Award pay rates from 1 July 2026
Minimum pay under every modern award, by classification, with casual, penalty, overtime, junior and apprentice rates. Read from the Fair Work Commission's pay database and refreshed when it changes.
- National Minimum Wage
- $26.44an hour, or $1,004.90 a week, from 1 July 2026
- Typical award rise
- 4.77%to the lowest adult rate, in the Annual Wage Review
- Modern awards
- 155covering 9,584 classifications, junior and apprentice rates included
- Casual loading
- 25%in every one of the 97 awards whose casual tables show it
Where every award starts
Each award's lowest adult rate from 1 July 2026, in the unit it sets rates inThe most looked-up awardsEvery other awardNational Minimum Wage, for employees no award covers
Of the 116 awards that set hourly rates, 51 start below the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 and 8 start at it. An award's rates are the minimum for the people it covers; the National Minimum Wage is the floor for employees no award or agreement covers. The most common starting rate is $25.74, shared by 42 awards. The highest is $34.80 an hour, under the Higher Education Industry—Academic Staff—Award.
Not drawn, as it sits far below the rest: the Supported Employment Services Award, at $8.32 an hour.
Show every award's starting rate
| Award | Lowest adult rate |
|---|---|
| Supported Employment Services Award | $8.32 |
| Australian Capital Territory Public Sector Enterprise Award | $21.86 |
| Nurses Award | $25.69 |
| Airline Operations—Ground Staff Award | $25.74 |
| Alpine Resorts Award | $25.74 |
| Amusement, Events and Recreation Award | $25.74 |
| Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award | $25.74 |
| Aquaculture Industry Award | $25.74 |
| Asphalt Industry Award | $25.74 |
| Cement, Lime and Quarrying Award | $25.74 |
| Cemetery Industry Award | $25.74 |
| Concrete Products Award | $25.74 |
| Corrections and Detention (Private Sector) Award | $25.74 |
| Cotton Ginning Award | $25.74 |
| Dry Cleaning and Laundry Industry Award | $25.74 |
| Fitness Industry Award | $25.74 |
| Food, Beverage and Tobacco Manufacturing Award | $25.74 |
| Funeral Industry Award | $25.74 |
| Gardening and Landscaping Services Award | $25.74 |
| Graphic Arts, Printing and Publishing Award | $25.74 |
| Horse and Greyhound Training Award | $25.74 |
| Horticulture Award | $25.74 |
| Hospitality Industry (General) Award | $25.74 |
| Joinery and Building Trades Award | $25.74 |
| Live Performance Award | $25.74 |
| Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award | $25.74 |
| Marine Tourism and Charter Vessels Award | $25.74 |
| Meat Industry Award | $25.74 |
| Miscellaneous Award | $25.74 |
| Note Printing Australia Award | $25.74 |
| Nursery Award | $25.74 |
| Pest Control Industry Award | $25.74 |
| Port Authorities Award | $25.74 |
| Racing Clubs Events Award | $25.74 |
| Racing Industry Ground Maintenance Award | $25.74 |
| Rail Industry Award | $25.74 |
| Registered and Licensed Clubs Award | $25.74 |
| Restaurant Industry Award | $25.74 |
| Seafood Processing Award | $25.74 |
| Sugar Industry Award | $25.74 |
| Textile, Clothing, Footwear and Associated Industries Award | $25.74 |
| Timber Industry Award | $25.74 |
| Travelling Shows Award | $25.74 |
| Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award | $25.74 |
| Victorian State Government Agencies Award | $25.74 |
| Christmas Island Administration Enterprise Award | $25.77 |
| Wine Industry Award | $25.79 |
| Wool Storage, Sampling and Testing Award | $26.00 |
| Australian Federal Police Enterprise Award | $26.06 |
| Premixed Concrete Award | $26.12 |
| Poultry Processing Award | $26.25 |
| Aluminium Industry Award | $26.44 |
| Children’s Services Award | $26.44 |
| Educational Services (Schools) General Staff Award | $26.44 |
| Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award | $26.44 |
| Gas Industry Award | $26.44 |
| Hydrocarbons Industry (Upstream) Award | $26.44 |
| Mining Industry Award | $26.44 |
| Surveying Award | $26.44 |
| Airport Employees Award | $26.45 |
| Northern Territory Public Sector Enterprise Award | $26.45 |
| State Government Agencies Award | $26.52 |
| Salt Industry Award | $26.57 |
| Commercial Sales Award | $26.59 |
| Electrical Power Industry Award | $26.59 |
| Market and Social Research Award | $26.59 |
| Real Estate Industry Award | $26.59 |
| Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award | $26.67 |
| Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) Enterprise Award | $26.71 |
