Minimum Wage by Year
The national minimum wage applies to award-free and agreement-free employees over 21 years of age. Junior employees, apprentices, and those covered by Modern Awards may receive different rates. The table below shows the hourly and weekly rate for each financial year since 2010.
| Year | Hourly | Weekly (38 hrs) | Increase | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-11 | $15.00 | $569.90 | — | 1 Jul 2010 |
| 2011-12 | $15.51 | $589.30 | 3.4% | 1 Jul 2011 |
| 2012-13 | $15.96 | $606.40 | 2.9% | 1 Jul 2012 |
| 2013-14 | $16.37 | $622.20 | 2.6% | 1 Jul 2013 |
| 2014-15 | $16.87 | $640.90 | 3.0% | 1 Jul 2014 |
| 2015-16 | $17.29 | $656.90 | 2.5% | 1 Jul 2015 |
| 2016-17 | $17.70 | $672.70 | 2.4% | 1 Jul 2016 |
| 2017-18 | $18.29 | $694.90 | 3.3% | 1 Jul 2017 |
| 2018-19 | $18.93 | $719.20 | 3.5% | 1 Jul 2018 |
| 2019-20 | $19.49 | $740.80 | 3.0% | 1 Jul 2019 |
| 2020-21 | $19.84 | $753.80 | 1.75% | 1 Jul 2020 |
| 2021-22 | $20.33 | $772.60 | 2.5% | 1 Jul 2021 |
| 2022-23 | $21.38 | $812.60 | 5.2% | 1 Jul 2022 |
| 2023-24 | $23.23 | $882.80 | 8.65% | 1 Jul 2023 |
| 2024-25 | $24.10 | $915.90 | 3.75% | 1 Jul 2024 |
| 2025-26 | TBD | TBD | TBD | Jun 2025 (expected) |
Weekly rate based on 38 ordinary hours. Source: Fair Work Commission National Minimum Wage Orders. FY2025-26 rate will be announced in the FWC Annual Wage Review (expected June 2025).
Minimum Wage vs Inflation
In most years, the FWC has increased the minimum wage at or above the rate of CPI inflation, preserving real purchasing power for minimum wage workers. However, there are notable exceptions:
- FY2020-21 (1.75% increase): The smallest increase in over a decade, reflecting the economic uncertainty of COVID-19. Annual CPI at the time was running at approximately 1.1%, so the real increase was modest but positive.
- FY2022-23 (5.2% increase): A significant jump as the FWC responded to rising cost-of-living pressures. Annual CPI was running at 6.1%, meaning the real wage fell slightly despite the large nominal increase.
- FY2023-24 (8.65% increase): The largest increase in the dataset. The FWC explicitly aimed to restore real wages after the inflation shock, citing CPI of 7.0% at the time of the decision. This was the first time the increase significantly exceeded CPI since 2010.
- FY2024-25 (3.75% increase): A return to more moderate increases as inflation eased to approximately 3.6%. The real wage gain was modest at roughly 0.1–0.2 percentage points.
Over the full 15-year period from 2010 to 2024, the minimum wage rose from $15.00 to $24.10 per hour — an increase of 60.7%. Over the same period, cumulative CPI inflation was approximately 40–45%, meaning minimum wage workers have maintained and slightly improved their real purchasing power.
How the Fair Work Commission Sets the Minimum Wage
The FWC conducts an Annual Wage Review every year, as required by the Fair Work Act 2009. The review process runs from approximately January to June, with the new rate taking effect on 1 July. Key features of the process:
- Submissions: The Australian Government, employer groups (e.g., Ai Group, ACCI), unions (ACTU), and community organisations submit evidence and arguments for or against a particular increase.
- Economic analysis: The FWC considers CPI, Wage Price Index (WPI), labour market data (unemployment, underemployment), business profitability, and productivity trends.
- Legislative criteria: The Fair Work Act requires the FWC to consider the needs of low-paid workers, the principle of equal remuneration, economic conditions, and competitiveness of the national economy.
- Decision: A Full Bench of the FWC publishes a detailed decision (typically 100–200 pages) explaining the reasoning behind the chosen increase. The decision applies to both the national minimum wage and all Modern Award minimum rates.
The FWC cannot reduce the minimum wage — it can only maintain or increase it. In practice, even during the 2020 COVID recession, the Commission awarded a small increase rather than a freeze.
Minimum Wage Take-Home Pay
At the current minimum wage of $24.10/hour (38 hours per week), the gross annual salary is approximately $47,628. After income tax, Medicare Levy, and the Low Income Tax Offset, the approximate take-home pay for a resident with no HECS debt is around $40,300 per year or $775 per week.
Use our Take-Home Pay Calculator to get the exact figure for your circumstances, including any HECS-HELP debt, private health insurance, or salary sacrifice arrangements.
Want to convert between hourly and annual salary? The Hourly to Annual Salary Calculator handles the conversion instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How this guide works▼
Minimum wage rates on this page are sourced from the Fair Work Commission's National Minimum Wage Orders. Weekly rates are based on 38 ordinary hours. CPI comparisons use ABS Consumer Price Index data. Annual salary estimates assume 52.143 weeks per year.
Sources & References
- 1Annual Wage Reviews— Fair Work Ombudsman
- 2National minimum wage orders— Fair Work Commission
- 3Consumer Price Index, Australia— Australian Bureau of Statistics
Last verified: 14 March 2026. Our content is based on the latest information from official Australian government sources.
Penny Ward
Verified AuthorEmployment & Workplace Rights Editor
B.Com (Hons), Cert IV Financial Planning
Penny is a financial journalist and workplace compliance specialist with over a decade of experience writing about Australian employment law, Fair Work entitlements, and payroll. She has contributed to publications covering industrial relations and personal finance, and previously advised small businesses on award interpretation and pay compliance.
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