Document Details

Document Id	minimum_wages_(1).pdf
Document Title	Minimum Wages
Reference	https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1iVN7RsQCAXyd5hFWPDrQimw6y5309xIX
Publisher	Fair Work Ombudsman
Categorization	Human Resource Management Compensation & Benefits
Document Source	4079 characters in 0 pages. (pdf)
Tags	minimum wage, National Minimum Wage, Fair Work Commission, employee rights, workplace relations, awards, pay rates, casual loading, apprentices, trainees

This document provides an overview of the National Minimum Wage in Australia, detailing its definition, current rates, and the various categories of employees affected by it. The National Minimum Wage, effective from July 1, 2025, is set at $24.95 per hour or $948.00 per week for adult employees not covered by awards or enterprise agreements. It also discusses the different minimum wage rates applicable to employees with disabilities, juniors, apprentices, and trainees. The Fair Work Commission is responsible for reviewing and determining minimum wages annually, considering submissions and research. The document emphasizes that employees cannot agree to be paid less than the minimum wage applicable to their roles and provides resources for further information, including contact details for the Fair Work Infoline and online services.

The document outlines the National Minimum Wage in Australia, which serves as the base pay rate for employees working ordinary hours. Effective from July 1, 2025, the National Minimum Wage is set at $24.95 per hour or $948.00 per week for adult employees not covered by specific awards or enterprise agreements. Casual employees under this wage also receive a 25% casual loading. The document explains that certain categories of employees, such as those with disabilities, juniors, apprentices, and trainees, may receive lower minimum wage rates based on their circumstances. For instance, employees with disabilities may have their pay adjusted if their productivity is affected. The Fair Work Commission oversees the determination of minimum wages, conducting an annual review that includes submissions from various stakeholders and research commissioned by the panel. The outcome of this review is the Annual Wage Review Decision, which results in a National Minimum Wage Order that applies to award and agreement-free employees. This order specifies the minimum wage for adults, as well as special rates for trainees, apprentices, juniors, and employees with disabilities. The document emphasizes that employees cannot consent to being paid less than the minimum wage applicable to their job, ensuring protection against underpayment. For further assistance, the Fair Work Ombudsman provides resources and contact information, including the Fair Work Infoline and online tools for calculating pay rates. The information is intended to be general and encourages individuals to seek professional advice if they have specific questions regarding their employment situation.

Original content extracted from the source document.

Minimum wages

Overview

Employees cannot be paid less than their applicable minimum wage, even if they agree to it.

What is the current National Minimum Wage?

From 1 July 2025 the National Minimum Wage is $24.95 per hour or $948.00 per week before tax.

This is the adult minimum rate for employees not covered by an award or enterprise agreement. Casual employees covered by the National Minimum Wage also get a 25% casual loading.

Different types of minimum wages

Employees with disability may receive a lower rate if their disability affects their productivity. Lower rates may also apply to juniors, apprentices and trainees.

Pay rates for award and agreement free apprentices and trainees are based on the Miscellaneous Award. All other entitlements come from the Fair Work Act, including the National Employment Standards.

Employees covered by an award

Most employees in the national workplace system are covered by an award. Awards contain the minimum wage, as well as other terms and conditions, for employees in particular industries and occupations.

Minimum wages under awards may include:

pay rates for adults, in some cases, at different rates according to experience and qualifications
pay rates for juniors, employees with disability, and employees to whom training arrangements apply
casual loadings
piece rates.

Award rates are sometimes lower than the National Minimum Wage. For example, introductory rates might apply for a limited time after an employee starts their job.

Fair Work Infoline: 13 13 94

An employee can't agree to be paid less than the minimum pay rates that apply for their job.

For further information on awards, see our Awards section at fairwork.gov.au/awards

To find the minimum wage under an award, you can use our Pay Calculator (PACT) at fairwork.gov.au/pact

Who determines minimum wages?

Every year, the Fair Work Commission's Expert Panel reviews the minimum wages received by employees in the national workplace relations system.

The review considers:

written submissions from interested organisations and individuals
consultations before the Expert Panel
research commissioned by the Expert Panel.

At the conclusion of this review, the Fair Work Commission issues their Annual Wage Review Decision, which includes a National Minimum Wage Order. Any required changes to employees' pay apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July each year.

