The Fair Work Commission reviews modern award minimum wages each year. The new rates usually take effect from the first full pay period that starts on or after 1 July. A shift in June can still be on last year’s rate. A shift in the first pay week of July might be too, if that pay week began in June.
What Casual Pay is using now
The calculator and the award pages use the rates that took effect from 1 July 2026. Those are the 2026–27 figures. Penalty percentages did not all change just because the base rate did. A Saturday percentage is applied to the new base, so the dollar rate moves even when the percentage stays the same.
What does not wait for July
An enterprise agreement, a promotion, or a birthday that moves you off a junior percentage can change your pay on some other date. So can a new award classification. Those are not the annual wage review. If your employer’s rate is already above the award, July might change the minimum without changing what you are actually paid.
Check a real shift
Pick your award and enter start and end times — Casual Pay applies the loadings that match that award.
Open the calculator