Minimum Wage in Australia — What You're Entitled to in 2025
Last updated: June 2026
The National Minimum Wage
The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage each year, effective 1 July. The minimum wage applies to employees not covered by a Modern Award or enterprise agreement that already sets minimum rates.
From 1 July 2025, the national minimum wage is:
- $24.10 per hour
- $915.90 per week (based on a 38-hour week)
Most employees are covered by a Modern Award rather than just the national minimum wage — and award rates are generally higher than the minimum wage.
Modern Awards and Minimum Pay
There are over 120 Modern Awards covering different industries and occupations. Awards set minimum rates for each classification level, plus entitlements for overtime, penalty rates, allowances, and loadings.
Common awards include:
- General Retail Industry Award — retail workers
- Hospitality Industry (General) Award — hospitality workers
- Clerks - Private Sector Award — office and administrative workers
- Building and Construction General On-site Award — construction workers
To find your award, use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool at fairwork.gov.au.
Casual Loading
Casual employees are entitled to a 25% casual loading on top of the minimum or award rate, to compensate for not having access to annual leave, sick leave, and other permanent entitlements.
Penalty Rates
Most awards provide penalty rates for:
- Overtime (usually 150–200% of ordinary rate)
- Weekend work (usually 125–150% for Saturday, 150–200% for Sunday)
- Public holidays (usually 225–250%)
- Shift work (various loadings)
Paying Less Than Minimum Wage is a Serious Offence
Underpaying employees — known as wage theft — is a serious breach of the Fair Work Act. Penalties for employers can reach tens of thousands of dollars per contravention. In some states, wage theft is also a criminal offence.
If you believe you've been underpaid, you can:
- Raise it with your employer directly
- Contact the Fair Work Ombudsman (fairwork.gov.au)
- Lodge a complaint with the Fair Work Ombudsman for investigation
The Fair Work Ombudsman can recover unpaid wages on your behalf and seek penalties against the employer.
What Cannot Be Deducted From Your Pay
Your employer cannot deduct amounts from your pay that would leave you below the minimum wage, unless the deduction is authorised by law (e.g. tax), a Modern Award, enterprise agreement, or by genuine written agreement that benefits you.