Understanding the minimum wage for a 19 year old in Australia

What is the minimum wage for a 19 year old?

If you are 19 and working in Australia, your minimum wage depends on whether you are covered by a modern award. Most employees in industries such as retail, hospitality, or fast food are covered by an award that sets specific junior rates for employees under 21. These rates are often a percentage of the adult rate and vary by age and industry. For example, a 19-year-old in the General Retail Industry Award might earn 80% of the adult rate, while in the Hospitality Industry Award it could be 70% or more. Because awards differ, there is no single "minimum wage for a 19 year old" that applies to everyone.

If you are not covered by any award or registered agreement, the national minimum wage applies. As of 1 July 2026, that rate is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week, as set by the Fair Work Commission. This is the absolute minimum an employer can pay you.

How to find your correct rate

Use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool to check which award covers your job and what junior rate applies. Your employer must pay you at least the award rate for your age and classification. If you are unsure, ask your employer or check your award on the Fair Work website.

Take-home pay on the national minimum wage

Let’s look at a 19-year-old working full-time (38 hours per week, 52 weeks per year) on the national minimum wage. The annual salary is $26.44 × 38 × 52 = $52,255 (rounded). This is your gross pay before tax and other deductions.

Income tax for 2026–27

Using the resident tax rates for 2026–27:

• $0 – $18,200: no tax
• $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

Your taxable income of $52,255 falls in the third bracket. Tax on the first $45,000 is $4,020. Tax on the remaining $7,255 ($52,255 – $45,000) at 30 cents is $2,176.50. Total tax before offsets = $6,196.50.

You are eligible for the Low Income Tax Offset (LITO). For 2026–27, LITO is $325 reduced by 1.5 cents per dollar over $45,000. Your reduction = 0.015 × ($52,255 – $45,000) = $108.83. So LITO = $325 – $108.83 = $216.17. This reduces your tax to $6,196.50 – $216.17 = $5,980.33.

Medicare levy

The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income. Since your income is above the single upper threshold of $35,013, you pay the full 2%. Medicare levy = 2% × $52,255 = $1,045.10.

Total deductions and take-home

Total deductions = tax after LITO ($5,980.33) + Medicare ($1,045.10) = $7,025.43.

Annual take-home pay = $52,255 – $7,025.43 = $45,229.57.

Fortnightly take-home = $45,229.57 ÷ 26 = $1,739.60 (rounded).

This is an estimate only. It does not include HELP/HECS repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, salary sacrifice, or payroll tax rounding. Your actual take-home may differ slightly due to your employer’s payroll system.

What about super?

Employers must pay superannuation at 12% of your ordinary time earnings (from 1 July 2026) on top of your salary. Super is not deducted from your take-home pay if your salary is quoted as "plus super". For the national minimum wage, your employer would contribute an extra $6,270.60 per year to your super fund, but that money is not available to you until retirement.

Factors that change your fortnight

Your fortnightly take-home can vary due to:

• Tax brackets: If you earn less than $45,000, you pay less tax and may receive a larger LITO. If you earn more, higher marginal rates apply.
• Medicare levy: If your income is below $28,011, no Medicare levy is deducted. Between $28,011 and $35,013, a shading rate applies (10 cents per dollar over the lower threshold). Above $35,013, the full 2% applies.
• Super: While not a deduction from your pay, super contributions reduce your employer’s cash cost but do not affect your take-home if quoted as base salary.

For a 19-year-old on an award junior rate, your gross pay may be lower than the national minimum wage, which could reduce your tax and Medicare levy. Use the Take-home pay guide to estimate your specific situation.

Summary

The minimum wage for a 19 year old is not a fixed number; it depends on your award. If no award applies, the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour is your floor. On that rate, a full-time worker takes home roughly $1,740 per fortnight after tax and Medicare. Always check your award or use the Minimum wage page for the latest rates.