What is a National Minimum Wage Order?

A National Minimum Wage Order outlines the National Minimum Wage for that year. It only applies to award and agreement free employees.

The National Minimum Wage Order must set the following wages for award and agreement free employees:

a National Minimum Wage for adults
a special National Minimum Wage for:
-trainees, apprentices and junior employees
-employees to whom training arrangements apply
-employees with disability
a casual loading.

For further information about the Annual Wage Review and the National Minimum Wage Order, see sections 285-299 of the Fair Work Act.

Contact us

Fair Work online: fairwork.gov.au

Fair Work Infoline:

13 13 94

Need language help?

Contact the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 13 14 50

Help for people who are deaf or have hearing or speech difficulties

You can contact us through the National Relay Service (NRS).

Select your preferred access option and give our

phone number:

13 13 94

The Fair Work Ombudsman is committed to providing you with advice that you can rely on. The information contained in this fact sheet is general in nature. If you are unsure about how it applies to your situation you can call our Infoline on 13 13 94 or speak with a union, industry association or a workplace relations professional.

Chunk 0 from Page 1 (Overview)

A minimum wage is an employee's base rate of pay for ordinary hours worked. It is generally dependent on the industrial instrument that applies to their employment. For example, an award or enterprise agreement. Employees cannot be paid less than their applicable minimum wage, even if they agree to it.

Chunk 1 from Page 1 (What is the current National Minimum Wage?)

From 1 July 2025 the National Minimum Wage is $24.95 per hour or $948.00 per week before tax. This is the adult minimum rate for employees not covered by an award or enterprise agreement. Casual employees covered by the National Minimum Wage also get a 25% casual loading.

Chunk 2 from Page 1 (Different types of minimum wages)

Employees with disability may receive a lower rate if their disability affects their productivity. Lower rates may also apply to juniors, apprentices and trainees. Pay rates for award and agreement free apprentices and trainees are based on the Miscellaneous Award. All other entitlements come from the Fair Work Act, including the National Employment Standards.

Chunk 3 from Page 1 (Employees covered by an award)

pay rates for adults, in some cases, at different rates according to experience and qualifications
pay rates for juniors, employees with disability, and employees to whom training arrangements apply
casual loadings
piece rates. Award rates are sometimes lower than the National Minimum Wage. For example, introductory rates might apply for a limited time after an employee starts their job. Fair Work Infoline: 13 13 94 An employee can't agree to be paid less than the minimum pay rates that apply for their job. For further information on awards, see our Awards section at fairwork.gov.au/awards To find the minimum wage under an award, you can use our Pay Calculator (PACT) at fairwork.gov.au/pact

Chunk 4 from Page 1 (Who determines minimum wages?)

Every year, the Fair Work Commission's Expert Panel reviews the minimum wages received by employees in the national workplace relations system. The review considers:

written submissions from interested organisations and individuals
consultations before the Expert Panel
research commissioned by the Expert Panel. At the conclusion of this review, the Fair Work Commission issues their Annual Wage Review Decision, which includes a National Minimum Wage Order. Any required changes to employees' pay apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July each year.

Chunk 5 from Page 1 (What is a National Minimum Wage Order?)

A National Minimum Wage Order outlines the National Minimum Wage for that year. It only applies to award and agreement free employees. The National Minimum Wage Order must set the following wages for award and agreement free employees:

a National Minimum Wage for adults
a special National Minimum Wage for:
-trainees, apprentices and junior employees
-employees to whom training arrangements apply
-employees with disability
a casual loading. For further information about the Annual Wage Review and the National Minimum Wage Order, see sections 285-299 of the Fair Work Act.

Chunk 6 from Page 2 (Contact us)

Fair Work online: fairwork.gov.au Fair Work Infoline: 13 13 94 Need language help? Contact the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 13 14 50 Help for people who are deaf or have hearing or speech difficulties You can contact us through the National Relay Service (NRS). Select your preferred access option and give our phone number: 13 13 94 The Fair Work Ombudsman is committed to providing you with advice that you can rely on. The information contained in this fact sheet is general in nature. If you are unsure about how it applies to your situation you can call our Infoline on 13 13 94 or speak with a union, industry association or a workplace relations professional. Last updated: July 2025 © Copyright Fair Work Ombudsman

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