Minimum Wage Australia 2026: What International Students Really Earn
The minimum wage in Australia in 2026 is A$26.44 an hour, after a 4.75% rise from 1 July 2026. For international students, most jobs are casual, so the number that matters is the casual rate of at least A$33.05 an hour. Here is what you should be paid, how many hours you can work, and what to do if an employer pays less.
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Last checked: 29 September 2026. Figures come from the Fair Work Ombudsman, the ATO and Study Australia. Award rates vary, so always confirm your exact rate with the Fair Work Pay and Conditions Tool. This is general information, not legal advice.
Minimum wage in Australia: the new 2026 rates
The Fair Work Commission announced the Annual Wage Review decision on 2 June 2026, with a 4.75% increase to minimum and award wages. From 1 July 2026:
| Rate | Amount |
|---|---|
| National Minimum Wage (hourly) | A$26.44 |
| National Minimum Wage (38-hour week) | A$1,004.90 |
| Casual minimum (includes 25% casual loading) | A$33.05 an hour |
Employers must apply the new minimum wage in Australia from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026. Many student jobs are covered by awards, such as hospitality, retail, cleaning and fast food, and some award rates are higher than the national minimum. Weekend, evening and public holiday penalty rates also vary by award. Use the official Fair Work Pay and Conditions Tool to check your exact rate.
How many hours can international students work?
- 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session. This rule has applied since 1 July 2023.
- Unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks.
- No limit for Masters by research and PhD students.
Count hours across the fortnight, not per week, and include all your jobs together. Keep your own log of every shift.
What you can realistically earn on the minimum wage in Australia
At the casual minimum of A$33.05, working the full 48 hours a fortnight in term time comes to about A$1,586 before tax per fortnight (our calculation from the Fair Work figures). Many students work fewer hours, especially in their first semester, and jobs are not always available. Treat part-time work as help with living costs, not a way to pay tuition.
Compare this with rent. Median asking rent for a unit in Sydney was A$780 a week in June 2026 (Domain), although most students pay much less for a shared room. See our Sydney student cost of living guide.
Tax and super in 2026-27
- Tax rates for Australian residents in 2026-27: no tax up to A$18,200, then 15 cents per dollar from A$18,201 to A$45,000 (down from 16 cents). Whether an international student counts as a tax resident depends on your circumstances, so check the ATO residency test.
- Get a Tax File Number (TFN) and give it to your employer. Without it, more tax is withheld. See how to get a TFN, SIN, NI number or SSN.
- Superannuation: the Super Guarantee rate is 12%. From 1 July 2026, Payday Super requires employers to pay super each payday, and it must reach your fund within 7 business days.
Signs you are being underpaid
- Cash-in-hand pay with no payslip.
- An hourly rate below the award or casual minimum.
- Long unpaid “trial shifts”.
- Being asked to pay money back to your employer (“cashback”).
- Being asked to pay for visa sponsorship, which is illegal.
Your rights as a visa holder
Visa holders have the same workplace rights as all workers in Australia, including the right to at least the minimum wage in Australia or the award rate. The Fair Work Ombudsman states: “Your visa won’t be cancelled if you contact us or ask us for information or help.” You can call the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94, or use the free interpreter service on 131 450.
Wage theft is now a crime
Since 1 January 2025, intentional underpayment of wages has been a criminal offence. Maximum penalties for individuals include up to 10 years in jail, and companies face fines of the greater of three times the underpayment or A$8.25 million. The Fair Work Ombudsman recovered A$453 million for more than 181,000 workers in 2025-26, up 27% on the year before.
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