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Understanding your pay in Australia
Australian pay conditions are set by a layered system: federal legislation (the Fair Work Act), the National Minimum Wage, Modern Awards, Enterprise Agreements, and individual contracts. Each layer can only improve on the one below — an employer can't pay less than the Award, and an Award can't pay less than the minimum wage.
Melbourne stonemasons made history on 21 April 1856 when they downed tools and marched to Parliament House demanding an 8-hour workday. They won — making Victoria one of the first places in the world to achieve it. The date is still a public holiday in Victoria (Eight Hours Day / Labour Day).
- Gross vs net pay: Gross is what your employer pays. Net is what lands in your account after income tax, Medicare levy, and salary sacrifice deductions.
- Superannuation: On top of your gross pay, your employer must contribute 11.5% (2024–25) to your super fund. This is separate from your salary — it doesn't come out of your take-home pay.
- PAYG withholding: Employers withhold income tax from each pay and send it to the ATO. Your tax return reconciles the difference at year end.
- Casual loading: Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the base rate to compensate for lack of leave entitlements.
🦘 Fun fact: Australia's minimum wage is one of the highest in the world in absolute terms. As of 2024, it's $24.10/hr — higher than the UK, Canada, Germany, and Japan. The US federal minimum wage has been $7.25/hr since 2009.