Your take-home pay on the minimum wage wa: what changes your fortnightly amount

How your fortnightly pay is calculated

When you earn the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour, your weekly pay is $1,004.90 for a 38-hour week. That works out to $2,009.80 per fortnight before tax. But what actually lands in your bank account depends on three main factors: the tax brackets, the Medicare levy, and your superannuation guarantee.

Tax brackets and the Low Income Tax Offset

The Australian tax system is progressive. For the 2026–27 tax year, the first $18,200 you earn is tax-free. Then you pay 15 cents for every dollar between $18,201 and $45,000. On the minimum wage, your taxable income is $52,255, which falls into the next bracket: $4,020 plus 30 cents per dollar over $45,000. That means your base tax is $4,020 plus 30% of ($52,255 - $45,000) = $4,020 + $2,176.50 = $6,196.50. However, you may be eligible for the Low Income Tax Offset (LITO). The maximum LITO is $700 for incomes up to $37,500, then it phases out. At $52,255, the LITO is reduced: $325 minus 1.5 cents per dollar over $45,000. That's $325 - (1.5% of $7,255) = $325 - $108.83 = $216.17. So your tax after LITO is $6,196.50 - $216.17 = $5,980.33. But remember, LITO can only reduce your tax to zero, not create a refund beyond that.

The Medicare levy

The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income. For a single person, there are thresholds: if you earn below $28,011, you pay no levy; between $28,011 and $35,013, you pay a reduced rate (10 cents per dollar over the lower threshold); above $35,013, you pay the full 2%. On $52,255, you are well above the upper threshold, so you pay the full 2%: $52,255 × 2% = $1,045.10. This is added to your tax bill. The Australian Taxation Office publishes these thresholds as $28,011 and $35,013 for single individuals.

Superannuation guarantee

Your employer must pay super on top of your salary. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. On the minimum wage, your super is $52,255 × 12% = $6,270.60 per year. This is not deducted from your take-home pay; it is paid separately by your employer into your super fund. So your take-home pay is calculated on your salary before super. Many job advertisements list a salary "plus super", meaning the super is additional.

Putting it together for a fortnight

Your fortnightly gross pay is $2,009.80. Your annual tax (after LITO) is $5,980.33, so fortnightly tax is about $230.01. Your annual Medicare levy is $1,045.10, so fortnightly levy is about $40.20. Total deductions per fortnight: $270.21. So your estimated take-home per fortnight is $2,009.80 - $270.21 = $1,739.59. This is an estimate; it excludes HELP/HECS, Medicare levy surcharge, salary sacrifice, and payroll rounding. For a more precise calculation, use our Clearance tool.

What if you are on the minimum wage wa?

The national minimum wage applies across all states and territories, including Western Australia. So if you are earning the minimum wage wa, the same rates apply. However, some awards or enterprise agreements may have higher rates. Always check your pay slip and consult the Fair Work Ombudsman for your specific award.

Other factors that change your take-home

Your take-home pay can also be affected by salary packaging arrangements, such as novated leases or super contributions. If you salary sacrifice, your taxable income reduces, which may lower your tax and Medicare levy. However, this guide does not cover those scenarios. For more on salary packaging, see our Salary packaging page.

Comparing to average earnings

The national minimum wage annual salary of $52,255 is below the all employees average weekly total earnings of $1,579.20 per week ($82,118 per year) and well below full-time adult ordinary time earnings of $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year). These benchmarks from the ABS show how the minimum wage compares. See our Benchmarks page for more.

Summary

Your fortnightly take-home on the minimum wage is approximately $1,739.59 after tax and Medicare levy, assuming no other deductions. Remember that super is not taken from your pay. For a personalised estimate, use our tools. Also read about Tax and Medicare and Super for more details.