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

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

When you're 15 and looking for a job, the first thing you want to know is how much you'll be paid. In Australia, the minimum wage for a 15-year-old is set by the National Minimum Wage Order, which gives a junior rate of $9.73 per hour from 1 July 2026. That's $9.73 for every hour you work, before tax and other deductions. This rate is a fraction of the adult national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour, because the law recognises that younger workers often have less experience and may work fewer hours.

But here's the catch: that $9.73 is just the floor. Many jobs are covered by a modern award, which can set a different junior rate. For example, the Retail Award might have its own scale for 15-year-olds, sometimes higher than the national minimum. So when you see a job ad, don't just assume the rate is correct. You need to check what award applies to that job. The Fair Work Ombudsman has a pay calculator that can help you.

How does the minimum wage for a 15-year-old compare to the national line?

The [Salary Index uses a benchmark of 100 to represent full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, which is $108,352 per year (based on ABS data). For an adult on the national minimum wage, the index is 48.2. For a 15-year-old working full-time (38 hours a week), the annual pay would be about $19,222, which gives an index around 17.7. That's well below 100, showing how junior rates are far below the average adult wage. But most 15-year-olds work part-time, so the index is not directly applicable. The index is a tool for comparing full-time adult roles, not a personal pay quote.

Reading a job ad and comparing offers

Imagine you see two job ads: one for a retail assistant at a fast food chain and another for a supermarket shelf stacker. Both might offer a rate for 15-year-olds. The first might say $10.50 per hour, while the other says $9.73. Which is better? The $10.50 is above the minimum, but check if it's casual or permanent. If casual, you get a 25% loading on top of the base, so the base might be $8.40, which is below the minimum. Always ask: Is this rate before or after casual loading? The minimum wage for a 15-year-old is $9.73 base, so if they offer $9.73 as casual, it's fine. But if they offer $9.73 as permanent, it's also fine. The key is to know the base rate.

State differences and awards

While the national minimum wage order sets a floor, some states have their own industrial relations systems, but for most private sector employees, the national system applies. The states page shows how each state's average earnings compare to the national line, but for junior rates, the same national order applies. However, some awards have different junior percentages. For example, the Hospitality Award might set a higher rate for 15-year-olds than the national minimum order. Always check the award.

Super and tax

Your minimum wage does not include superannuation. Your employer must pay 12% of your ordinary time earnings into a super fund, from 1 July 2026. For a 15-year-old earning $9.73 per hour, that's an extra $1.17 per hour. You won't see this in your pay, but it's part of your total compensation. Tax: If you earn less than $18,200 in a financial year, you pay no tax. So if you work part-time, you might not owe any income tax. But if you earn more, you'll pay tax at the resident rates, plus a 2% Medicare levy.

How to use the Salary Index for comparisons

The how the index works page explains that the index is a ratio of your gross annual earnings to the national line of $108,352. For a 15-year-old, your index will be low, but that's normal. The index is more useful for comparing full-time adult roles across industries. For example, retail trade has an index of 75.9, while mining is 154.7. If you're considering a career path, you can see which industries pay above average.

Practical tips for 15-year-olds

• Always ask if the job is covered by an award. If yes, look up the award's junior rates on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.
• If no award applies, the national minimum wage order is your safety net.
• Compare the offered rate to the junior minimum for your age. For 15, it's $9.73 per hour.
• Remember that casual employees get a 25% loading, so a casual rate should be at least $12.16 per hour.
• Use the pay guides to understand typical rates in your industry.

Final thoughts

The minimum wage for a 15-year-old is $9.73 per hour, but many employers pay more. When reading a job ad, don't just look at the number; understand what it includes. The topics page has more on junior pay and award rates. Your first job is a great way to learn about work and money, and knowing your rights helps you get a fair deal.