18 year old minimum wage in Australia: state and industry differences explained

What is the 18 year old minimum wage?

The 18 year old minimum wage is the lowest hourly rate an employer can legally pay an 18-year-old employee in Australia. As of 1 July 2026, that rate is $18.06 per hour under the National Minimum Wage Order. This is a junior rate calculated as a percentage of the adult national minimum wage ($26.44/hr). For a full-time 38-hour week, that works out to $686.28 per week, or about $35,687 per year.

But the 18 year old minimum wage is just a floor. Many 18-year-olds are covered by modern awards or enterprise agreements that set higher rates. For example, the Retail Award or Hospitality Award have their own junior pay scales that often pay more than the national minimum. Casual employees also receive a loading (usually 25%), which for an adult would be $33.05/hr, but junior casual rates are calculated on the junior base rate.

How the 18 year old minimum wage sits on the Salary Index

The Salary Index compares a pay figure to the national line of 100, which represents full-time adult ordinary-time earnings ($108,352 per year as of May 2026). The 18-year-old national minimum wage annualises to roughly $35,687, giving an index of about 33. That means it is one-third of the average adult full-time earnings. For context, the adult national minimum wage itself has an index of 48.2.

This low index reflects that junior rates are designed for young workers who are often new to the workforce. However, many 18-year-olds earn more than the minimum, especially if they work in higher-paying industries or states.

State differences in pay for 18-year-olds

While the national junior rate is the same everywhere, the actual earnings of 18-year-olds can vary by state because of differences in award rates, enterprise agreements, and market conditions. The states page shows how average earnings differ across Australia:

• ACT (index 109.9) – highest average earnings, so 18-year-olds in the ACT may find award rates or market wages above the national minimum.
• WA (index 106.9) – strong mining and resources sector can push up pay even for entry-level roles.
• NSW (index 101.2) – close to the national average.
• VIC (index 98) – slightly below average.
• QLD (index 97.9) – similar to Victoria.
• SA (index 94.6) – lower average earnings.
• NT (index 95.2) – also below the national line.
• TAS (index 88.6) – lowest average earnings, so junior rates may be more common.

These indices reflect the overall earnings of full-time adults, not junior rates specifically. But they give a sense of where pay tends to be higher or lower. An 18-year-old working in WA or ACT is more likely to be on an award or agreement that pays above the national minimum than one in Tasmania.

Industry differences and the 18 year old minimum wage

Industry matters a lot for young workers. The industries page shows indices for selected sectors:

• Retail trade (index 75.9) – a common employer of 18-year-olds. The Retail Award has junior rates that start at a percentage of the adult rate, often higher than the national minimum.
• Accommodation and food services (index 72.5) – another big employer of young people. The Hospitality Award also has its own junior scales.
• Health care and social assistance (index 97.8) – some entry-level roles for 18-year-olds, but often require qualifications.
• Education and training (index 105.5) – mostly adult professionals, but some junior roles exist.
• Mining (index 154.7) – very high pay, but rarely employs 18-year-olds due to safety and experience requirements.

If you are an 18-year-old looking for work, knowing which industry you are in helps you understand what you should be paid. The pay guides on this site can help you find the right award and junior rate.

Tax and super for 18-year-olds

Your take-home pay from the 18 year old minimum wage will be less than the gross figure. For a resident earning $35,687 in 2026–27, tax is roughly:

• Nil on first $18,200
• 15% on the next $17,487 (from $18,201 to $35,687) = about $2,623
• Plus 2% Medicare levy = about $714
• Total tax and Medicare ~$3,337, leaving about $32,350 take-home.

Super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, but that is paid on top of your wage, not deducted from it. So your employer must contribute an extra 12% of your ordinary-time earnings into a super fund.

Caveats and important notes

The 18 year old minimum wage is a starting point. Always check your specific award or agreement. Modern awards can set different junior rates, and some employers pay above the minimum. The how the index works explains that the index is a benchmark, not a guarantee. If you are unsure what you should be paid, contact Fair Work Ombudsman or check the relevant award.

Summary

The 18 year old minimum wage of $18.06/hr gives an index of about 33, well below the national line of 100. State and industry differences mean actual pay can be higher, especially in high-index states like ACT and WA, or in industries with stronger awards. Use the Salary Index, states, and industries pages to compare where your pay sits.