Minimum wage Australia 15 year old: the statutory rate and how to compare job offers

What is the minimum wage for a 15-year-old in Australia?

If you are 15 years old and looking for a job, the first thing to know is the legal minimum you can be paid. Under the National Minimum Wage Order, the minimum hourly rate for an employee under 16 is $9.73 per hour. This rate applies from 1 July 2026 and is the floor for any 15-year-old who is not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement.

But here is the catch: most 15-year-olds work in industries like retail, fast food, or hospitality, which have their own modern awards. These awards often set higher junior rates. For example, the General Retail Industry Award has a specific percentage of the adult rate for juniors, which can be more than the national minimum. So while $9.73 is the legal minimum, the actual rate you see in a job ad may be higher.

When you read a job advertisement, look for the hourly rate or the award mentioned. If the ad says "$12 per hour" for a casual retail position, that is above the statutory minimum, but you should still check the award to make sure it meets the correct junior rate for your age and classification.

How to use the salary index to compare offers

The Salary Index measures full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, with 100 set at $108,352 per year (based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). For a 15-year-old working part-time, your annual earnings will be far below that line. But you can still use the index to see how your hourly rate compares to the national adult minimum wage.

The adult national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, which gives an index of 48.2. Your $9.73 per hour is about 37% of that adult rate. If you are paid $12 per hour under an award, that is about 45% of the adult minimum. The index is not designed for junior or part-time work, but it gives you a benchmark to understand where your pay sits relative to the average full-time worker.

For a more detailed explanation of how the index works, see how the index works.

What about casual loading and super?

Many 15-year-olds work as casuals. Casual employees get a loading (usually 25%) on top of their base rate to compensate for not receiving paid leave. For a 15-year-old on the statutory minimum, the casual rate would be $9.73 × 1.25 = $12.16 per hour. However, if you are under a modern award, the casual loading may be different, and the award might specify a separate casual junior rate.

Superannuation is another important factor. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of your gross earnings. This applies to all employees, including 15-year-olds. So if you earn $9.73 per hour, your employer must also pay an additional $1.17 per hour into your super fund. That money is invested and grows over time.

State and industry differences

While the national minimum wage is the same across Australia, some states have their own industrial relations systems that may affect junior rates. For example, Western Australia has state awards for some industries. However, most 15-year-olds are covered by the national system. You can check state-specific information on our states page.

Industry also matters. The industries page shows that retail trade has an index of 75.9, while accommodation and food services is 72.5. These indices reflect average adult earnings in those sectors. For a 15-year-old, the rates are much lower, but the industry award will set the junior percentage.

Practical tips for reading job ads

When you see a job advertisement, look for these details:

• Hourly rate: Is it clearly stated? If not, ask the employer.
• Employment type: Casual, part-time, or full-time? This affects loading and leave entitlements.
• Award or agreement: Many ads mention the award (e.g., "under the Fast Food Industry Award"). You can look up that award on the Fair Work Ombudsman website to find the correct junior rate.
• Super: The ad may say "plus super" – that means the super is on top of the quoted rate.

If the ad offers a rate below $9.73 per hour for a 15-year-old, that is illegal. You can report it to the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Example: Comparing two offers

Imagine you have two job offers:

• Offer A: Casual retail job, $11.50 per hour, no award mentioned.
• Offer B: Part-time fast food job, $10.00 per hour, under the Fast Food Industry Award.

Offer A is above the statutory minimum of $9.73, but without an award, you might be under the national minimum wage if the job is actually covered by an award. Offer B mentions an award, so you can check the junior rate in that award. The Fast Food Industry Award might set a higher rate for a 15-year-old, possibly around $12–$13 per hour. In that case, Offer B could actually be underpaying you.

Always verify the award rate. Our pay guides can help you understand how to find and read award pay rates.

Tax and take-home pay

If you earn less than $18,200 in a financial year, you pay no income tax (provided you claim the tax-free threshold). For a 15-year-old working a few hours a week, that is likely. But if you have multiple jobs or earn more, you may need to pay tax. The Medicare levy of 2% applies once your income exceeds the threshold, but for most juniors it won't apply.

Your take-home pay is your gross pay minus tax and Medicare. For a 15-year-old earning $9.73 per hour for 10 hours a week, annual gross is about $5,059. No tax is withheld, so take-home is $5,059 plus super of $607.

Final thoughts

The minimum wage for a 15-year-old in Australia is $9.73 per hour, but the real rate you get depends on the award covering your job. Always check the award and don't be afraid to ask questions. The Salary Index is a useful tool for understanding how your pay compares to national averages, but for junior part-time work, focus on the hourly rate and your entitlements.

For more topics related to pay and conditions, visit our topics page.