Minimum Wage in Queensland 2026–27

The minimum wage rate in Queensland

The Fair Work Commission set the National Minimum Wage in the Annual Wage Review 2026, and it applies to employees in the national system from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026. That is the same figure in every state. For the full rate history, junior table and what the award floors are, see minimum wage in Australia.

After-tax figures use the 2026-27 resident tax rates and the Medicare levy for a full-time adult, with the tax-free threshold claimed and no HECS-HELP debt. Income tax is set by the Commonwealth, so the take-home figure is identical in every state. Your employer also pays about $6,271 a year in super on top. Run your own hours through the take-home pay calculator.

Queensland minimum wage 2026

Queensland private-sector employees are in the national system, but state public sector and local government employees remain under the Queensland system, which has its own minimum wage and state awards.

Fair Work Ombudsman: “State public sector and local government employees aren't covered by the national system and remain under the state system.”

The Queensland Industrial Relations Commission's State Wage Case [2026] QIRC 280 (delivered 4 September 2026) increased wages in state awards by 4.75%, increased monetary allowances by the same amount, and set the Queensland minimum wage for full-time employees at $1004.90 a week, operative from 1 September 2026.

That is the same weekly figure as the National Minimum Wage ($1004.90), but the Queensland minimum applies to employees in the Queensland state system (the Commission estimates about 383,000 workers, of whom 333,329 are in the Queensland public sector, which has 99% enterprise agreement coverage). The operative date is 1 September 2026, not 1 July, for the state award and Queensland minimum wage increases.

The Commission noted that employees under 21 who are covered by a Queensland modern award get that award's junior rates rather than the Queensland minimum wage.

Most people are paid above the minimum anyway, under a modern award. Check your award’s rates or the pay rates by job, which apply the same way in Queensland.

Under-21s and apprentices in Queensland

In the Queensland system, an employee under 21 under a Queensland modern award is paid that award's junior rates, not the Queensland minimum wage (State Wage Case 2026, [81]).

Private-sector juniors are in the national system: the junior percentages of $26.44 apply when no award does.

These percentages apply only to employees with no award or agreement (National Minimum Wage Order 2026, cl 8.2). Awards set their own junior scales; see minimum wage by age, or go to a 16, 17 or 18 year old. Apprentice rates are covered in apprentice electrician pay.

QLD public holidays in the 2026-27 minimum wage year

12 whole-day public holidays fall between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027 in Queensland. A full-time or part-time employee who has the day off on a day they would normally work is paid their base rate for those hours: at the minimum wage and a standard 38-hour week that is about $200.94 for the day. If you work the day, your award sets the penalty rate. Dates are from the state government’s own list; the QLD public holiday pay page has 2026 and 2027 in full, plus part-day and regional holidays.

The list shows whole-day, state-wide holidays only. Check the pay page for any regional or part-day holidays that apply to your workplace.

Payroll tax in Queensland: when employing minimum-wage staff triggers it

Queensland payroll tax for 2026-27 starts at $1,300,000 of annual taxable wages, with a headline rate of 4.75%, administered by Queensland Revenue Office. The $1.3 million deduction shrinks by $1 for every $7 of Australian wages above $1.3 million, reaching zero at $10.4 million. Interstate employers get the Queensland share of what is left.

On wages alone, $1,300,000 is about 25 full-time adult employees on the minimum wage ($52,255 each). That is our own arithmetic: super and other taxable wages also count, and groups and interstate apportionment change the test, so a real business reaches the threshold sooner. Use the QLD payroll tax page or the payroll tax calculator for a proper estimate, and the employer cost calculator for the full cost of a worker.

Long service leave in Queensland on the minimum wage

Under the Industrial Relations Act 2016 (Qld), 10 years of continuous service qualifies you to take 8.6667 weeks of leave. Ten years of continuous service earns 8.6667 weeks, rising to 13 weeks at 15 years; past 15 years leave can be taken as it accrues. Between 7 and 10 years a proportionate payment is owed only in defined circumstances — death, illness, domestic necessity, or a dismissal that is not about your conduct, capacity or performance. From 10 years the payment on termination is automatic and covers your full continuous service. At the full-time minimum wage ($1,004.90 a week) 8.6667 weeks is worth about $8,709. Casual and regular part-time employees qualify after the same 10 years. Their entitlement is worked out from hours, not weeks: total ordinary hours ÷ 52 × 8.6667 ÷ 10. Since 30 March 1994 all continuous casual service counts, but a break of more than 3 months between contracts can end continuity. Casuals are paid at the loaded casual hourly rate. Work out your own entitlement with the QLD long service leave calculator.

Where to check or complain in Queensland

National-system employees can ask the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94). For the state-system and state-run matters on this page:

• State wage cases (Queensland Industrial Relations Commission)
• State Wage Case 2026 decision (B/2026/59 and B/2026/60) (Queensland Industrial Relations Commission)
• Queensland Government employment information (Queensland Government)

Minimum wage in other states

The national rate is the same, but the state rules differ:

• Minimum wage in New South Wales: NSW state awards rose 4.75% in the 2026 State Wage Case.
• Minimum wage in Victoria: Victoria is almost entirely in the national system.
• Minimum wage in Western Australia: WA is the only state with its own State Minimum Wage.
• Minimum wage in South Australia: SA payroll tax phases in between $1.5 million and $1.7 million.
• Minimum wage in Tasmania: Tasmanian local government is in the national system.
• Minimum wage in Australian Capital Territory: The ACT is wholly in the national system, with a lower payroll tax threshold from 1 July 2026.
• Minimum wage in Northern Territory: The NT is wholly in the national system, with the highest payroll tax threshold.

Frequently asked questions