What is the minimum wage for a 15 year old in Australia?

There is no single minimum wage for a 15-year-old. The rate depends on the applicable award or enterprise agreement. Junior rates are a percentage of the adult rate, set by the Fair Work Ombudsman. For example, under some awards a 15-year-old may receive around 36.8% of the adult minimum wage, but this varies by industry. Always check the relevant pay guide for your job.

How do I calculate annual pay from hourly rate for a 15 year old?

Multiply the hourly rate by the number of hours worked per week (typically 38 for full-time) and then by 52 weeks. For part-time or casual work, use your actual weekly hours. The formula is: annual gross ≈ hourly rate × hours per week × 52. This gives a base figure before tax and super.

Is superannuation paid on the minimum wage for a 15 year old?

Super guarantee of 12% applies to ordinary earnings for employees aged 18 and over. For employees under 18, super is only paid if they work more than 30 hours per week. Check the Australian Taxation Office rules for your situation. Super is paid on top of your wage, not deducted from it.

Minimum Wage for 15 Year Old: Hourly to Annual Pay and Tax Guide

For a 15-year-old, the minimum wage is set by award junior rates, not the adult National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour. Assuming 38 hours per week, annual gross pay would be hourly rate × 38 × 52.

Understanding the Minimum Wage for a 15 Year Old

If you're a 15-year-old starting your first job, you might wonder what the minimum wage for 15 year old is in Australia. Unlike the adult National Minimum Wage, which is a single rate set by the Fair Work Commission, junior rates vary by industry and award. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides that list the percentage of the adult rate you should receive. For example, under some awards a 15-year-old may earn around 36.8% of the adult minimum wage, but this is not universal. Always check the specific pay guides for your job.

Converting Hourly to Annual Pay

To estimate your annual gross pay, use the formula: hourly rate × hours per week × 52. This assumes you work the same hours every week with no unpaid overtime or penalty rates. For a full-time employee, the standard week is 38 hours. If you work fewer hours, adjust accordingly. For instance, if your hourly rate is $10.00 and you work 38 hours a week, your annual gross would be $10.00 × 38 × 52 = $19,760.

Our the timesheet lets you enter your base hourly rate and optionally add 25% casual loading. Never enter a rate that already includes casual loading; the checkbox adds it on top. This tool helps you see your annual, fortnightly, and weekly figures instantly.

Fortnightly Pay and Budgeting

Many employers pay fortnightly. To find your fortnightly gross, multiply your weekly pay by 2. Using the example above, weekly pay is $380, so fortnightly is $760. This can help you budget for bills and expenses.

Tax and Medicare Levy

Your annual gross is not what you take home. The Australian Taxation Office applies the 2026–27 resident tax rates: nil on the first $18,200, then 15% up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, 37% up to $190,000, and 45% above that. Most residents also pay a 2% Medicare levy. For a 15-year-old earning under $18,200, no tax is withheld, but you may still need to lodge a tax return. Use our take-home pay guide for more details.

Superannuation on Top

Super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary earnings, paid by your employer on top of your wage. For employees under 18, super is only required if you work more than 30 hours per week. The maximum contribution base is $270,830 per year. Super is not deducted from your pay; it's an extra benefit. Learn more about super and packaging.

Distinguishing Wage Types

National Minimum Wage: $26.44 per hour for adults (from 1 July 2026). This is the floor for award-free employees.
Award rates: Specific to industries and occupations, often higher than the minimum. Junior rates are a percentage of the award rate.
Casual loading: A 25% loading on top of the base rate for casual employees, compensating for lack of leave. Our timesheet has a checkbox for this.
Super: Paid on top, not included in the hourly rate.

Using the Reference Tables

For a quick look at average earnings, see our reference tables. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports average weekly earnings for full-time adults at $2,083.70 (May 2026), but this is an average, not a median for your job. Similarly, the National Minimum Wage is a floor, not a typical wage for a 15-year-old.

Important Disclaimer

Annual pay calculated 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 is 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.

Next Steps

If you're unsure about your correct wage, check the minimum wage page for adult rates, or look up your award on the Fair Work Ombudsman website. For a personalised estimate, use our the timesheet with your actual hours and rate.