20 hrs/week
National Minimum Wage (21+) minimum wage 20 hours
$528.80/wk
$27,498/year gross
Effective 1 July 2026 · Updated 2026-08-24$26.44/hour
National Minimum Wage (21+) 2026
Adult employees (21+) in the national system who are award/agreement free. National Minimum Wage band with pay examples, adult NMW context, and official Fair Work sources — for HR, payroll, and workers.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
$26.44Statutory rate
$52,255FT annual gross
Adult NMWAdult floor
$24.95Prior (1 July 2025)
Pay at 20, 30 & 38 hours/week
Gross at $26.44/hour before tax. Use the hourly salary calculator and Australia tax calculator for take-home estimates.
30 hrs/week
National Minimum Wage (21+) minimum wage 30 hours
$793.20/wk
$41,246/year gross
38 hrs/week
National Minimum Wage (21+) minimum wage 38 hours
$1,004.90/wk
$52,255/year gross
Annual calculation
$1,004.90 (38h week) × 52 = $52,255 gross/year
Actual take-home depends on tax residency and the Medicare levy. Model net pay with the Australia tax calculator.
Previous rates
$24.95/hr1 July 2025 – 1 July 2026
Notes
This is the base adult floor for award/agreement-free employees. Most workers are covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement that may set a higher rate. Check the Fair Work Ombudsman Pay Calculator for your award.
Compare National Minimum Wage (21+) minimum wage
See who has the higher floor — and why — versus other bands.
National Minimum Wage (21+) vs Casual adult (NMW + 25%)Casual adult (NMW + 25%) vs National Minimum Wage (21+)National Minimum Wage (21+) vs Age 20Age 20 vs National Minimum Wage (21+)National Minimum Wage (21+) vs Age 18Age 18 vs National Minimum Wage (21+)National Minimum Wage (21+) vs Under 16Under 16 vs National Minimum Wage (21+)All comparisons →
Frequently asked questions
The rate for adult employees (21+) in the national system who are award/agreement free is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 for a 38-hour week) from 1 July 2026. Over a year at 38 hours/week that is about $52,255 gross before tax.
This is the adult National Minimum Wage — $26.44/hour or $1,004.90 per 38-hour week for award/agreement-free employees aged 21 and over.
At $1,004.90 for 38 ordinary hours each week over 52 weeks, gross pay is about $52,255/year before income tax and the Medicare levy. Actual take-home depends on tax residency and offsets.
Current rates took effect from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, following the Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review.
Often yes. The National Minimum Wage is a safety-net floor for award/agreement-free employees. Modern awards and enterprise agreements usually set classification rates at or above this floor. Use the Fair Work Ombudsman tools to confirm your award rate.
Adult employees (21+) in the national system who are award/agreement free. This is the base adult floor for award/agreement-free employees. Most workers are covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement that may set a higher rate. Check the Fair Work Ombudsman Pay Calculator for your award.
At $26.44/hour: 20 hrs/week ≈ $528.80/week ($27,498/year); 30 hrs/week ≈ $793.20/week ($41,246/year); 38 hrs/week ≈ $1,004.90/week ($52,255/year). Gross before tax. Full-time ordinary hours for the National Minimum Wage weekly figure are 38.
Higher National Minimum Wage bands raise gross pay. Net pay still depends on tax residency, offsets, HELP/HECS, and Medicare levy settings. Model the same hours in our Australia tax calculator.
This band is the adult National Minimum Wage — $26.44/hour ($1,004.90 per 38-hour week) for award/agreement-free employees aged 21 and over.
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