Australia Minimum Wage Update November 2025 – New Rates and Centrelink Adjustments by State
From 1 November 2025, Australia’s national minimum wage rises, with most states adopting an hourly rate of $24.95 (approximately $948.00 per week for a 38‑hour week). Western Australia will apply a slightly higher rate of $25.08 per hour (around $953.00 per week). Employers, payroll teams and employees should prepare for the new rates and understand the knock‑on effects for Centrelink income tests and entitlements.
Minimum wage rates by state/territory
| State / Territory | Hourly rate (AUD) | Weekly rate (AUD) — 38 hrs |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | $24.95 | $948.00 |
| Victoria | $24.95 | $948.00 |
| Queensland | $24.95 | $948.00 |
| South Australia | $24.95 | $948.00 |
| Tasmania | $24.95 | $948.00 |
| Australian Capital Territory | $24.95 | $948.00 |
| Northern Territory | $24.95 | $948.00 |
| Western Australia | $25.08 | $953.04 |
Centrelink adjustments and effects
Higher wages affect income‑tested payments. Centrelink will update income test thresholds and taper rates for payments such as JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment and Disability Support Pension to reflect higher wages, helping to prevent low‑income workers from losing essential support immediately due to wage increases. Recipients should review their entitlements and report income changes through myGov to keep payments accurate.
Who benefits from the increase?
- Adult employees (21 years and over) generally receive the full adult minimum wage.
- Casual workers are entitled to casual loading (commonly 25%), applied on top of the base rate unless enterprise agreements specify otherwise.
- Apprentices, trainees and junior workers receive rates or percentages appropriate to their age and training stage.
Employer checklist — prepare payroll
- Update payroll systems to the new hourly and weekly rates effective 1 November 2025.
- Confirm award, enterprise agreement and contract requirements (casual loading, penalties, allowances).
- Notify staff of pay changes and any impact on take‑home pay.
- Review reporting obligations for Centrelink and tax implications.
Summary: key points
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| National minimum wage (most states) | $24.95 / hour — approx. $948.00 / week (38 hrs) |
| Western Australia | $25.08 / hour — approx. $953.04 / week (38 hrs) |
| Effective date | 1 November 2025 |
| Centrelink | Income test thresholds updated to reflect wage changes |
FAQs
1. When do the new wage rates apply?
The new rates should be implemented by employers from 1 November 2025. Check your award or agreement for any transitional details.
2. Will Centrelink reduce payments because of the wage rise?
Centrelink updates income test settings to avoid immediate loss of support for low‑paid workers. Recipients must report income changes — some payment rates may adjust depending on individual circumstances.
3. Who gets the full adult minimum wage?
The full adult minimum wage typically applies to employees aged 21 years and older. Apprentices, juniors and trainees receive different rates depending on age and training level.
Final notes
This wage increase is designed to improve living standards for low‑paid workers while balancing the integrity of income‑tested welfare. Employers should ensure payroll compliance and employees should check their entitlements. Verify these rates and Centrelink changes against official Fair Work and Services Australia guidance before publishing.
