Minimum Wage in Australia for Jobs & Visa Holders

Understanding the Minimum Wage in Australia

The National Minimum Wage in Australia is $24.95 per hour or $948 per week for a standard 38-hour work week. Moreover, the Fair Work Commission of Australia is the supreme authority that revises the minimum wage annually, which is on 1st July of every year. Some of the key pointers to remember here are:

• Casual workers are also entitled to a 25% casual loading, in addition to the minimum wage.
• This casual minimum wage in Australia applies to all workers, whether they are professionals or students.
• The minimum wage is adjusted to reflect changes in the cost of living and to ensure it keeps pace with inflation.

These are some of the important things that you must know about the Australian minimum wage increase. So, it will cover your expenses such as house rent and food costs.

Current Minimum Wage in Australia (2025)

The Fair Work Commission's Expert Panel indicated that the Australian minimum wage increase will be at the rate of 3.5 percent from 1st July 2025, following the 2024-25 Annual Wage Review, $1,669.20 to $49,296 per year.

Talking about the hourly and weekly basis, it will be $24.95 an hour, or $948 per week. If compared to the previous year's wages, this is an increase of $32 per week.

Minimum Wage by Industry or Sector

It is very important to know that the minimum wage rate in Australia varies depending on different industries and sectors. So, go through the table below to get a better understanding of the same.

These are some industry and sector-wise minimum wages in Australia. So, choose the sector accordingly based on your skills.

Minimum Wage for International Students and Visa Holders

While working in Australia, the minimum wage for international students on subclass 500 visas is similar to that of local workers. Things to remember about the minimum wage in Australia are:

• Legal minimum wage: AUD 24.10 per hour or higher in modern awards.
• Work hours: Up to 48 hours per fortnight during the session, unlimited in vacations.
• Visa holders: Must also be paid award wages and receive legal entitlements.

Remember not to get cash-in-hand jobs as it is illegal and can risk your visa. Apart from that, if you work legally, then the minimum wage in Australia after tax is almost similar.

How Australia’s Minimum Wage Compares Globally?

The average minimum wage in Australia is among the top 3 countries, making it comparably higher paying than other major countries such as the US or Canada. Look at the table below to know it better.

Luxembourg is the country with the highest minimum wages. New Zealand sometimes comes above Australia and vice versa.

Tips for Workers Earning Minimum Wage

For the workers earning thecurrent minimum wage in Australia, several things such as budgeting, managing finances, and leveraging resources can improve one’s financial well-being. So, some important tips for the same are:

• Setting a Budget: Creating a budget that includes all the expenses such as rent, utilities, transportation, etc. is important.
• Always Track Expenses: Writing where you spend is an important activity that helps you keep track of your expenses and plan your future spending accordingly.
• Try to Save: Save as much as you can. This practice is important no matter how much you earn. Once a week, you can walk to your work or college, and there are multiple such activities that will help you save.
• Seek Higher Paying Opportunities: Explore a diverse range of jobs so that you can earn well to save more fulfill some basic needs and also get some extra for food and entertainment.
• Develop New Skills: There are several things to do in Australia for which you get paid based on your skills. So, attend workshops and develop some trending skills to get high wages.

Conclusion

This was all about the average minimum wage in Australia. Thus, here it is clear that if you are a professional worker or a student working part-time, you will get a handsome amount for the job in Australia. In this blog, you read about the wages based on different industries and also for different visa holders. Further, in this write-up, you also got the comparison of the wages in Australia to the globe. So, go through the tips given above and start earning in the new country to manage your expenses with ease. You can also look for affordable student accommodation in Australia to save on the rent and spend less on your earnings.

FAQs

1. What Is the Current Minimum Wage in Australia (2025)?

As per the recent commission's decision, the current national minimum wage in Australia is now $24.95 per hour or $948 per week, based on a full-time, 38-hour working week.

2. Does the Minimum Wage Apply to International Students?

Yes, the minimum wage laws generally apply to international students who are working, regardless of whether they are working on or off-campus, and regardless of whether they are working full-time or part-time.

3. Do Casual Jobs Pay More than the Minimum Wage?

Casual jobs do not inherently pay more than minimum wage, but they often offer a higher hourly rate to compensate for the lack of benefits and other perks that regular employees receive.

4. Are there Different Wages for Different Industries?

Yes, wages generally vary across different industries. Factors like industry demand, skill requirements, and the value an industry places on certain roles all contribute to these wage differences.

5. How Often Does the Minimum Wage Change in Australia?

The minimum wage in Australia changes usually once a year, which is around the beginning of the new financial year there.