Understanding the minimum wage for a 14 year old and what reaches your bank account

How the minimum wage for a 14 year old works

If you are 14 and looking for a job in Australia, you might wonder what you will actually be paid. The national minimum wage of $26.44 an hour or $1,004.90 a week applies to adult employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. But for a 14 year old, the rules are different. Most young workers are covered by a modern award that sets junior pay rates as a percentage of the adult rate. These percentages vary by award and by age. For example, some retail awards pay 45% of the adult rate at age 14, while hospitality awards may pay 50%. There is no single "minimum wage for 14 year old" – it depends on the job.

Fair Work explains that awards set minimum wages for different industries and types of work, including junior rates. You can find the correct rate using the Minimum wage guide or the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool. Always check the specific award before accepting a job.

What reaches your bank account after tax and Medicare

Your take-home pay is the amount deposited into your account after income tax and the Medicare levy are deducted. Even if your hourly rate is low, you may pay little or no tax because of the tax-free threshold and offsets.

Income tax for 2026–27

For the 2026–27 tax year, the tax rates for residents are:

• Up to $18,200: nil
• $18,201 to $45,000: 15c for each $1 over $18,200
• $45,001 to $135,000: $4,020 plus 30c for each $1 over $45,000
• and so on for higher brackets.

If you earn under $18,200, you pay no income tax. If you earn between $18,201 and $45,000, you pay 15c per dollar above $18,200. The Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) can reduce your tax further. For 2026–27, LITO gives up to $700 for taxable income up to $37,500, then phases out. It can only reduce your tax to zero – you don't get a refund beyond that.

Medicare levy

The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income, but there are lower thresholds for low earners. The latest published single-person thresholds are $28,011 and $35,013. If your taxable income is $28,011 or less, you pay no Medicare levy. Between $28,011 and $35,013, you pay 10c per $1 over $28,011. Above $35,013, you pay the full 2%. Many 14 year olds working part-time will earn well below $28,011, so you may owe no Medicare levy.

Example: take-home for a 14 year old earning junior rates

Suppose you work 10 hours per week at $13.22 per hour (50% of the adult minimum wage). Your weekly gross is $132.20. Annualised: $6,874.40. This is below $18,200, so no income tax. Also below $28,011, so no Medicare levy. Your take-home is $132.20 per week. Super is not deducted from your pay if the job ad says "plus super" – your employer pays super on top.

If you work more hours or get a higher junior rate, use the Take-home pay calculator to estimate your after-tax amount.

Comparing job offers using take-home pay

When you compare job offers, look beyond the hourly rate. Consider:

• Award junior rate – check the exact percentage for your age.
• Hours per week – more hours mean more gross pay, but also more tax.
• Super – your employer must pay 12% super (from 1 July 2026) on top of your ordinary earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. Super is not part of your take-home.
• Allowances and penalties – some awards pay extra for weekend or evening work.

Use the Clearance tool to see how much you keep after tax and Medicare. This helps you compare offers on an after-tax basis.

Key points to remember

• The minimum wage for a 14 year old is not a fixed number – it depends on the award.
• The adult national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week (from 1 July 2026).
• Junior rates are a percentage of the adult award rate.
• Income tax is nil on the first $18,200; Medicare levy is nil on the first $28,011.
• Super is paid by your employer on top of your wage – it does not reduce your take-home.
• Always check your award using the Fair Work Ombudsman's tools.

For more details, see the Super and Tax and Medicare guides. Remember that this is an estimate, not a tax assessment. If you have complex circumstances, consult a tax professional.