Minimum Wage Calculator Australia

Fair Work's Annual Wage Review 2026 lifted the National Minimum Wage by 6% — from $24.95 to $26.44 per hour ($948.00 to $1,004.90 per week). Modern award minimum wages rose by a smaller 4.75% in the same determination.

These are two separate figures because they cover different groups: the NMW is a single flat safety-net rate for award-free and agreement-free employees, while award minimum wages are set per classification across roughly 100 modern awards covering the large majority of the workforce. The gap between the two increases means the award floors moved closer to the NMW safety net this year, rather than both rising by the same percentage.

The National Minimum Wage is a safety net — it only sets the floor for employees who aren't covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement. In practice, most Australian employees ARE covered by an award that sets a higher minimum wage for their industry and job classification.

Before relying on the NMW figures on this page, check whether an award applies to your job using Fair Work's pay guides — award rates are usually the more relevant floor.

Many modern awards pay a lower rate for an employee's first six months in a classification. Under the Annual Wage Review 2026 determination, the lowest ongoing-employment award rate must be at least $1,004.90/week ($26.44/hour), and the entry-level (first six months) rate must be at least $978.10/week ($25.74/hour). The exact rate for your role depends on your specific award and classification.

Casual employees are paid a 25% loading on top of the equivalent full-time or part-time rate, in exchange for not receiving paid annual leave, paid personal/carer's leave, or notice of termination. From 1 July 2026 that makes the casual National Minimum Wage $33.05 per hour. Casual loading applies whether you're award-free or covered by an award — check your award for the exact casual rate that applies to your classification.

This calculator does not compute junior, apprentice, trainee or disability support wages — those rates are set as percentages of the adult rate and vary by award, age and (for apprentices) year of training. Award-free juniors are paid a percentage of the National Minimum Wage under the National Minimum Wage Order rather than the full adult NMW.

Both examples are award-free NMW floors, not award rates — most employees will have a higher applicable minimum under their award. Super guarantee is paid on top in both cases, not deducted from these figures.

If the calculator above shows your actual hourly rate below the applicable minimum, start by confirming your correct award and classification — the NMW is a floor, and your real minimum may be higher again. Compare that rate against your payslips over a recent pay period.

You can raise a shortfall directly with your employer, use the free advice service at the Fair Work Ombudsman, or lodge a formal dispute if it isn't resolved. Underpayment claims can generally be backdated, so keep your payslips and a record of hours worked.

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