The National Minimum Wage Act (NMWA) provides for a minimum wage for all employees except members of the South African Defense Force, The National Intelligence Agency and the South African Secret Service. The NMWA does not apply to a volunteer who performs work for another person and who is not paid for their services.

The national minimum wage is reviewed at regular intervals, often annually, by the National Minimum Wage Commission which makes recommendations to the Minister of Employment and Labour regarding any adjustments to the national minimum wage.

Any increase to the minimum wage normally applies from the 1st of March every year.