A 15-year-old working at McDonald's in Australia under the Fast Food Industry Award is typically paid an hourly rate ranging from approximately $10.62 to $14.06, depending on their employment status (full-time, part-time, or casual) and the specific time of day or week they work.
Ages 14-16: Teenagers often need more money for social activities, clothes, and tech. They may receive £10-£15 per week, or around £40-£60 monthly. Many parents start linking allowances to clear expectations, like helping at home or maintaining good school habits.
A 15-year-old at Hungry Jack's in Australia would typically earn a junior rate, often around $10.70 to $12.00+ per hour on weekdays, with higher weekend penalty rates, varying based on location, specific role (casual/part-time), and current Fast Food Award rates, but expect it to be significantly less than adult wages, reflecting a percentage of the full minimum wage.
What is the minimum age policy at McDonald's? We apply a minimum age policy of 14 years, except where State specific legislation applies (refer below). This ensures McDonald's restaurants provide a safe work environment, whilst supporting the academic commitments of young people.
McDonald's pay for 15-year-olds varies by location (like Australia vs. US), but generally follows minimum wage or award rates, often a percentage of adult pay, with Australian rates around AUD $10.70-$15+ hourly depending on days/weekends, while in the US, it's closer to the minimum wage, but higher with experience or in specific states, often starting low for entry-level roles.
Yes, Kmart generally hires 15-year-olds, though specific ages and roles depend on local child labor laws and Kmart's internal policies, with many starting around 14 and 9 months or 15, often in part-time roles like customer service or stock work. You must check your specific state/territory's laws and Kmart's application guidelines for precise details, as requirements vary.
In Australia, a 15-year-old's minimum wage depends on whether they are covered by a Modern Award or not; if not, they receive a percentage of the national minimum wage (around $9.18/hour or 36.8% for <16s), but under specific awards like retail, they might earn more, such as $11.95/hour (45%) as of July 2025, with exact rates found via the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay Calculator.
Big W pays 15-year-olds according to the ~Retail Award for junior casuals, which is a percentage of the adult rate, meaning it changes, but historically has been around $12-$13/hour (around 2020), while newer data suggests closer to $15-$20+ for entry-level roles, but you must check the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay Calculator with your specific age, award (Retail & Fast Food Award 2020), and role for the exact current rate, as it's a percentage-based minimum.
Kmart pay for 15-year-olds in Australia varies by award, but it's generally a percentage of the adult rate, often around $12-$14 per hour during weekdays and more on weekends/evenings, with casual roles potentially paying slightly more, though it depends heavily on the specific Retail Award or Enterprise Agreement. For example, some reports mention rates like $12.04/hr in 2020, while others suggest newer rates around $14.70/hr for casual weekday shifts, with higher weekend/after-hours pay.
You generally need to be at least 15 to work at Coles supermarkets in Australia, though some states might allow it at 14 with parental permission and specific role limitations (like collecting trolleys or delivering flyers). Coles often requires you to be 15 for general roles, 16 for Coles Services, and 18 for Liquor or Coles Express jobs, but it depends on state laws and store availability, so check Coles' careers site for specifics.
Under 15: $9.18 per hour. Age 15: Minimum wage Australia for 15 year old is $9.18 per hour. Age 16: Minimum wage Australia 16 year old earns $11.80 per hour. Age 17: $14.42 per hour.
TL;DR: how to make money as a teenager
Teens can cash in offline with classics like babysitting, dog walking, lawn mowing or tutoring. Online, they can turn hobbies into income through content creation, YouTube channels, gaming streams, virtual assistance and selling products.
Average allowance for kids and teens
Here are some general guidelines: Ages 6 - 9: $5-$8 per week. Ages 10-12: $9-$12 per week. Ages 13-17: $12-$28 per week.
A 15 year old can do multiple things with his/her money like: Save for future goals. Invest in education. Build an emergency fund.
Highest-Paying Teen Jobs In Summer 2025
Coles pays 15-year-olds based on the Retail Award, which sets junior rates as a percentage of the adult wage, increasing with age; while exact rates change with annual wage reviews (like the July 2025 increase), expect rates around 40-50% of an adult's rate, meaning roughly $10-$13+ per hour, with casual loadings for weekends and nights, and rates are detailed in agreements like the 2024 Coles Retail Enterprise Agreement.
Looking for your first job at 15? Great news, plenty of employers in Australia hire young people for retail, hospitality, fast-food, tutoring, and cleaning jobs. Many roles offer flexible hours, on-the-job training, and weekend shifts so you can earn money while studying.
McDonald's pay for 15-year-olds varies by location (like Australia vs. US), but generally follows minimum wage or award rates, often a percentage of adult pay, with Australian rates around AUD $10.70-$15+ hourly depending on days/weekends, while in the US, it's closer to the minimum wage, but higher with experience or in specific states, often starting low for entry-level roles.
Depends on the age, 14 and 15 year olds get around 8.75 an hour but the pay increases every birthday after your 16th.
Minimum wage
However, not everyone is automatically entitled to get this. Workers under 18 are only guaranteed up to 70% of the national minimum wage, which is €9.91 per hour. Your employer can pay you more than the minimum wage if they want, but they are not required to do so by law.
No, Big W generally does not hire 14-year-olds, as their usual minimum age for employment is 15, though local laws and company policies vary, with some fast-food places hiring at 14 in specific areas, but Big W's parent company (Woolworths Group) typically starts at 15 for roles like Coles, making 15 the safer bet for general retail jobs in Australia.
Yes, Officeworks hires 15-year-olds, generally requiring them to have finished compulsory schooling and be at least 15 years old, aligning with International Labour Organization (ILO) standards, for entry-level team member roles. You can apply online, but expect an online assessment with games and a video interview as part of the process, and remember that specific hours will depend on business needs and local laws.
Yes, a 14-year-old can get a job in Australia, but with significant restrictions: they must have parental permission, can only do light work (like retail, food service, or deliveries) outside of school hours, and must not work before 6 AM or after 10 PM, with specific rules varying slightly by state and territory, so it's essential to check local regulations.