How Much Is Minimum Wage in Australia? A 38-Hour Week, Fortnight & Year Guide
From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour, giving $1004.90 per week for a 38-hour week, $2009.80 per fortnight, and $52,254.80 per year before tax and super.
How Much Is Minimum Wage in Australia? Understanding the Basics
If you’ve ever asked how much is minimum wage in Australia, the answer depends on whether you’re a permanent or casual employee. From 1 July 2026, the Fair Work Commission set the National Minimum Wage at $26.44 per hour for a 38-hour week. That works out to $1004.90 per week before tax and super. Casual employees get an extra 25% loading, making it $33.05 per hour – but remember, that loading is meant to compensate for not receiving paid leave.
These figures apply to employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. Many industries have award rates that are higher than the minimum. Always check the relevant award on the Fair Work Ombudsman website or use our pay guides to find the correct rate for your job.
Converting Hourly to Annual: The 38-Hour Week
To convert an hourly rate to annual pay, use this simple formula:
Annual gross pay = hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks
We assume a standard full-time week of 38 hours. For the National Minimum Wage:
- $26.44 × 38 = $1004.72 per week (rounded to $1004.90 in official figures)
- $1004.90 × 52 = $52,254.80 per year
If you’re paid fortnightly, just double the weekly amount: $2009.80 per fortnight.
This formula works for any hourly rate. For example, if you earn $30 per hour, your annual gross would be $30 × 38 × 52 = $59,280. Use our the timesheet to quickly convert any hourly rate to weekly, fortnightly, and annual figures.
What About Part-Time or Casual Hours?
The formula still applies if you work fewer than 38 hours. Just replace 38 with your actual weekly hours. For casuals, the hourly rate already includes the 25% loading – never add it again. Our timesheet has a checkbox that adds 25% casual loading on top of the base rate you enter, so you don’t have to calculate it yourself.
Tax and Super on Minimum Wage
Tax Withholding
Your take-home pay depends on tax and the Medicare levy. Using the 2026–27 resident tax rates:
- $0 – $18,200: Nil
- $18,201 – $45,000: 15% on the excess over $18,200
- $45,001 – $135,000: 30% on the excess over $45,000
- $135,001 – $190,000: 37%
- Over $190,000: 45%
Plus Medicare levy of 2% of taxable income (based on 2025–26 single reduction thresholds, as 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed).
For a minimum wage earner ($52,254.80):
- Tax on first $18,200: $0
- Tax on $18,201 to $45,000 ($26,800): 15% = $4,020
- Tax on $45,001 to $52,254.80 ($7,253.80): 30% = $2,176.14
- Total tax: $6,196.14
- Medicare levy: 2% of $52,254.80 = $1,045.10
- Total deductions: $7,241.24
- Take-home pay: approximately $45,013.56 per year (or $865.65 per week)
This is an estimate. It does not include HELP repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, or salary packaging. For a personalised calculation, see our take-home pay guide.
Super Guarantee
Your employer must pay super on top of your gross earnings. The super guarantee rate is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. For minimum wage:
- 12% of $52,254.80 = $6,270.58 per year added to your super account
Super is not deducted from your pay – it’s an extra cost for the employer. So your total employment cost is $52,254.80 + $6,270.58 = $58,525.38. Learn more about super and packaging.
Casual Loading and Award Rates
Casual employees receive a 25% loading on the base rate to compensate for not getting paid sick leave or annual leave. For the National Minimum Wage:
- Base rate: $26.44
- Casual loading: 25% = $6.61
- Casual rate: $33.05 per hour
If you’re casual, never enter a rate that already includes loading into our timesheet – just enter the base rate and tick the casual loading checkbox. The tool adds the 25% for you.
Award rates often exceed the minimum. For example, the Hospitality Award or the Retail Award have specific rates for different classifications. Check the reference tables for award summaries, or visit the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay Guides.
Using Our Timesheet and Other Tools
Our the timesheet is the simplest way to convert your hourly rate to annual, fortnightly, and weekly figures. Just type your base hourly rate, and if you’re casual, tick the box. The tool automatically applies the 25% loading and shows you the gross amounts before tax and super.
For more detailed breakdowns, explore:
- Pay guides – industry-specific award rates
- Average pay – compare your rate to ABS averages
- Hourly conversion – understand the maths
- Casual loading – how it works
- Job pay – typical rates for common roles
Important Considerations
This guide assumes a consistent 38-hour week, 52 weeks per year, with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, allowances, or salary sacrifice. Super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings only, paid on top, and stops at the $270,830 maximum contribution base. Tax uses the 2026–27 resident scale with the full tax-free threshold. Medicare uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds because the 2026–27 reduction thresholds were not confirmed here. HELP, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted.
This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax. Always consult the Fair Work Ombudsman for pay rates and the Australian Taxation Office for your personal tax situation.
Now you know how much is minimum wage in Australia – and how to convert it to annual, fortnightly, and weekly figures. Use our tools to check your own rate and plan your budget.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.