What is the Minimum Wage in Victoria? A Guide to Hourly, Annual and Fortnightly Pay

Understanding the Minimum Wage in Victoria

If you are asking what is the minimum wage in victoria, the answer is straightforward: Victoria is part of the national workplace relations system, so the minimum wage is the National Minimum Wage set each year by the Fair Work Commission. From 1 July 2026, that rate is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a full‑time employee working 38 hours. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the minimum casual rate $33.05 per hour.

This guide explains how to convert that hourly rate into annual, fortnightly and weekly figures, what tax and super you can expect, and how the minimum wage compares with award rates and average earnings in Victoria.

How to Convert Hourly Rate to Annual Salary

The standard formula for estimating annual gross pay is:

Annual gross = hourly rate × hours per week × 52

For a full‑time employee on the National Minimum Wage:

$26.44 × 38 hours × 52 weeks = $52,254.88 (rounded to $52,255)

This calculation assumes you work the same number of hours every week, with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, allowances or salary sacrifice. It is a useful starting point, but your actual pay may differ if your hours vary or you receive additional payments.

To find your fortnightly pay, simply multiply your weekly pay by two. For the minimum wage:

$1,004.90 × 2 = $2,009.80 per fortnight

If you are a casual employee, use the casual rate of $33.05 per hour:

$33.05 × 38 × 52 = $65,306.80 per year (or $1,255.90 per week, $2,511.80 per fortnight)

Use our the timesheet to enter your own hourly rate and see the annual, fortnightly and weekly figures instantly.

Award Rates vs the Minimum Wage

The National Minimum Wage is the legal floor, but many industries have award rates that are higher. Awards are legal documents that set minimum pay and conditions for specific occupations and industries. For example, a retail employee or a hospitality worker may be entitled to a higher hourly rate than $26.44.

If you are covered by an award, you must be paid at least the award rate for your classification. Check your award on the Fair Work Ombudsman website or refer to our pay guides for common award rates.

Casual Loading and Superannuation

Casual loading is an extra 25% paid on top of the base hourly rate to compensate for not receiving paid leave (such as annual leave and sick leave). The casual minimum wage of $33.05 already includes this loading. Never enter a rate that already includes casual loading into a calculator; always start with the base rate and add the loading separately if applicable.

Superannuation (super) is paid on top of your wages. The super guarantee rate is 12% of your ordinary earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. For a full‑time minimum wage earner, that means an extra $6,271 per year contributed to your super fund. Super is not deducted from your pay; it is an additional cost to your employer.

Tax and the Medicare Levy

Your annual gross pay is not what you take home. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) collects income tax and the Medicare levy from your pay.

For the 2026–27 income year, the resident tax rates are:

• Nil on the first $18,200
• 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
• 30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
• 37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
• 45% on income above $190,000

The Medicare levy is generally 2% of your taxable income. The government sets low‑income thresholds for the Medicare levy, but the 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed at the time of this guide. The 2025–26 single reduction thresholds have been used in our estimates.

For a minimum wage earner on $52,255, the estimated tax is about $6,200 and the Medicare levy about $1,045, leaving a take‑home pay of roughly $45,010 per year (or $865 per week). This is an estimate only; your actual tax may vary depending on your circumstances. See our take-home pay page for a more detailed breakdown.

Average Earnings in Victoria

It is helpful to compare the minimum wage with average earnings. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026, full‑time adult ordinary time earnings in Victoria were $2,041.10 per week. This is an average across all occupations and industries, not a median for any specific job. The national full‑time adult ordinary time average was $2,083.70 per week, while all employees (including part‑time) averaged $1,579.20 per week.

These averages are higher than the minimum wage because they include many higher‑paid roles. If you are looking for the median pay for a particular job, you would need to consult industry‑specific data or the Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay tools. Our average pay page provides more context on how averages are calculated.

Using the Timesheet Calculator

Our the timesheet is designed to help you convert your hourly rate into annual, fortnightly and weekly figures. Simply type your base hourly rate, and if you are a casual employee, tick the box to add 25% casual loading. The calculator will show your gross pay, estimated tax, Medicare levy and superannuation. Remember that the results are estimates based on the assumptions outlined above.

For more detailed information on specific topics, visit our minimum wage page, hourly conversion guide, or super and packaging section.

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 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.