| Car Parking Award | $26.73 |
| Road Transport and Distribution Award | $26.87 |
| Waste Management Award | $26.87 |
| Banking, Finance and Insurance Award | $26.97 |
| Clerks—Private Sector Award | $26.97 |
| Educational Services (Post-Secondary Education) Award | $26.97 |
| Health Professionals and Support Services Award | $26.97 |
| Cleaning Services Award | $27.08 |
| Contract Call Centres Award | $27.08 |
| Pharmaceutical Industry Award | $27.08 |
| Storage Services and Wholesale Award | $27.08 |
| Telecommunications Services Award | $27.08 |
| Local Government Industry Award | $27.11 |
| Water Industry Award | $27.11 |
| Silviculture Award | $27.14 |
| Hair and Beauty Industry Award | $27.24 |
| Higher Education Industry—General Staff—Award | $27.24 |
| Passenger Vehicle Transportation Award | $27.34 |
| Sporting Organisations Award | $27.49 |
| Transport (Cash in Transit) Award | $27.51 |
| Professional Diving Industry (Recreational) Award | $27.52 |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services Award | $27.71 |
| Fast Food Industry Award | $27.81 |
| General Retail Industry Award | $27.81 |
| Pharmacy Industry Award | $27.81 |
| CSIRO Enterprise Award | $27.89 |
| Mannequins and Models Award | $27.93 |
| Oil Refining and Manufacturing Award | $27.95 |
| Australian Public Service Enterprise Award | $28.00 |
| Telstra Award | $28.00 |
| Australian Bureau of Statistics (Interviewers) Enterprise Award | $28.22 |
| Legal Services Award | $28.24 |
| Dredging Industry Award | $28.27 |
| Security Services Industry Award | $28.42 |
| Ports, Harbours and Enclosed Water Vessels Award | $28.51 |
| Labour Market Assistance Industry Award | $28.64 |
| Parliamentary Departments Staff Enterprise Award | $28.84 |
| Aircraft Cabin Crew Award | $28.88 |
| Coal Export Terminals Award | $28.99 |
| Ambulance and Patient Transport Industry Award | $29.04 |
| Mobile Crane Hiring Award | $29.45 |
| Book Industry Award | $30.74 |
| Marine Towage Award | $31.32 |
| Journalists Published Media Award | $32.13 |
| Medical Practitioners Award | $33.62 |
| Professional Employees Award | $33.71 |
| Higher Education Industry—Academic Staff—Award | $34.80 |
Lowest starting rateHighest
The most looked-up awardsEvery other awardNational Minimum Wage, for employees no award covers
Of the 25 awards that set weekly rates, 6 start below the National Minimum Wage of $1,004.90 and 5 start at it. An award's rates are the minimum for the people it covers; the National Minimum Wage is the floor for employees no award or agreement covers. The highest is $1,597.90 a week, under the Nurses (ANMF - Victorian Local Government) Award.
Show every award's starting rate
| Award | Lowest adult rate |
|---|---|
| Pastoral Award | $893.99 |
| Professional Diving Industry (Industrial) Award | $972.40 |
| Broadcasting, Recorded Entertainment and Cinemas Award | $978.10 |
| Northern Territory News Award | $978.10 |
| Stevedoring Industry Award | $978.10 |
| Printing Industry – Herald & Weekly Times – Production Award | $986.60 |
| Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement Award | $1,004.90 |
| Architects Award | $1,004.90 |
| Metropolitan Newspapers (South Australia and Tasmania) Printing Award | $1,004.90 |
| Nurses and Midwives (Victoria) State Reference Public Sector Award | $1,004.90 |
| Victorian Local Government (Early Childhood Education Employees) Award | $1,004.90 |
| Fire Fighting Industry Award | $1,005.10 |
| Building and Construction General On-site Award | $1,013.50 |
| Chullora Printing Award | $1,013.50 |
| Queensland Newspapers Pty Ltd Printing (Murarrie) Award | $1,013.50 |
| Viterra Bulk Handling and Storage of Grains, Pulses and Minerals Award | $1,021.50 |
| Victorian Local Government Award | $1,030.10 |
| Health Professionals, Medical Scientists and Support Services (Victoria) State Reference Public Sector Modern Award | $1,031.40 |
| Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award | $1,036.80 |
| GrainCorp Country Operations Award | $1,042.20 |
| Aged Care Award | $1,055.40 |
| Road Transport (Long Distance Operations) Award | $1,057.60 |
| Black Coal Mining Industry Award | $1,090.10 |
| Educational Services (Teachers) Award | $1,455.40 |
| Nurses (ANMF - Victorian Local Government) Award | $1,597.90 |
Each award
The 14 awards that set annual salaries start between $49,347 and $57,715 a year. The highest starting salary is under the Victorian Government Schools Award.
