Introduction
The national minimum wage sets how much an employer who is in the national system can pay an employee.
Content
From 1 July 2023, the national minimum wage is $882.80 based on a week of 38 ordinary hours ($23.23 per hour).
This is the base rate for adult employees in the national system who are award/agreement free. We use it to set different rates (called 'special national minimum wages') for certain types of employees, depending on:
- the type of employment (for apprentices or trainees)
- the employee’s age if they are under 21 years ('junior')
- the employee’s work capacity (if they have a disability).
Full details are in the 2023 National Minimum Wage Order [PR762107].
To understand how we set the national minimum wage, see Annual wage reviews.
How to calculate the special minimum wages
The table is a summary of how to calculate the casual loading and special national minimum wages set by the order. These apply to employees in the national system who are not covered by an award or agreement. The Fair Work Act 2009 calls these 'award/agreement free' employees.
| Wage type | Who this applies to | Amount or rate |
|---|---|---|
| Casual loading | Casual employees | 25% on top of the national minimum wage. |
| Special national minimum wage 1 | Adult employees (aged 21 years or over) with a disability that does not affect their productivity. | The same as the national minimum wage. |
| Special national minimum wage 2 | Employees who:
| The rate is a percentage of the national minimum wage. See Schedule A to the National Minimum Wage Order. |
| Special national minimum wage 3 | Junior employees (under 21 years old) | The rate is a percentage of the national minimum wage, based on the age of the employee. |
| Special national minimum wage 4 | Apprentices | The rate is based on the Miscellaneous Award 2020 (clause 15). |
| Special national minimum wage 5 | Trainees (employees doing a traineeship) | The rate is based on the Miscellaneous Award 2020 (Schedule E). |