If you’re under 21 and working in Australia, there’s a good chance you’re paid on junior rates. Here’s what they are, how they work, and what you should actually be getting paid.
What are junior rates?
Junior rates are minimum pay rates set under Fair Work Modern Awards for employees under 21. They’re expressed as a percentage of the adult minimum wage and increase as you get older. The idea is that younger employees are paid less than adults in the same role, on the basis that they have less experience and typically lower living costs.
Not all awards have junior rates. Some industries and roles pay the full adult rate regardless of age. But in retail, hospitality, fast food, and several other common school leaver industries, junior rates are standard.
The 2026 junior rate percentages (general retail/hospitality as an example)
Under the General Retail Industry Award and Hospitality Industry Award, junior rates are typically applied as a percentage of the adult pay rate. The rates below were current at the time of publishing, awards are updated annually, so always check fairwork.gov.au for the most up-to-date figures before making any decisions.
| Age | % of Adult Rate |
|---|---|
| Under 16 | 36.8% |
| 16 years | 47.3% |
| 17 years | 57.8% |
| 18 years | 68.3% |
| 19 years | 82.5% |
| 20 years | 97.7% |
| 21+ | 100% (adult rate) |
Note: These percentages apply to the base rate before any penalty rates, loadings, or allowances. On weekends, public holidays, and late nights, the same percentage applies to the penalty rate.
The exact percentages and breakpoints vary by award, always check the specific award for your industry at fairwork.gov.au.
The national minimum wage in 2026
The Fair Work Commission sets a national minimum wage each year. From 1 July 2026, the adult national minimum wage is updated annually, check the Fair Work website for the current rate. Junior percentages are applied on top of whatever that rate is.
Common awards for school leavers
Fast Food Industry Award, applies to McDonald’s, KFC, Hungry Jack’s, most fast food chains General Retail Industry Award, applies to most retail shops and supermarkets Hospitality Industry (General) Award, applies to restaurants, cafes, bars, hotels Clerks, Private Sector Award, applies to admin and office-based roles
What to do if you think you’re being underpaid
If you suspect your employer is paying you below the award rate, the fastest check is the Fair Work pay calculator at calculate.fairwork.gov.au. Put in your age, industry, and classification level and it tells you exactly what you should be earning.
If there’s a genuine underpayment, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman at fairwork.gov.au or call 13 13 94. Wage theft is taken seriously in Australia, and the Fair Work Ombudsman has strong enforcement powers.
One important thing to know
Junior rates don’t apply in every role. If you’re doing a trade apprenticeship, your pay is set by the relevant Apprentice or Trainee wage schedule, which is different again. And if your employer pays above the award rate, which many do, they’re not required to bring you down to the junior rate. Junior rates are minimums, not ceilings.
Finding a job that pays fairly starts with knowing your rights. It also helps to find roles that actually suit you, not just whatever’s hiring. RooKi shows you entry-level jobs matched to your career assessment results.