Your take-home pay on the minimum wage in Sydney: what changes each fortnight
The national minimum wage in Sydney (and across Australia) is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or $52,255 per year before tax; after tax and Medicare levy, a full-time worker takes home about $1,740 per fortnight.
Your take-home pay on the minimum wage in Sydney
If you are earning the minimum wage in Sydney, your base rate is the same as anywhere else in Australia. The national minimum wage, set by the Fair Work Commission, is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. That works out to $52,255 per year before tax.
But what you actually see in your bank account each fortnight depends on three things: the tax brackets, the Medicare levy, and whether your salary is quoted as ‘plus super’ or ‘including super’. Most job ads show the base rate before super, so your take-home is calculated from the gross amount.
Tax brackets and the Low Income Tax Offset
For the 2026–27 tax year, the resident tax rates are:
- $0 – $18,200: nil
- $18,201 – $45,000: 15c for each $1 over $18,200
- $45,001 – $135,000: $4,020 plus 30c for each $1 over $45,000
On a $52,255 salary, your tax before offsets is $6,196.50. The Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) reduces this. At $52,255, you get $216 in LITO, bringing your tax to $5,980.50.
Medicare levy
The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income. The latest published single-person thresholds are $28,011 and $35,013. Because your full-time salary is well above $35,013, you pay the full 2% – that’s $1,045.10.
Total tax plus Medicare levy: $7,025.60.
Your take-home pay
After deductions, your annual take-home is $45,229.40. Divide by 26 fortnights and you get about $1,739.59 per fortnight. That’s the amount that reaches your bank account, assuming no other deductions like HELP/HECS or salary sacrifice.
What about super?
Superannuation is not taken from your take-home pay. Your employer must pay 12% super on top of your ordinary time earnings. For the minimum wage, that’s an extra $6,270.60 per year paid into your super fund. Your take-home pay is calculated from the base salary only.
Casual loading
If you are a casual employee, you get a 25% loading on the minimum wage, making it $33.05 per hour. That changes your gross annual pay to $65,318.80, and your take-home after tax and Medicare would be higher. Use our clearance tool to estimate your exact figures.
Why the fortnight matters
Your employer may pay you fortnightly. The tax withheld each fortnight is based on the tax tables, which spread your annual liability evenly. The Medicare levy is also withheld per pay period. So your fortnightly take-home is consistent, but the actual amount depends on your total annual income and any offsets you claim.
Summary
- National minimum wage: $26.44/hour, $1,004.90/week, $52,255/year
- Take-home after tax and Medicare: ~$45,229/year or ~$1,740/fortnight
- Super is additional (12% on top)
- Casual workers receive 25% loading
For more details on how tax brackets and the Medicare levy affect your pay, see our Tax and Medicare guide.
Questions
Does the minimum wage in Sydney differ from the national minimum wage?
No. The national minimum wage set by the Fair Work Commission applies across Australia, including Sydney. As of 1 July 2026, it is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. Some awards or enterprise agreements may set higher rates, but the national minimum is the legal floor.
How much super do I get on the minimum wage?
Employers must pay superannuation guarantee of 12% on top of your ordinary time earnings. For a full-time worker on the minimum wage ($52,255 per year), that adds $6,270.60 in super contributions. This is not deducted from your take-home pay; it is an additional benefit paid into your super fund.
Why is my fortnightly pay less than half the weekly rate times two?
Your gross fortnightly pay is $2,009.80 (2 × $1,004.90). But tax and the Medicare levy are withheld each pay period. For 2026–27, the tax-free threshold is $18,200, then you pay 15c per dollar up to $45,000, and 30c per dollar above that. The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income. After these deductions, your take-home is about $1,740 per fortnight.