Show every award's starting rate
| Award | Lowest adult rate |
|---|---|
| Australian Government Industry Award | $49,347 |
| Maritime Offshore Oil and Gas Award | $50,410 |
| Optus Award | $51,025 |
| Australia Post Enterprise Award | $51,774 |
| Air Pilots Award | $52,257 |
| Business Equipment Award | $52,257 |
| Reserve Bank of Australia Award | $52,425 |
| Victorian Public Service Award | $52,436 |
| Airservices Australia Enterprise Award | $52,448 |
| Australian Broadcasting Corporation Enterprise Award | $52,794 |
| Hydrocarbons Field Geologists Award | $54,143 |
| Victorian Government Schools—Early Childhood—Award | $54,974 |
| Seagoing Industry Award | $57,577 |
| Victorian Government Schools Award | $57,715 |
The awards most people look up
Retail, hospitality, care and the other big awards, from their lowest adult rate to their highest.
| Award | Lowest adult rate | Highest | Latest rise | Casual loading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Retail Industry AwardMA000004 | $27.81an hour | $33.99an hour | 4.75% | 25% |
| Hospitality Industry (General) AwardMA000009 | $25.74an hour | $33.16an hour | 6.01% | 25% |
| Fast Food Industry AwardMA000003 | $27.81an hour | $30.27an hour | 4.75% | 25% |
| Restaurant Industry AwardMA000119 | $25.74an hour | $32.13an hour | 6.01% | 25% |
| Clerks—Private Sector AwardMA000002 | $26.97an hour | $37.24an hour | 4.78% | 25% |
| SCHADS AwardMA000100 | $1,036.80a week | $1,865.70a week | 4.75% | 25% |
| Children’s Services AwardMA000120 | $26.44an hour | $46.12an hour | 5.97% | 25% |
| Aged Care AwardMA000018 | $1,055.40a week | $1,541.90a week | 4.75% | 25% |
| Nurses AwardMA000034 | $25.69an hour | $71.35an hour | 4.77% | 25% |
| Cleaning Services AwardMA000022 | $27.08an hour | $29.45an hour | 4.76% | 25% |
| Security Services Industry AwardMA000016 | $28.42an hour | $31.20an hour | 4.75% | 25% |
| Manufacturing AwardMA000010 | $25.74an hour | $39.83an hour | 6.01% | - |
Find your award
Not sure which award covers you? Search your industry or job, or pick a line of work. Each range runs from the lowest to the highest adult rate, in the unit the award sets it in.
