If an employee does not have an award or agreement that covers them, then their minimum rate of pay will generally come from a national minimum wage order.

The national minimum wage acts as a safety net for employees in the national workplace relations system to provide minimum rates of pay for employees not covered by awards or agreements.

National minimum wage orders are made by the Minimum Wage Panel of Fair Work Australia. They set out the national minimum wage.

The national minimum wage replaces the Federal Minimum Wage.

From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2010 the national minimum wage is $569.90 per week (before tax), or $15 per hour (as rounded to the nearest 10 cents). Before the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2010, employees covered by the national minimum wage are entitled to be paid at least the previous Federal Minimum Wage rate of $543.78 per week or $14.31 per hour (before tax).

Casual employees who are entitled to the national minimum wage are also entitled to a casual loading. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2010 the minimum casual loading for these employees is 21%. Before the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2010 casual employees covered by the national minimum wage are entitled to a casual loading of 20% (the previous default casual loading).

The Minimum Wage Panel of Fair Work Australia has also set two special national minimum wages for employees with disability. 

Special national minimum wages may also be set for trainees, apprentices and juniors although the Minimum Wage Panel has delayed setting these until its 2010-2011 Annual Wage Review.