Minimum wage sa: your after-tax guide for 2026–27

Your minimum wage sa take-home pay in 2026–27

When you earn the national minimum wage in Australia, the amount that lands in your bank account after income tax and the Medicare levy is less than the headline rate. This guide walks you through the calculation using the latest rates from Fair Work and the Australian Taxation Office.

The minimum wage figures

Fair Work sets the national minimum wage at $26.44 an hour and $1,004.90 a week for a 38-hour week. That works out to an annual salary of $52,255 (before tax). This is the base rate for employees not covered by an award or agreement. For more details, see the Minimum wage page.

Tax and Medicare on the minimum wage

Using the 2026–27 resident tax rates from the ATO:

• Up to $18,200: no tax
• $18,201 to $45,000: 15 cents per dollar over $18,200
• $45,001 to $135,000: $4,020 plus 30 cents per dollar over $45,000

For $52,255:

• Tax on first $45,000: $4,020
• Tax on remaining $7,255 at 30c: $2,176.50
• Total tax before offsets: $6,196.50

You may be eligible for the Low Income Tax Offset (LITO). At $52,255, LITO is $325 minus 1.5 cents per dollar over $45,000. That reduces your tax by about $216, giving a final tax bill of $5,980.

The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income. Since $52,255 is above the single upper threshold of $35,013, you pay the full 2%: $1,045.

Total deductions: $5,980 + $1,045 = $7,025.

Your estimated take-home pay: $52,255 – $7,025 = $45,230 per year, or about $870 per week and $1,740 per fortnight.

This is an estimate only. It excludes HELP/HECS, the Medicare levy surcharge, salary sacrifice, and payroll rounding. For your own situation, use the Clearance tool or check the Tax and Medicare guide.

How the minimum wage compares to average earnings

The ABS Average Weekly Earnings (May 2026) show:

• All employees average: $1,579.20 per week ($82,118 annual)
• Full-time adult ordinary time: $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 annual)

The minimum wage sits well below these benchmarks. Even after tax, a full-time ordinary earner takes home significantly more. See the Benchmarks page for the full table.

Superannuation is extra

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, paid by your employer on top of your base salary. For a minimum wage earner, that adds about $6,271 per year to your super account, but it does not appear in your bank account. Job advertisements often quote a salary "plus super", so your take-home is calculated from the base figure.

Medicare levy thresholds for singles

The latest published single-person Medicare thresholds are $28,011 (lower) and $35,013 (upper). If your taxable income is below $28,011, you pay no Medicare levy. Between $28,011 and $35,013, you pay a shaded rate of 10 cents per dollar over the lower threshold. Full-time minimum wage earners are well above the upper threshold, so they pay the full 2%.

Key takeaways for your minimum wage sa planning

• Your weekly take-home from the minimum wage is about $870 after tax and Medicare.
• The Medicare levy is unavoidable at this income level.
• Super is not part of your take-home but builds retirement savings.
• Always check your pay slip for accuracy, as payroll rounding can cause small differences.

For more guidance on what you actually receive, visit Take-home pay and the Guides section.