155 awards
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services Award$27.71 to $51.25 an hourMA000115
- Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement Award$1,004.90 to $2,398.60 a weekMA000139
- Aged Care Award$1,055.40 to $1,541.90 a weekMA000018
- Air Pilots Award$52,257 to $236,988 a yearMA000046
- Aircraft Cabin Crew Award$28.88 to $39.36 an hourMA000047
- Airline Operations—Ground Staff Award$25.74 to $37.99 an hourMA000048
- Airport Employees Award$26.45 to $55.40 an hourMA000049
- Airservices Australia Enterprise Award$52,448 to $111,854 a yearMA000141
- Alpine Resorts Award$25.74 to $40.28 an hourMA000092
- Aluminium Industry Award$26.44 to $36.53 an hourMA000060
- Ambulance and Patient Transport Industry Award$29.04 to $41.43 an hourMA000098
- Amusement, Events and Recreation Award$25.74 to $39.76 an hourMA000080
- Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award$25.74 to $48.38 an hourMA000118
- Aquaculture Industry Award$25.74 to $29.45 an hourMA000114
- Architects Award$1,004.90 to $1,604.80 a weekMA000079
- Asphalt Industry Award$25.74 to $29.71 an hourMA000054
- Australia Post Enterprise Award$51,774 to $92,110 a yearMA000137
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation Enterprise Award$52,794 to $131,697 a yearMA000147
- Australian Bureau of Statistics (Interviewers) Enterprise Award$28.22 to $34.65 an hourMA000143
- Australian Capital Territory Public Sector Enterprise Award$21.86 to $91.20 an hourMA000146
- Australian Federal Police Enterprise Award$26.06 to $68.06 an hourMA000142
- Australian Government Industry Award$49,347 to $188,913 a yearMA000153
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) Enterprise Award$26.71 to $84.25 an hourMA000144
- Australian Public Service Enterprise Award$28.00 to $66.54 an hourMA000124
- Banking, Finance and Insurance Award$26.97 to $38.07 an hourMA000019
- Black Coal Mining Industry Award$1,090.10 to $1,539.00 a weekMA000001
- Book Industry Award$30.74 to $54.11 an hourMA000078
- Broadcasting, Recorded Entertainment and Cinemas Award$978.10 to $1,848.00 a weekMA000091
- Building and Construction General On-site Award$1,013.50 to $1,309.50 a weekMA000020
- Business Equipment Award$52,257 to $80,443 a yearMA000021
- Car Parking Award$26.73 to $28.60 an hourMA000095
- Cement, Lime and Quarrying Award$25.74 to $30.36 an hourMA000055
- Cemetery Industry Award$25.74 to $31.83 an hourMA000070
- Children’s Services Award$26.44 to $46.12 an hourMA000120
- Christmas Island Administration Enterprise Award$25.77 to $55.09 an hourMA000149
- Chullora Printing Award$1,013.50 to $1,256.20 a weekMA000127
- Cleaning Services Award$27.08 to $29.45 an hourMA000022
- Clerks—Private Sector Award$26.97 to $37.24 an hourMA000002
- Coal Export Terminals Award$28.99 to $38.12 an hourMA000045
- Commercial Sales Award$26.59 to $29.55 an hourMA000083
- Concrete Products Award$25.74 to $29.45 an hourMA000056
- Contract Call Centres Award$27.08 to $37.24 an hourMA000023
- Corrections and Detention (Private Sector) Award$25.74 to $36.51 an hourMA000110
- Cotton Ginning Award$25.74 to $29.45 an hourMA000024
- CSIRO Enterprise Award$27.89 to $96.86 an hourMA000148
- Dredging Industry Award$28.27 to $38.44 an hourMA000085
- Dry Cleaning and Laundry Industry Award$25.74 to $29.45 an hourMA000096
- Educational Services (Post-Secondary Education) Award$26.97 to $59.48 an hourMA000075
- Educational Services (Schools) General Staff Award$26.44 to $46.64 an hourMA000076
- Educational Services (Teachers) Award$1,455.40 to $2,094.30 a weekMA000077
- Electrical Power Industry Award$26.59 to $52.79 an hourMA000088
- Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award$26.44 to $37.24 an hourMA000025
- Fast Food Industry Award$27.81 to $30.27 an hourMA000003
- Fire Fighting Industry Award$1,005.10 to $1,495.40 a weekMA000111
- Fitness Industry Award$25.74 to $34.89 an hourMA000094
- Food, Beverage and Tobacco Manufacturing Award$25.74 to $30.38 an hourMA000073
- Funeral Industry Award$25.74 to $30.38 an hourMA000105
- Gardening and Landscaping Services Award$25.74 to $30.38 an hourMA000101
- Gas Industry Award$26.44 to $36.89 an hourMA000061
- General Retail Industry Award$27.81 to $33.99 an hourMA000004
