Minimum Wage Australia 2025
Current Australian minimum wage rate, the annual Fair Work Commission review process, and the key difference between the national minimum wage and award rates.
Last updated: March 2026 · Effective 1 July 2025
If you're checking whether your pay is legal, knowing the national minimum wage is a starting point — but it's probably not the number that applies to you. Most Australian workers are covered by a modern award, which sets a minimum that varies by classification level and shift type. This guide explains both — and which one actually matters for your pay.
If you're trying to check whether your pay is legal in Australia — start here, then check your specific award.
Real example
Scenario: Retail worker assumes their $25/hr rate is fine because it's above minimum wage.
What should have happened: The Retail Award Sunday casual rate is higher than $25/hr. The national minimum wage was not the relevant number.
Workers who check only against minimum wage miss award entitlements entirely.
Why it happens: Most workers know about the minimum wage. Far fewer know their award rate — which is what actually applies.
What is the national minimum wage?
The National Minimum Wage is the absolute floor that any adult employee in Australia can be paid. From 1 July 2025:
- $24.95 per hour
- $948.10 per week (38 ordinary hours)
Set annually by the Fair Work Commission through the Annual Wage Review, effective 1 July each year.
Does the national minimum wage apply to me?
Probably not directly. The NMW applies only to employees not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement. The vast majority of Australian workers are covered by an award.
If you're covered by an award, the award minimums apply to you — not just the NMW. And award rates vary significantly by classification, day, and time.
If your payslip doesn't show your award or classification, that's often a red flag.
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Award minimums vs the national minimum wage
| Award | Entry level base rate | NMW comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Hospitality Award (MA000009) | $0.00/hr (Level 1) | Below NMW — NMW applies instead |
| Retail Award (MA000004) | $24.10/hr (Level 1) | Below NMW — NMW applies instead |
| Fast Food Award (MA000003) | $24.10/hr (Level 1) | Below NMW — NMW applies instead |
| Clerks Award (MA000002) | $24.10/hr (Level 1) | Below NMW — NMW applies instead |
Note: The NMW acts as a floor even within awards. Where an award rate falls below the NMW, the NMW applies. Rates effective 1 July 2025.
Even at minimum wage, penalty rates and allowances apply on top for evenings, weekends, and public holidays.
The Annual Wage Review
Each year, the Fair Work Commission reviews and typically increases minimum wages. The new rates take effect from the first full pay period on or after 1 July.
Employers must update pay rates from 1 July. Paying the previous year's rate after this date is underpayment — even if the increase was small.
⚠️ Common minimum wage underpayments
July rate increases not applied on time
Employers who don't update their payroll system continue paying the old rate. Every week of delay is a week of underpayment.
Penalty rates calculated from a wrong base
If your base rate is below the correct award minimum, every penalty rate calculated from it is also wrong.
Junior rates applied to workers aged 21+
Junior rates cannot be applied once a worker turns 21. Many payroll systems don't update automatically on the worker's birthday.
If any of these sound familiar, check your pay now.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the minimum wage the same in every state?
Yes — the National Minimum Wage applies across all states and territories for private sector employees.
Is super included in the minimum wage?
No. Superannuation is paid in addition to wages. From July 2025, the rate is 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. See superannuation for casual workers guide
What if my employer says they can't afford the minimum wage?
That is not a legal exemption. The minimum wage applies regardless of employer circumstances.
Find your award
These rules apply across all modern awards — but the specific rates, penalty multipliers, and allowances vary by industry. If you're ready to check your actual pay:
- Hospitality (hotels, bars, cafés, clubs) → Hospitality Award pay rates
- Fast food and takeaway → Fast Food Award pay rates
- Restaurants and cafés → Restaurant Award pay rates
- Retail (shops, supermarkets) → Retail Award pay rates
- Admin and clerical → Clerks Award pay rates
- Cleaning → Cleaning Award pay rates
Not sure which applies to you? Browse all awards
Don't guess — your award rate is what matters.
Enter your shifts and we'll calculate what you're owed under your specific award — not just the minimum wage.
Not sure if you’re being paid correctly?
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General information only — not legal advice. Verify at fairwork.gov.au.
Not sure if you’re being paid correctly?
Enter your shifts and find out in 2 minutes. Free, instant, based on official Fair Work rates.
Check my pay nowNo sign-up required