What is the minimum wage for a 14-year-old in Australia?

There is no separate minimum wage for 14-year-olds. The National Minimum Wage ($26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026) applies to all employees, but many awards include junior rates that pay less based on age. Check your award or agreement with the Fair Work Ombudsman for the correct rate.

Does a 14-year-old get casual loading on minimum wage?

If a 14-year-old is employed as a casual, they are entitled to a 25% casual loading on top of the base rate. For the National Minimum Wage, that means $33.05 per hour. However, some awards may have different loading arrangements. Always confirm with your employer or the Fair Work Ombudsman.

How is superannuation calculated for a 14-year-old on minimum wage?

Superannuation is paid on top of ordinary earnings at 12% (from 1 July 2026) for employees earning over $450 per month. For a 14-year-old working 38 hours a week at $26.44 per hour, the annual super contribution would be about $6,273.77, provided earnings are below the $270,830 maximum contribution base.

Minimum Wage Australia 14 Year Old: Hourly to Annual Pay Guide

For a 14-year-old on the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour, working 38 hours a week, the annual gross pay is about $52,281.44, with super and tax estimated on top.

Converting Hourly Pay to Annual Salary for a 14-Year-Old

If you are a young worker or a parent trying to understand pay, you might be searching for the minimum wage australia 14 year old. The simple formula to turn an hourly rate into an annual figure is:

Annual gross pay = hourly rate × hours per week × 52

This assumes you work the same number of hours every week, with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. For a full-time worker, the standard week is 38 hours (as defined by the Fair Work Ombudsman). If you work part-time or casual, adjust the hours accordingly.

Example: National Minimum Wage for a 14-Year-Old

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour. For a 14-year-old working 38 hours a week:

Weekly gross: $26.44 × 38 = $1,004.72
Fortnightly gross: $1,004.72 × 2 = $2,009.44
Annual gross: $1,004.72 × 52 = $52,245.44 (rounded)

Note: This is the adult rate. Many awards have junior rates that pay less for workers under 21. Always check your specific award or agreement. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides and reference tables for different industries.

Casual Loading and Superannuation

If you are a casual employee, you get a 25% loading on top of the base rate. For the National Minimum Wage:

Casual rate: $26.44 × 1.25 = $33.05 per hour
Weekly casual: $33.05 × 38 = $1,255.90
Annual casual: $1,255.90 × 52 = $65,306.80

Superannuation is paid on top of your ordinary earnings. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a 14-year-old on the minimum wage:

Annual super (full-time): $52,245.44 × 12% = $6,269.45
This is extra money paid into your super fund, not deducted from your pay.

Learn more about casual loading and super and packaging.

Tax and Take-Home Pay

Your take-home pay depends on tax and the Medicare levy. For the 2026–27 financial year, the resident tax rates are:

$0 – $18,200: nil
$18,201 – $45,000: 15% on excess over $18,200
$45,001 – $135,000: 30% on excess over $45,000
$135,001 – $190,000: 37% on excess over $135,000
Over $190,000: 45%

Medicare levy is generally 2% of taxable income, with reductions for low-income earners (using 2025–26 thresholds as 2026–27 reductions were not confirmed).

For a 14-year-old earning $52,245.44 (full-time minimum wage):

Taxable income: $52,245.44
Tax on first $18,200: $0
Tax on next $26,800 (to $45,000): $26,800 × 15% = $4,020
Tax on remaining $7,245.44 (to $52,245.44): $7,245.44 × 30% = $2,173.63
Total tax: $6,193.63
Medicare levy (2%): $1,044.91
Net annual pay: $52,245.44 - $6,193.63 - $1,044.91 = $45,006.90

This is an estimate. Use our timesheet to calculate your own pay, or check take-home pay for more details.

Fortnightly Pay and Budgeting

Many employers pay fortnightly. For a 14-year-old on minimum wage:

Fortnightly gross: $2,009.44
Fortnightly net (after tax and Medicare): approximately $1,731.03

Knowing your fortnightly amount helps with budgeting for school, savings, or expenses.

State Differences in Ordinary-Time Earnings

While the National Minimum Wage is set by the Fair Work Commission, average earnings vary by state. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026:

Full-time adult ordinary time: $2,083.70 per week (national average)
All employees total earnings (including part-time): $1,579.20 per week

These are averages, not medians for a specific job. For a 14-year-old, earnings are typically lower due to junior rates or fewer hours. The ABS data shows that full-time workers in mining and professional services earn more, while retail and hospitality often pay award rates.

If you are comparing your pay to these averages, remember that they include all ages and experience levels. For accurate industry rates, refer to the Fair Work Ombudsman's minimum wage page or job pay guides.

Important Disclaimer

Annual pay shown here is hourly rate × hours per week × 52. It assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no 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.

For personalised calculations, use our hourly conversion tool or check the reference tables for award rates.