Your Guide to the Minimum Wage Australia Yearly: Take-Home Pay After Tax and Medicare
The national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or $52,255 per year before tax; after income tax and the Medicare levy, a single person earning this amount takes home around $45,200 annually (2026-27).
Understanding the Minimum Wage Australia Yearly
The national minimum wage is the legal minimum pay you can receive for work. For most employees, an award or registered agreement may set higher rates. If you're not covered by an award or agreement, the national minimum wage applies. The Fair Work Ombudsman sets the rate each year.
The 2026-27 Figures
From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or $52,255 per year (based on 38 hours per week for 52 weeks. This is the base rate for adult employees who are award/agreement free employees.
How We Calculate Take-Home Pay
Your take-home pay is the amount that reaches your bank account after income tax and the Medicare levy. For 2026-27, the Australian Taxation Office shows the tax brackets: nil on the first $18,200, then 15c per $1 over $18,200 up to $45,000, then 30c per $1 over $45,000. The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income, but if your income is below $28,011 you pay no Medicare. Between $28,011 and $35,013 you pay a shade rate of 10c per $1 over the lower threshold until the upper threshold. Full-time salaries pay the full 2%.
For a single person earning the minimum wage of $52,255, your tax is about $5,980 after the Low Income Tax Offset, and Medicare is $1,045, leaving you with approximately $45,200 in your bank account each year. This is a resident estimate only and excludes HELP/HECS, the Medicare levy surcharge, salary sacrifice, and payroll tax-table rounding.
Where the Minimum Wage Sits
The minimum wage is a benchmark for the lowest pay. Compare it to the average full-time adult ordinary time earnings of $108,352 per year (ABS, May 2026). The minimum wage is about 48% of that figure. Even the all-employees average (including part-time) is $82,118. This shows how the minimum wage is a floor, not a typical salary.
For more details, see our Minimum wage guide and Take-home pay calculator. You can also check the Tax and Medicare page for thresholds and offsets.
Questions
What is the minimum wage Australia yearly for 2026-27?
From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or $52,255 per year (based on 38 hours per week for 52 weeks). This rate is set by the Fair Work Commission and applies to employees not covered by an award or registered agreement.
How much take-home pay do I get from the minimum wage?
For a single resident earning the minimum wage of $52,255 in 2026-27, your take-home pay after income tax and the Medicare levy is approximately $45,200. This estimate includes the Low Income Tax Offset but excludes HELP/HECS, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary sacrifice. Use the Clearance tool for a personalised calculation.
How does the minimum wage compare to average earnings?
The minimum wage is well below the average full-time adult ordinary time earnings of $108,352 per year (ABS, May 2026). Even the all-employees average (including part-time) is $82,118. The minimum wage sits at about 48% of that figure. The gap highlights how the minimum wage is a floor, not a typical salary.