Last updated: 01st Oct 2024
It’s illegal for your boss to pay you less than the minimum wage rate, but it still happens through error or non-compliance. Research shows the people most likely not to be paid at the correct rate include female workers, people under 21 years old, casual employees, and workers in the community services, accommodation and food services industries.
Learn more about the minimum wage in Australia so you can earn what you’re legally entitled to.
Minimum Wage In Australia For Full-Time Adult Workers.
As of 1 July 2024, employers were required to increase employees’ pay on the minimum wage by 3.75%, based on an annual review decision by the Fair Work Commission (FWC).
That’s just over $33 more each week in gross income (before tax), compared to 2023. This year’s increase was considerably less than the 5.75% increase that took effect in July 2023.
In making its decision to increase the national minimum wage and all modern award minimum wages, the FWC acknowledged the cost of living pressures many households are experiencing due to stubbornly high inflation.
(Related: What Is The Real Cost Of Living In Australia?)
But despite the wages of low-income workers going backwards in real terms (e.g. not keeping pace with price rises), the Commission said:
| July 2023 | July 2024 | |
| Minimum Wage Per Hour. | $23.23 | $24.10 |
| Minimum Wage Per Week. | $882.8 | $915.90 |
| Annual Inflation Rate (CPI). | 6.0% (June quarter) | 3.8% (June quarter) |
What’s The Minimum Wage For Casual Employees?
In a job with no set hours or a firm offer of ongoing work, it’s critical to get paid at the right casual rate to help offset the fact you don’t receive other benefits like paid leave for sickness and holidays.
- Casual workers are entitled to 25% loading on top of the national minimum wage of $24.10 per hour.
- You should earn at least $30.25 per hour if you’re a casual employee in Australia.
A specific casual pay rate may be defined by the award rate relevant to your occupation. Nearly half of all workers covered by minimum wage rates in modern awards are casuals.
What’s The Difference Between National Minimum Wage And Minimum Award Wages?
The National Minimum Wage is the standard rate of pay for workers who aren’t covered by a modern award or an enterprise agreement.
That could include low-paid workers as well as senior managers who don’t fit into the available awards.
The Fair Work Commission’s annual wage review also impacts the minimum wages payable to employees covered by one of 121 modern awards that apply to workers in various industries and occupations, as negotiated through unions and other industrial relations processes.
If you’re paid at minimum wage rates established under an award, you should also have seen a 3.75% increase in your pay packet as of this July.
For instance, let’s say you’re a crew member at a fast food chain.
You’ll likely be covered by the Fast Food Industry Award, with mandated pay rates now starting at $25.65 an hour and $974.80 a week (for adults in full and part-time roles). That’s 6.4% more than the national minimum wage.
Depending on the award, you may also be entitled to a higher rate of pay (penalty rates) for working at night, early mornings, on weekends and public holidays.
The FWC provides tools to help you find the right award for your industry and to calculate the rate of pay you should be getting, including for overtime or shift work.
Minimum Wage For Young People And Trainees.
The FWC’s annual wage review order defines what’s known as ‘special national minimum wages’ for apprentices, trainees and workers under 21 years old.
This allows for a lower rate of pay than the National Minimum Wage.
Minimum Wage For An Apprentice.
The lowest base rate you can expect to be paid as an apprentice is:
- $567.76 a week in your first year if you’re under 21 years old. This is based on 55% of the minimum weekly rate for a full-time employee on Level 3 pay scale ($1032.30) of the Miscellaneous Award 2020.
- $825.84 a week in your first year if you’re an adult (21+). This is based on 80% of the minimum weekly rate for a full-time employee on Level 3 pay scale under the award.
Minimum pay rates go up in subsequent years of the apprenticeship.
Minimum Wage For A Trainee.
The minimum rate of pay you’re entitled to as a trainee is set out in the Miscellaneous Award 2020 as:
- $398.70 a week if you enter training straight out of leaving school in Year 10, and studying a Certificate Level I–III.
- Up to $809.70 a week if you completed more schooling and also have 3-5 years of additional experience, when studying a Certificate Level I–III. The type of industry qualification influences how high the rate is.
- $743.40 to $840.40 per week in your first year if you’re completing a Certificate Level IV traineeship. It depends on the training package you’re undertaking.
Minimum Wage For A 13-Year-Old.
