Minimum wage, casual loading and pay slips

Fair Work OmbudsmanVerified 22 Oct 2026Official pages checked daily

Every employee in Australia is protected by a minimum wage. From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is A$26.44 an hour or A$1,004.90 a week (before tax). But most jobs are covered by an award, which usually sets a higher rate, so check your rate with the Fair Work Pay and Conditions Tool. Casual employees do not get paid leave but must receive casual loading on top of their pay. Your employer must give you a pay slip within 1 working day of payday. Employees on temporary visas have the same pay protections as everyone else.

Key facts

National Minimum Wage: A$26.44 an hour or A$1,004.90 a week (before tax) from 1 July 2026. It only applies to employees who are not covered by an award or registered agreement¹
Most people are paid under an award: For most employees, the minimum wage is set by the award for their industry or occupation, and it can be higher than the National Minimum Wage. Use the Pay and Conditions Tool to check the hourly rate, penalty rates and allowances in your award¹
Casual loading: Casual employees on the National Minimum Wage get an extra 25% casual loading. Casual employees covered by an award get the loading set in that award²
You cannot agree to a lower rate: An employee cannot be paid less than the minimum wage that applies to them, even if they agree to it²
Junior (young) employees: Junior rates are special rates for employees under 21, set by an award or enterprise agreement, usually as a percentage of the adult rate depending on age. If the award has no junior rates, young employees get the same pay as adults for the same work³
Apprentices, trainees and employees with disability: Apprentices, trainees and employees whose disability affects their productivity may be on special lower rates. Check the exact rate with the Pay and Conditions Tool²
Pay slips: Your employer must give you a pay slip within 1 working day of payday, including while you are on leave. It can be electronic or paper⁴
What a pay slip must show: The employer's and employee's names, the employer's ABN, the pay period, the date of payment, gross (before tax) and net (after tax) pay; for hourly workers, the hourly rate and number of hours; any loadings, allowances and penalty rates; each deduction; and the amount of super paid and the name of the super fund⁴
How often you must be paid: Most awards or agreements say weekly, fortnightly or monthly. If nothing is set, you must be paid at least once a month⁵
How wages must be paid: Wages must be paid in money, not in goods such as food. Payment can be by cash, cheque or money order, or bank transfer. If you are paid in cash, it is best for both of you to sign a record of the payment⁵
Cash wages still attract tax and super: The ATO says being paid in cash is legal, but you must declare the income in your tax return. You should still get a pay slip showing tax withheld and a yearly income statement, and check that your employer is paying your super⁶
Visa holders: Visa holders and migrant workers have the same workplace rights and protections as all other employees. Asking the Fair Work Ombudsman for help will not lead to your visa being cancelled⁷
Free interpreter: Call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 and ask the interpreter to connect you to the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94⁷

Who is this for, and what are the requirements?

Applies to every employee working in Australia: full-time, part-time or casual, and whether you are a citizen, permanent resident or on a temporary visa.
If you are covered by an award or enterprise agreement, your pay is set by that award or agreement, and those rates can be higher than the National Minimum Wage.
Only employees not covered by any award or agreement are paid the National Minimum Wage.
The National Minimum Wage is the adult rate. Employees under 21, apprentices, trainees and employees whose disability affects their productivity may be on special lower rates.
This page is about employees. If you work as a contractor with an ABN, the minimum wage rules do not apply. If an employer asks you to use an ABN for work that should really be an employee job, this may be sham contracting. You can ask the Fair Work Ombudsman about it.

How do I do it? Steps and process

Find out which award covers you
Open the Fair Work Pay and Conditions Tool (calculate.fairwork.gov.au) and search by industry or job. Choose your award, classification level, employment type (full-time, part-time or casual) and age. The tool gives you the minimum hourly rate, penalty rates for overtime and weekends, and allowances. You can also download the pay guide for your award.
Check your hourly rate and casual loading
Compare the hourly rate from the tool with the rate on your pay slip. If you are casual, check whether the hourly rate on your pay slip already includes casual loading (the pay slip can say the rate includes casual loading). Penalty rates for public holidays, weekends and evening shifts must also be paid as set in your award.
Get a pay slip every time you are paid
Your employer must give you a pay slip (electronic or paper) within 1 working day of payday. Check that it shows the employer's ABN, the pay period, gross and net pay, your hourly rate and hours, tax withheld, and super paid and the fund name. If you do not get one, ask your employer first.
Confirm how often and how you are paid
Check whether your award or contract says weekly, fortnightly or monthly. If nothing is written, the law requires pay at least once a month. Cash wages are allowed, but your employer must still withhold tax, pay super and give you a pay slip. When you are paid in cash, it is best for both of you to sign a record of the payment.
Keep your own record of hours
Use the Fair Work Record My Hours app (available in several languages) or write down your start and finish times each day. Keep rosters, pay slips and bank deposit records so you have evidence if you ever need to recover unpaid wages.
If you are underpaid
Talk to your employer first and show them the result from the tool. If that does not fix it, call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 (for an interpreter, call 131 450 first) or register for My account online and ask a question. For detailed steps, see our guide on fixing workplace problems: unpaid wages, dismissal and exploitation.

