage Australia 19 year old: what you need to know

If you are 19 and working in Australia, your minimum pay depends on whether you are covered by an award or are award-free. The national minimum wage for adults is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week, as set by the Fair Work Ombudsman . But for a 19-year-old, the rate may be different.

Junior rates under the National Minimum Wage

For employees not covered by an award or registered agreement, the Fair Work Commission sets special national minimum wages for juniors (under 21). The rate is a percentage of the adult minimum wage, based on your age. The exact percentages are published in the National Minimum Wage Order each year . Because the specific percentage for a 19-year-old is not listed in the search results, you should check the order directly or use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool to find your correct rate.

If you are covered by an award, your minimum wage is set by that award. Many awards have junior rates that are also a percentage of the adult classification rate. Some awards, however, pay adult rates from age 18 or 19 for certain jobs. Always check your award.

What changes your fortnightly take-home pay

Your take-home pay is what lands in your bank account after income tax and the Medicare levy. Superannuation is not deducted from your pay – your employer pays it on top of your salary (at 12% from 1 July 2026).

Income tax brackets for 2026–27

For a resident, the tax-free threshold is $18,200. The first bracket above that is taxed at 15 cents per dollar up to $45,000. If you earn the adult minimum wage ($52,255 a year), your tax would be:

• $0 on first $18,200
• 15c × ($45,000 – $18,200) = $4,020
• 30c × ($52,255 – $45,000) = $2,176.50
• Total tax = $6,196.50
• Less Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) – maximum $700, reduced by 5c per dollar over $37,500. At $52,255, LITO = $325 – 1.5c × ($52,255 – $45,000) = $325 – $108.83 = $216.17. So net tax = $6,196.50 – $216.17 = $5,980.33.

But if you are on a junior rate, your annual income will be lower, so your tax will be less. For example, if the junior rate is 80% of adult, your annual pay would be about $41,804. Then tax would be:

• $0 on first $18,200
• 15c × ($41,804 – $18,200) = $3,540.60
• LITO = $700 – 5c × ($41,804 – $37,500) = $700 – $215.20 = $484.80
• Net tax = $3,540.60 – $484.80 = $3,055.80

Medicare levy

The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income, but there are low-income thresholds. For singles, the latest published thresholds are $28,011 and $35,013. If your taxable income is below $28,011, you pay no levy. Between $28,011 and $35,013, you pay 10 cents per dollar over $28,011. Above $35,013, you pay the full 2%.

For a 19-year-old on the adult minimum wage ($52,255), the levy is $1,045.10 (2% of $52,255). But on a junior rate of $41,804, the levy is $836.08 (full 2% because above $35,013). If your junior rate puts you below $35,013, you may pay a reduced levy or none at all.

Fortnightly take-home example

Let’s assume you are 19 and on the adult minimum wage (some awards pay adult rates from 18). Your gross fortnightly pay (38 hours × $26.44 × 2 weeks) = $2,009.80. Tax per fortnight (using the tax table) would be roughly $230, and Medicare levy $40.20. So take-home ≈ $1,739.60.

If you are on a junior rate of, say, 80% ($21.15/hour), gross fortnight = $1,607.40. Tax ≈ $117, Medicare levy $32.15 (if above threshold). Take-home ≈ $1,458.25.

Remember: these are estimates. Your actual withholding depends on your tax file number, any tax offsets, and whether you claim the tax-free threshold. Use the Take-home pay calculator for a precise figure.

Superannuation

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12%. Your employer must pay this on top of your ordinary time earnings. It does not reduce your take-home pay. If your salary is advertised as “$26.44 per hour plus super”, the super is extra. If it’s “$26.44 per hour including super”, that’s illegal – super cannot be deducted from your wage.

Key takeaways for a 19-year-old

• The minimum wage australia 19 year old is not a single figure. It depends on your award or, if award-free, the junior percentage from the National Minimum Wage Order.
• Your take-home pay is your gross wage minus income tax and Medicare levy. Super is separate.
• Use the Tax and Medicare guide to understand your exact obligations.
• Always check your pay slip to ensure you are receiving at least the correct minimum wage for your age and classification.

For more detailed benchmarks, see the Minimum wage page. If you want to calculate your own take-home, try the Clearance tool.