- GrainCorp Country Operations Award$1,042.20 to $1,260.70 a weekMA000138
- Graphic Arts, Printing and Publishing Award$25.74 to $32.13 an hourMA000026
- Hair and Beauty Industry Award$27.24 to $32.00 an hourMA000005
- Health Professionals and Support Services Award$26.97 to $65.77 an hourMA000027
- Health Professionals, Medical Scientists and Support Services (Victoria) State Reference Public Sector Modern Award$1,031.40 to $2,656.60 a weekMA000157
- Higher Education Industry—Academic Staff—Award$34.80 to $76.48 an hourMA000006
- Higher Education Industry—General Staff—Award$27.24 to $53.83 an hourMA000007
- Horse and Greyhound Training Award$25.74 to $32.13 an hourMA000008
- Horticulture Award$25.74 to $29.45 an hourMA000028
- Hospitality Industry (General) Award$25.74 to $33.16 an hourMA000009
- Hydrocarbons Field Geologists Award$54,143 to $95,802 a yearMA000064
- Hydrocarbons Industry (Upstream) Award$26.44 to $36.53 an hourMA000062
- Joinery and Building Trades Award$25.74 to $31.30 an hourMA000029
- Journalists Published Media Award$32.13 to $61.12 an hourMA000067
- Labour Market Assistance Industry Award$28.64 to $47.74 an hourMA000099
- Legal Services Award$28.24 to $36.03 an hourMA000116
- Live Performance Award$25.74 to $85.16 an hourMA000081
- Local Government Industry Award$27.11 to $49.09 an hourMA000112
- Mannequins and Models Award$27.93 to $74.78 an hourMA000117
- Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award$25.74 to $39.83 an hourMA000010
- Marine Tourism and Charter Vessels Award$25.74 to $46.48 an hourMA000093
- Marine Towage Award$31.32 to $45.03 an hourMA000050
- Maritime Offshore Oil and Gas Award$50,410 to $96,240 a yearMA000086
- Market and Social Research Award$26.59 to $48.74 an hourMA000030
- Meat Industry Award$25.74 to $30.53 an hourMA000059
- Medical Practitioners Award$33.62 to $84.33 an hourMA000031
- Metropolitan Newspapers (South Australia and Tasmania) Printing Award$1,004.90 to $1,253.20 a weekMA000130
- Mining Industry Award$26.44 to $36.53 an hourMA000011
- Miscellaneous Award$25.74 to $32.13 an hourMA000104
- Mobile Crane Hiring Award$29.45 to $35.38 an hourMA000032
- Northern Territory News Award$978.10 to $1,221.00 a weekMA000129
- Northern Territory Public Sector Enterprise Award$26.45 to $86.00 an hourMA000151
- Note Printing Australia Award$25.74 to $48.31 an hourMA000156
- Nursery Award$25.74 to $35.43 an hourMA000033
- Nurses (ANMF - Victorian Local Government) Award$1,597.90 to $1,891.60 a weekMA000131
- Nurses and Midwives (Victoria) State Reference Public Sector Award$1,004.90 to $3,123.90 a weekMA000125
- Nurses Award$25.69 to $71.35 an hourMA000034
- Oil Refining and Manufacturing Award$27.95 to $39.81 an hourMA000072
- Optus Award$51,025 to $97,194 a yearMA000133
- Parliamentary Departments Staff Enterprise Award$28.84 to $54.46 an hourMA000145
- Passenger Vehicle Transportation Award$27.34 to $33.70 an hourMA000063
- Pastoral Award$893.99 to $1,999.82 a weekMA000035
- Pest Control Industry Award$25.74 to $29.72 an hourMA000097
- Pharmaceutical Industry Award$27.08 to $29.61 an hourMA000069
- Pharmacy Industry Award$27.81 to $52.15 an hourMA000012
- Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award$26.67 to $33.77 an hourMA000036
- Port Authorities Award$25.74 to $78.44 an hourMA000051
- Ports, Harbours and Enclosed Water Vessels Award$28.51 to $34.50 an hourMA000052
- Poultry Processing Award$26.25 to $28.73 an hourMA000074
- Premixed Concrete Award$26.12 to $29.45 an hourMA000057
- Printing Industry – Herald & Weekly Times – Production Award$986.60 to $1,293.50 a weekMA000126
- Professional Diving Industry (Industrial) Award$972.40 to $1,812.50 a weekMA000108
- Professional Diving Industry (Recreational) Award$27.52 to $29.24 an hourMA000109
- Professional Employees Award$33.71 to $59.05 an hourMA000065
- Queensland Newspapers Pty Ltd Printing (Murarrie) Award$1,013.50 to $1,283.10 a weekMA000128
- Racing Clubs Events Award$25.74 to $32.13 an hourMA000013
- Racing Industry Ground Maintenance Award$25.74 to $37.61 an hourMA000014
- Rail Industry Award$25.74 to $52.19 an hourMA000015
- Real Estate Industry Award$26.59 to $33.88 an hourMA000106