What documents do I need?

Pay slips and bank deposit records
Your employment contract or offer letter, and the name of your award
Your own record of the dates and hours you worked, and your rosters

What should I watch out for?

The minimum wage is reviewed once a year by the Fair Work Commission. The new rate usually applies from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July. The rate from July 2027 will only be known when it is announced, so check the Fair Work website.
Some awards have a time-limited introductory rate for new entrants to an industry, which can be below the National Minimum Wage. If you are covered by an award, the award rate is what applies to you.
A job advertisement cannot offer pay below what the Fair Work Act or your award allows.
Minimum wage amounts are gross (before tax). Questions about tax and super are handled by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
If your employer pays cash without pay slips, tax or super, you are the one who loses: you miss out on super, and you may not be covered by insurance if you are injured at work. You can report this to the ATO and ask the Fair Work Ombudsman for help.
Not giving pay slips, or giving incomplete or false pay slips, can lead to Fair Work inspectors fining the employer on the spot.
Visa holders have the same protections. Your employer cannot cancel your visa; only the Department of Home Affairs can. Asking Fair Work for help with a work problem will not get your visa cancelled.
This page is a plain-English summary of public information. Check the Fair Work Ombudsman website and the Pay and Conditions Tool for your own situation. It is not immigration, legal or tax advice.

What has changed recently?

2026-07-01
From 1 July 2026 the National Minimum Wage rose to A$26.44 an hour or A$1,004.90 a week. Award minimum wages rose by 4.75%. The minimum rate for ongoing employees under an award cannot be below A$1,004.90 a week (A$26.44 an hour), and introductory rates for the first 6 months in a job cannot be below A$978.10 a week (A$25.74 an hour). The new rates apply from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026. Payday super also started the same day: employers must pay super at the same time as wages.Source: fairwork.gov.au ↗

Common questions

What is the minimum wage in Australia right now? How much is it per hour?

From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is A$26.44 an hour or A$1,004.90 a week before tax. This rate only applies if no award or registered agreement covers you. Most employees are paid under an award, which can set a higher rate. Check your own rate with the Fair Work Pay and Conditions Tool.

I'm a casual. My employer says I get no annual leave but 25% extra on my hourly rate. Is that right?

Yes, that can be right. Casual employees do not get paid annual leave or sick leave, but they must get casual loading on top of their hourly rate. Casuals on the National Minimum Wage get an extra 25%. If an award covers you, the loading is the one set in that award. Check your pay slip to see whether your hourly rate already includes the loading.

I'm 17. Can my employer pay me less than the minimum wage?

Possibly, yes. Employees under 21 can be paid junior rates set by an award or enterprise agreement, usually a percentage of the adult rate based on age. If your award has no junior rates, you must get the same pay as an adult doing the same work. Use the Pay and Conditions Tool with your award and age to find your exact rate.

My employer pays cash in hand and doesn't give pay slips. Is that legal?

Paying cash is legal, but not giving pay slips is not. Your employer must give you a pay slip within 1 working day of payday, electronic or paper, and must still withhold tax and pay super. Fair Work inspectors can fine employers for missing or false pay slips. Ask your employer for pay slips first. If that fails, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman or report it to the ATO.

How often must I be paid? Is it normal to be paid only once a month?

It depends on your award or agreement. Most say weekly, fortnightly or monthly. If nothing is set, the law requires pay at least once a month, so monthly pay can be allowed. Wages must be paid in money, by cash, cheque or bank transfer, not in goods such as food. If you are paid in cash, sign a record of each payment.

How do I find the minimum pay rate for my industry (award)?

Use the Fair Work Pay and Conditions Tool at calculate.fairwork.gov.au. Search by industry or job, then choose your award, classification level, employment type and age. The tool shows your minimum hourly rate, penalty rates for overtime and weekends, and allowances. You can also download the pay guide for your award.

