What Is Minimum Wage for a 15 Year Old? Hourly to Annual Guide for 2026-27
The adult National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1004.90 per week for 38 hours; however, junior rates for 15-year-olds are set by awards and are typically a percentage of the adult rate.
Understanding Minimum Wage for a 15 Year Old in Australia
If you're wondering what is minimum wage for a 15 year old, it's important to know that Australia does not have a single junior rate. The National Minimum Wage set by the Fair Work Commission applies to adult employees (21 and over). For younger workers, award rates or enterprise agreements usually specify a percentage of the adult rate. As of 1 July 2026, the adult National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. Casual employees receive an additional 25% loading, making it $33.05 per hour. However, a 15-year-old's rate is typically lower—often between 40% and 60% of the adult rate, depending on the industry award.
How to Convert Hourly Rate to Annual Pay
The standard formula to estimate annual gross pay is:
Hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks
We assume a 38-hour week for full-time employees. For example, if you are an adult earning the National Minimum Wage:
- $26.44 × 38 × 52 = $52,245.44 per year
- Fortnightly: $1004.90 × 2 = $2009.80
For a 15-year-old on a junior rate of, say, 50% ($13.22 per hour):
- $13.22 × 38 × 52 = $26,122.72 per year
- Fortnightly: $502.45 × 2 = $1004.90
Remember, this calculation assumes you work the same hours every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. It's a useful estimate, but your actual pay may vary.
National Minimum Wage vs Award Rates
The National Minimum Wage is the legal floor for all employees not covered by an award or agreement. Most employees, including many 15-year-olds, are covered by a modern award that sets specific pay rates for juniors. For example, the General Retail Industry Award might specify that a 15-year-old receives 45% of the adult rate. Always check the relevant award on the Fair Work Ombudsman website. The minimum wage page provides more details on current rates.
Casual Loading and Superannuation
Casual employees get a 25% loading on top of the base hourly rate. This compensates for not receiving paid leave. For a 15-year-old casual, the loading applies to their junior base rate. For example, if the junior base is $13.22, the casual rate would be $13.22 × 1.25 = $16.53 per hour. The casual loading page explains this further.
Superannuation is paid on top of your gross wages. The super guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings, and it does not reduce your take-home pay. For the 2026-27 year, the maximum contribution base is $270,830. So if you earn $26,122.72 as a 15-year-old, your employer must contribute $3,134.73 to your super fund annually. This is separate from your hourly rate.
Tax and Medicare Levy
Your annual gross pay is subject to income tax and the Medicare levy. For the 2026-27 financial year, the resident tax rates are:
- Nil on the first $18,200
- 15% on income between $18,201 and $45,000
- 30% on income between $45,001 and $135,000
- 37% on income between $135,001 and $190,000
- 45% on income above $190,000
The Medicare levy is generally 2% of your taxable income. For a 15-year-old earning $26,122.72, the tax would be approximately:
- Taxable income above $18,200: $7,922.72 taxed at 15% = $1,188.41
- Medicare levy: $26,122.72 × 2% = $522.45
- Total deductions: $1,710.86
- Net annual pay: $24,411.86
This is an estimate. The take-home pay page can help you calculate more precisely.
Fortnightly Pay and Budgeting
Many employers pay fortnightly. To find your fortnightly gross pay, multiply your weekly pay by two. For the 15-year-old example above:
- Weekly gross: $502.45
- Fortnightly gross: $1004.90
- Fortnightly net (after tax and Medicare): approximately $939.00
Using the timesheet, you can enter your hourly rate and see the breakdown for different pay periods.
Important Considerations
- Junior rates vary: Always confirm the correct percentage for your age and award. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides a pay calculator.
- Penalty rates: If you work weekends, public holidays, or late nights, you may be entitled to higher pay. This guide assumes ordinary hours.
- Salary packaging: If you have salary sacrifice arrangements, your taxable income may be lower. This guide does not account for that.
- HELP loans: If you have a Higher Education Loan Program debt, additional repayments may apply.
For more detailed information, see the pay guides and reference tables on our site. The average pay page shows typical earnings across industries, but remember that these are averages, not medians for your specific job.
Summary
To answer what is minimum wage for a 15 year old, there is no single figure. It depends on the award and the percentage for juniors. The adult National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour, but a 15-year-old might earn half that. Use the formula hourly × hours per week × 52 to estimate annual pay, and remember that super is paid on top. Tax and Medicare reduce your take-home pay. For a personalised calculation, try our hourly conversion tool.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.