- Registered and Licensed Clubs Award$25.74 to $40.53 an hourMA000058
- Reserve Bank of Australia Award$52,425 to $93,616 a yearMA000140
- Restaurant Industry Award$25.74 to $32.13 an hourMA000119
- Road Transport (Long Distance Operations) Award$1,057.60 to $1,198.80 a weekMA000039
- Road Transport and Distribution Award$26.87 to $34.25 an hourMA000038
- Salt Industry Award$26.57 to $30.64 an hourMA000107
- Seafood Processing Award$25.74 to $29.45 an hourMA000068
- Seagoing Industry Award$57,577 to $166,164 a yearMA000122
- Security Services Industry Award$28.42 to $31.20 an hourMA000016
- Silviculture Award$27.14 to $30.13 an hourMA000040
- Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award$1,036.80 to $1,865.70 a weekMA000100
- Sporting Organisations Award$27.49 to $51.13 an hourMA000082
- State Government Agencies Award$26.52 to $53.98 an hourMA000121
- Stevedoring Industry Award$978.10 to $1,362.00 a weekMA000053
- Storage Services and Wholesale Award$27.08 to $29.61 an hourMA000084
- Sugar Industry Award$25.74 to $36.30 an hourMA000087
- Supported Employment Services Award$8.32 to $33.43 an hourMA000103
- Surveying Award$26.44 to $49.09 an hourMA000066
- Telecommunications Services Award$27.08 to $37.24 an hourMA000041
- Telstra Award$28.00 to $50.84 an hourMA000123
- Textile, Clothing, Footwear and Associated Industries Award$25.74 to $31.30 an hourMA000017
- Timber Industry Award$25.74 to $33.06 an hourMA000071
- Transport (Cash in Transit) Award$27.51 to $29.09 an hourMA000042
- Travelling Shows Award$25.74 to $30.38 an hourMA000102
- Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award$25.74 to $32.22 an hourMA000089
- Victorian Government Schools Award$57,715 to $106,659 a yearMA000155
- Victorian Government Schools—Early Childhood—Award$54,974 to $79,286 a yearMA000152
- Victorian Local Government (Early Childhood Education Employees) Award$1,004.90 to $1,799.30 a weekMA000150
- Victorian Local Government Award$1,030.10 to $1,865.60 a weekMA000132
- Victorian Public Service Award$52,436 to $235,491 a yearMA000135
- Victorian State Government Agencies Award$25.74 to $53.98 an hourMA000134
- Viterra Bulk Handling and Storage of Grains, Pulses and Minerals Award$1,021.50 to $1,186.70 a weekMA000136
- Waste Management Award$26.87 to $33.44 an hourMA000043
- Water Industry Award$27.11 to $43.54 an hourMA000113
- Wine Industry Award$25.79 to $31.30 an hourMA000090
- Wool Storage, Sampling and Testing Award$26.00 to $30.87 an hourMA000044
Questions people ask
- What is the minimum wage in Australia from 1 July 2026?
- The National Minimum Wage is $26.44 an hour, or $1,004.90 for a 38-hour week, for employees no award or agreement covers. Most employees are covered by an award, which sets its own minimum for each classification.
- How much did award wages go up on 1 July 2026?
- The typical award's lowest adult rate rose 4.77% in the Fair Work Commission's Annual Wage Review. Some entry-level classifications rose more, to keep pace with the National Minimum Wage. Each award page shows every rate before and after.
- What is a modern award?
- A legal document setting the minimum pay and conditions for an industry or occupation. There are 155 with current rates, covering 9,584 classifications and junior and apprentice rates between them. An enterprise agreement can replace an award's rates if it leaves employees better off overall.
- What is the casual loading?
- An extra amount on top of the ordinary hourly rate, paid instead of the leave and other entitlements casuals don't get. It's 25% in every one of the 97 awards whose casual tables show it. Each award page shows its casual rates.
- Where do these rates come from?
- The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database, which publishes every award's minimum rates, penalties and allowances. We read it daily and update a page when the Commission changes its award. The award itself prevails if the two ever differ.
Source: Fair Work Commission, Modern Awards Pay Database, licensed CC BY 4.0, read 27 Oct 2026 and arranged by The Finance Algorithm. Not endorsed by the Fair Work Commission. National Minimum Wage from the Fair Work Ombudsman. General information, not legal or payroll advice.