I'm on a student or work visa. My employer says visa holders can be paid less. Is that true?

No. Visa holders and migrant workers have the same pay rights as every other employee, and you cannot be paid below the minimum wage even if you agree to it. Asking the Fair Work Ombudsman for help will not get your visa cancelled, and your employer cannot cancel it. For an interpreter, call 131 450 and ask to be connected to the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94.

When does the minimum wage go up each year?

The Fair Work Commission reviews the minimum wage once a year. The new rate usually applies from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July. The latest increase, from 1 July 2026, took the National Minimum Wage to A$26.44 an hour and raised award rates by 4.75%. The rate from July 2027 will be known only when it is announced.

Answers are based on the verified content of this page — the official source always prevails.

Where can I check the official information?

Minimum wagesFair Work Ombudsman · fairwork.gov.au
Minimum wages fact sheetFair Work Ombudsman · fairwork.gov.au
Junior pay ratesFair Work Ombudsman · fairwork.gov.au
Pay slipsFair Work Ombudsman · fairwork.gov.au
Frequency of payFair Work Ombudsman · fairwork.gov.au
Receiving cash for work you doAustralian Taxation Office · ato.gov.au
Visa holders and migrantsFair Work Ombudsman · fairwork.gov.au

Spotted a mistake or something out of date? Tell us →

Still have a question? Ask

The AI answers using this guide and official Australian government websites.

Fixing workplace problems: unpaid wages, dismissal and exploitation

If you are owed wages, underpaid, dismissed without good reason or exploited at work, first check the rules and collect evidence, then raise the problem with your employer and put it in writing. If that does not work, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman (Fair Work Infoline 13 13 94; for an interpreter call 131 450 first) or take a small claim to court yourself for unpaid wages of up to A$100,000. If you were unfairly dismissed, you must apply to the Fair Work Commission within 21 days. Visa holders have the same protections, and asking Fair Work for help will not get your visa cancelled.

JobSeeker Payment (unemployment support)

JobSeeker Payment is income support for people aged 22 to Age Pension age who are looking for work, or who cannot work for a short time because of illness or injury. Centrelink pays it every 2 weeks. You must be an Australian resident (a citizen, permanent resident or protected New Zealand SCV holder) and be in Australia; most new permanent residents wait 4 years, and temporary visa holders are usually not eligible. From 20 September 2026 the maximum rate for a single person with no children is A$824.90 a fortnight. You must also pass the income and assets tests and meet mutual obligation requirements (looking for work) while you receive it.

Leave entitlements: annual, sick, public holidays and parental leave

The National Employment Standards (NES) set the minimum leave for every employee in Australia. Full-time employees get 4 weeks of paid annual leave a year, 10 days of paid sick and carer's leave, 2 days of compassionate leave each time it is needed, and 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave a year. After 12 months of continuous service you can take up to 12 months of unpaid parental leave. Part-time employees get these pro rata. Casual employees get no paid annual or sick leave but receive casual loading instead. Public holidays and long service leave are set by each state and territory.

Lodging your tax return: income year, due dates, tax rates and the Medicare levy

Australia's income year runs from 1 July to 30 June. If you earned income and had tax withheld, you generally need to lodge a tax return with the ATO after the income year ends. If you lodge it yourself with myTax, the due date is 31 October; a registered tax agent can lodge later. The ATO then works out whether you get a refund or owe tax. Australian residents for tax purposes have a tax-free threshold of A$18,200 and also pay the 2% Medicare levy; foreign residents and working holiday makers pay different rates.

Starting a small business: ABN, GST registration and tax invoices

If you run your own business in Australia, take on freelance work or earn money through a platform (ride-share, food delivery and so on), you usually need an ABN (Australian Business Number) first. Applying for an ABN at abr.gov.au is free; many of the 'ABN websites' that charge a fee are scams. GST is 10%. You must register for GST once your turnover reaches A$75,000 a year, and ride-share drivers must register before their first trip whatever they earn. Once registered, you lodge a BAS on time, and the invoices you give customers must meet the tax invoice requirements.

Superannuation (super): employer contributions, choosing a fund and DASP

Super (superannuation) is Australia's compulsory retirement saving. If you are an eligible employee, your employer must pay 12% of your wages into your super fund, and this applies to temporary visa holders too. You generally cannot take the money out until you retire at 60 or reach 65. If you are a temporary resident, you can apply for a departing Australia superannuation payment (DASP) after you leave Australia and your visa ends, but tax is deducted. This page does not recommend any fund.