Minimum wage Australia 15 year old: what you actually take home after tax

Introduction

If you are 15 and looking for your first job in Australia, you have probably seen the term minimum wage and wondered how much money will actually land in your bank account. The answer is not as simple as a single number. This guide explains the difference between the gross salary you see in a job ad, the total employment package, and your take-home pay after tax and the Medicare levy. We focus on the minimum wage Australia 15 year old workers can expect, and how to avoid common mix-ups.

The national minimum wage and junior rates

Fair Work sets a national minimum wage that applies to employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. From 1 July 2026, that rate is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week . However, most 15-year-olds work in industries such as retail, fast food, or hospitality, which are covered by modern awards. Those awards include junior pay rates – a percentage of the adult rate that increases with age. The exact percentage varies by award and classification. For example, a 15-year-old working in a supermarket may receive 45% of the adult rate under the General Retail Industry Award. Because the percentage differs, the minimum wage Australia 15 year old workers actually receive is not a fixed figure. Always check the relevant award using the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool .

Gross pay vs take-home pay

Your gross pay is the amount before any deductions. Your take-home pay is what reaches your bank account after income tax and the Medicare levy. Many people confuse the two, especially when a job advertisement says “$26.44 per hour plus super”. That means the super is an extra cost to the employer, not a deduction from your pay.

Tax and Medicare

For the 2026–27 tax year, the tax-free threshold is $18,200. If your total annual earnings are below that, you pay no income tax. The Medicare levy of 2% applies to taxable income above the latest published single-person thresholds: $28,011 (lower) and $35,013 (upper). Between those thresholds, a shading rate of 10 cents per dollar applies. For a 15-year-old working part-time, earnings often stay under $18,200, so both tax and Medicare are zero. If you earn more, the tax brackets are:

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

You may also be eligible for the Low Income Tax Offset (LITO), which can reduce your tax to zero up to certain income levels.

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. This is paid by your employer on top of your gross salary. It is not deducted from your take-home pay. If a job ad says “$26.44 per hour plus super”, your take-home is calculated on the $26.44, not on a higher figure.

Example: what a 15-year-old might take home

Let’s assume you work 10 hours per week at the national minimum wage (though your actual rate may be lower under an award). Your weekly gross pay would be $264.40. Over a full year (52 weeks) that is $13,748.80 – well below the tax-free threshold. Your take-home pay would be the full $264.40 per week, with no tax or Medicare deducted. If you work more hours and earn, say, $20,000 a year, you would pay tax on the amount over $18,200: ($20,000 – $18,200) × 0.15 = $270. Plus Medicare of 2% on $20,000 = $400, but only if your income exceeds $28,011 – so in this case no Medicare. Your take-home would be $19,730. Always use the Clearance tool for a precise estimate.

Common misconceptions

• “The minimum wage is $26.46” – No. The correct figure is $26.44 per hour. Never round it up.
• “Super is taken out of my pay” – No. Super is an employer contribution on top of your salary.
• “A salary package is the same as take-home” – A package may include super, car, or other benefits. Your take-home is only the cash after tax and Medicare.

For more detail, see our guides on Minimum wage and Take-home pay.