Your full time minimum wage Australia take-home pay in 2026–27

How much of the full time minimum wage Australia reaches your bank account

If you are earning the national minimum wage in Australia, you probably want to know exactly what lands in your account after the tax office takes its share. The Fair Work Commission sets the minimum wage each year, and from 1 July 2026 it is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38‑hour week. That works out to an annual salary of $52,255 before any deductions.

This guide walks you through the tax and Medicare levy that apply to a full‑time minimum wage earner in the 2026–27 income year, so you can see your real take‑home pay. We use the official rates from the Australian Taxation Office and the Fair Work Ombudsman.

The national minimum wage in context

The Fair Work Ombudsman explains that the national minimum wage applies to employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. Most people in Australia are covered by an award, which often pays more than the minimum. But if you are award‑free, this is your legal floor. The Fair Work Commission reviews the rate each year, and the 2026 figure is $26.44 per hour.

Calculating your take‑home pay

Your take‑home pay is what remains after income tax and the Medicare levy. Superannuation is not deducted from your pay if your job advertisement says “plus super” – it is an extra payment your employer makes into your super fund.

Income tax for 2026–27

The Australian Tax Office uses these resident tax brackets for 2026–27:

• $0 – $18,200: Nil tax
• $18,201 – $45,000: 15 cents for each dollar over $18,200
• $45,001 – $135,000: $4,020 plus 30 cents for each dollar over $45,000

On a salary of $52,255, your tax before offsets is:

• Tax on first $45,000: $4,020
• Tax on remaining $7,255 at 30¢: $2,176.50
• Total tax: $6,196.50

Low Income Tax Offset (LITO)

You are entitled to the Low Income Tax Offset, which reduces your tax bill. For 2026–27, the maximum LITO is $700 for incomes up to $37,500, then it phases out. At $52,255, your LITO is:

• $325 minus 1.5 cents for every dollar over $45,000
• $325 – (0.015 × $7,255) = $325 – $108.83 = $216.17

So your tax after LITO is $6,196.50 – $216.17 = $5,980.33.

Medicare levy

The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income. Because your income is above the upper threshold of $35,013 (the latest published single‑person threshold), you pay the full 2%:

• Medicare levy: 2% × $52,255 = $1,045.10

Total deductions and take‑home

• Total tax + Medicare: $5,980.33 + $1,045.10 = $7,025.43
• Annual take‑home: $52,255 – $7,025.43 = $45,229.57
• Fortnightly take‑home: $45,229.57 ÷ 26 = $1,739.60
• Weekly take‑home: $45,229.57 ÷ 52 = $869.80

These figures are estimates only. They exclude HELP/HECS debts, the Medicare levy surcharge, salary sacrifice, and payroll tax‑table rounding. For a more personalised calculation, use our Clearance tool.

What about superannuation?

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. On the minimum wage, your employer must pay an extra $6,270.60 per year into your super fund. This is not deducted from your take‑home pay – it is on top of your salary. You can learn more about how super works in our Super guide.

Fortnightly and weekly amounts in practice

Most employers pay fortnightly or monthly. If you are paid fortnightly, your gross pay is $2,009.80 (2 × $1,004.90). After the deductions above, you receive about $1,740 each fortnight. If you are paid weekly, you get about $870.

Remember that these amounts are before any voluntary deductions like union fees or health insurance. Also, if you have a HELP debt, the tax office will withhold an extra 1% to 10% depending on your income. Check our Tax and Medicare page for more details on how the levy and offsets apply.

Why the minimum wage matters for your budget

Knowing your exact take‑home pay helps you plan rent, bills, and savings. The national minimum wage is a benchmark, but many industries pay above it. If you are covered by an award, your minimum rate could be higher – for example, hospitality or retail awards often have higher base rates plus penalty rates for evenings and weekends. Use the Take‑home pay calculator to see your specific situation.