The minimum wage for a 13-year-old in Australia is 36.8% of the national minimum wage, which is $8.86 per hour based on full-time and part-time work. The minimum rate for casual work is $11.09.
Important!
Some states restrict the age of employment — and it must be light work that doesn’t interfere with school — so check the rules if you’re not sure. The minimum age is 13 years old in Queensland, with a maximum of four hours on school days and eight hours on other days. Workers aged under 15 years old can work up to 10 hours a week in the ACT, with daily limits.
Minimum Wage For A 14-Year-Old.
A 14-year-old in Australia should get 36.8% of the national minimum wage, which works out to a minimum of $8.86 per hour based on full-time and part-time work. The minimum rate for casual work is $11.09.
Minimum Wage For A 15-Year-Old.
Workers aged 15 years old in Australia are entitled to a rate equal to 36.8% of the national minimum wage, which is at least $8.86 per hour based on full-time and part-time work. The minimum rate for casual work is $11.09.
Minimum Wage For A 16-Year-Old.
A 16-year-old employee in Australia can’t be paid less than 47.3% of the national minimum wage, which amounts to $11.40 per hour based on full-time and part-time work. The minimum rate for casual work is $14.25.
Minimum Wage For A 17-Year-Old.
Australian workers aged 17 must be paid at least 57.8% of the rate defined by the national minimum wage, which is $13.93 per hour based on full-time and part-time work. The minimum rate for casual work is $17.41.
Minimum Wage For An 18-Year-Old.
An 18-year-old worker is entitled to 68.3% of the national minimum wage, which means that should earn at least $16.46 per hour based on full-time and part-time work. The minimum rate for casual work is $20.58.
Minimum Wage For A 19-Year-Old.
Employees aged 19 should receive 82.5% of the national minimum wage pay rate, which equates to $19.88 per hour based on full-time and part-time work. The minimum rate for casual work is $24.85.
Minimum Wage For A 20-Year-Old.
A 20-year-old employee should be paid a minimum of 97.7% of the national minimum wage, which comes to $23.55 per hour based on full-time and part-time work. The minimum rate for casual work is $29.44.
Minimum Wages By State In Australia.
The minimum wage is determined at a national level and remains relevant in every state and for every type of employer.
Minimum Wage In Sydney And NSW.
The minimum wage in Sydney and the rest of New South Wales is defined by the National Minimum Wage which is set by Fair Work Australia — our national workplace regulator.
As of 1 July 2024, the national minimum wage in Australia is $24.10 hourly, or $915.90 weekly.
Minimum Wage In Melbourne And VIC.
Employed people living in Melbourne are covered by the national minimum wage standard, meaning you should be earning at least $915.90 a week, or $24.10 an hour if you’re an adult working full-time.
Minimum Wage In Brisbane And QLD.
The minimum hourly and weekly wage you’re entitled to when you work in Brisbane or any other region of Queensland is determined by the national minimum wage standard of $24.10 per hour and $915.90 per week.
Minimum Wage In Adelaide And SA.
Workers based in Adelaide and the rest of South Australia are covered by the national minimum wage standard, which means you’re gross income (before tax) should be at least $915.90 a week, or $24.10 an hour if you’re an adult working full-time.
Minimum Wage In Darwin And NT.
The minimum wage in Darwin and all other workplaces in the Northern Territory is defined by Australia’s National Minimum Wage which as of 1 July 2024 is $24.10 hourly, or $915.90 weekly.
Minimum Wage In Hobart And TAS.
Employees situated in Hobart and other regions of Tasmania are covered by the national minimum wage standard that defines base pay rates for all Australians.
Currently, the minimum weekly wage for adults working full-time is $915.90, representing an hourly rate of $24.10.
Minimum Wage In Canberra And ACT.
The minimum wage in Canberra and the rest of the Australian Capital Territory is the same as it is across Australia, as defined by Australia’s National Minimum Wage — which as of 1 July 2024 is $24.10 hourly, or $915.90 weekly.
Know What You’re Worth.
Knowing more about basic compensation entitlements helps you avoid being ripped off during your job hunt.
No matter the kind of work you do, or the size of the business, you should be getting paid at least the National Minimum Wage rate if you’re not covered by an award or enterprise agreement.
If you suspect your pay rate isn’t right, gather the evidence and make a time to sit down and talk to your employer about it.
You can also explore resources and advice provided by the Fair Work Ombudsman or make a complaint with them.
Jody
