Understanding the minimum wage victoria: what you actually take home after tax

Minimum wage victoria: the starting point

If you are an employee in Victoria, your minimum pay is set by the national minimum wage, not a separate state rate. Fair Work Ombudsman states that from 1 July 2026 the minimum is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week (based on a 38-hour week). This figure applies to all employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. Most workers in Victoria are covered by an award, which may set higher rates, but the national minimum wage is the legal floor.

What you actually receive after tax

Your take-home pay is the amount that reaches your bank account after income tax and the Medicare levy are deducted. For a full-time worker on the national minimum wage, the annual salary is approximately $52,255 (38 hours × 52 weeks). Using the 2026-27 tax rates from the Australian Taxation Office, your tax calculation looks like this:

• Tax on first $18,200: $0
• Tax on $18,201 to $45,000: $4,020 (15 cents per dollar)
• Tax on $45,001 to $52,255: $2,176.50 (30 cents per dollar)
• Total tax before offsets: $6,196.50
• Low Income Tax Offset (LITO): $216 (reduces tax)
• Income tax after LITO: $5,980.50
• Medicare levy (2%): $1,045.10
• Total deductions: $7,025.60
• Take-home pay: $45,229.40 per year, or about $869 per week and $1,739 per fortnight.

This estimate assumes you are a single resident with no HELP/HECS debt, no salary sacrifice, and no Medicare levy surcharge. Your actual take-home may differ slightly due to payroll rounding.

Medicare levy thresholds explained

The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income, but low-income earners pay less. The latest published single-person thresholds are $28,011 and $35,013. If your income is below $28,011, you pay no levy. Between $28,011 and $35,013, you pay 10 cents per dollar over the lower threshold. Above $35,013, you pay the full 2%. Since the minimum wage annual salary of $52,255 is well above $35,013, you pay the full levy.

Superannuation is extra

When you see a job ad quoting the minimum wage, it is usually plus super. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, paid by your employer on top of your salary. Super is not deducted from your take-home pay; it goes into a separate fund for your retirement. For example, on $52,255, your employer contributes $6,270.60 to super, but your bank account receives the $45,229 take-home.

How to check your own pay

Use the Take-home pay calculator on this site to enter your exact hours and any deductions. For more on the legal minimum, see our Minimum wage guide. If you are covered by an award, your minimum rate may be higher than the national minimum wage – check with Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay Calculator.

Key points to remember

• The minimum wage in Victoria is the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour.
• Take-home pay after tax and Medicare is about $869 per week for a full-time worker.
• Medicare levy applies fully because your income exceeds $35,013.
• Super is not deducted from your take-home; it is an extra benefit from your employer.
• This is an estimate, not a tax assessment. For personalised advice, consult a registered tax professional.