New National Minimum Wage Rates Announced for 1 March 2026

Posted 05 February 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category Labour

Brought to you by SA Accounting Academy: The Department of Employment and Labour has announced an increase to the national minimum wage, raising the baseline rate to R30,23 per ordinary hour with effect from 1 March 2026.

In terms of the National Minimum Wage Act, No. 9 of 2018, the Minister of Employment and Labour has published Government Notice No. R7083 in Government Gazette No. 54075 (Regulation Gazette No. 11941). The notice establishes the new statutory minimum wage rates for all employees across South Africa who are not regulated by alternative bargaining council agreements.

The updated wage schedule, which takes effect on 1 March 2026, details the following rate adjustments:

  • General baseline: R30,23 per ordinary hour worked (increased from R28,79).
  • Farm workers: Aligned with the baseline at R30,23 per ordinary hour.
  • Domestic workers: Aligned with the baseline at R30,23 per ordinary hour.
  • Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP): R16,62 per ordinary hour (increased from R15,83).

Click here to download the 5-page Gazetted document.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: No direct individual obligations; professional compliance advisers must update internal payroll calculators and advisory materials to reflect the R30,23 hourly rate.
  • For your business: Employers must update payroll systems, employment contracts, and budgets before 1 March 2026 to ensure compliance with the new statutory minimum rates and avoid penalties under the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, No. 75 of 1997.
  • For your clients: Advise clients employing farm workers, domestic workers, or general staff not covered by bargaining councils to adjust their wage structures to at least R30,23 per hour, and ensure EPWP employers adjust to R16,62 per hour.

Originally published at https://accountingacademy.co.za/news/read/new-increased-minimum-wage-effective-from-1-march-2026

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