Minimum wage Australia 14 year old: $9.73 per hour under the national minimum wage

Minimum wage Australia 14 year old: what the national minimum says

If you are 14 years old and looking for work in Australia, the first question is often about pay. The national minimum wage sets a floor, but it is not a single figure for everyone. For a 14-year-old, the national minimum wage is $9.73 per hour. That figure comes from the National Minimum Wage Order, which applies to employees not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement.

How the national minimum wage works for juniors

The adult national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour. Junior employees are paid a percentage of that adult rate. For employees under 16 years of age, the percentage is about 36.8%, giving $9.73 per hour. The Salary Index uses a national line of 100, based on full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year. If a 14-year-old somehow worked full-time at the junior rate, their annualised earnings would be roughly $19,226, giving an index of about 18. That is far below the national line, but it reflects the fact that junior rates are designed for young workers who are often still in school and working limited hours.

Awards versus the national minimum wage

The national minimum wage is a safety net, but many 14-year-olds work in industries covered by modern awards. Awards can set their own junior rates, which are often higher than the national minimum. For example, the General Retail Industry Award and the Fast Food Industry Award have specific percentages for junior employees. These percentages may be based on the adult award rate rather than the national minimum wage. If you work under an award, the award rate is the minimum you must be paid. The pay guides on this site can help you find the right award for your job.

What about casual loading?

If you are employed as a casual, you are entitled to a casual loading on top of the base rate. For the national minimum wage, the casual loading is 25%, which brings the rate for a 14-year-old casual to about $12.16 per hour. However, awards often include the casual loading in a single all-purpose rate. Always check whether the rate you are offered includes the loading.

Tax and super for a 14-year-old

Most 14-year-olds earn well below the tax-free threshold of $18,200, so they will not pay income tax. The Medicare levy of 2% also does not apply if your taxable income is below the threshold. Superannuation guarantee contributions are generally required for employees under 18 only if they work more than 30 hours per week. Many 14-year-olds work fewer hours, so super may not be payable. But if you do work more than 30 hours, your employer must pay 12% super on top of your wages.

State differences and the salary index

The states page shows how average earnings vary across Australia. For a 14-year-old, the state you live in does not change the national minimum wage, but it may affect award rates if the award has state-specific provisions. The industries page shows that retail trade has an index of 75.9 and accommodation and food services has an index of 72.5. These are adult benchmarks, but they give an idea of the industries where many young workers start.

How to find the right rate

If you are 14 and starting a job, ask your employer whether you are covered by a modern award. You can also use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s online pay calculator. The national minimum wage for under 16 is $9.73 per hour, but the award rate might be higher. For example, under the Fast Food Industry Award, the junior rate for a 14-year-old is a percentage of the adult award rate, which is often above the national minimum. The how the index works page explains how we compare earnings to the national line, but for junior rates the comparison is less straightforward because hours vary.

Example: a 14-year-old in a café

Imagine a 14-year-old working Saturday mornings at a local café. If the café is covered by the Hospitality Industry General Award, the junior rate for under 16 is a percentage of the adult hospitality rate. That adult rate is higher than the national minimum wage, so the junior rate will also be higher than $9.73. The exact figure depends on the award classification. Always check the award or ask your employer for a pay slip that shows the rate.

Summary

The minimum wage for a 14-year-old in Australia is $9.73 per hour under the national minimum wage. But awards often set higher rates. The topics page has more articles on junior pay and award coverage. Remember that the national minimum wage is just a floor – many employers pay above it, especially under awards. If you are unsure, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman for free advice.