What is the National Minimum Wage in 2026–27?

From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38‑hour week. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the minimum casual rate $33.05 per hour. This is the legal floor; most awards and agreements pay more.

How is casual loading applied for accountants?

If you are a casual accountant, your employer must pay a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate under the applicable award or agreement. For example, if the award rate is $31.11 per hour (Clerks Award Level 3), the casual rate becomes $38.89. The loading compensates for missing paid leave and other entitlements.

How does superannuation affect my accountant salary Melbourne?

Superannuation is paid on top of your ordinary earnings at 12% (from 1 July 2026). For a full‑time accountant earning the median $53 per hour, super adds about $6.36 per hour, or $12,567 per year, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. Super is not deducted from your pay; it is an extra contribution to your retirement fund.

Accountant Salary Melbourne: Hourly Rates, Award Pay and Annual Guide

For a full-time accountant in Melbourne, the median hourly rate is $53, leading to an annual gross of about $104,728 based on 38 hours per week, before tax and super.

Accountant Salary Melbourne: From Hourly to Annual

If you are searching for an accountant salary Melbourne guide, you need to understand how hourly rates translate into annual pay, what the law requires, and what the typical market pays. This article uses official data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the Fair Work Commission, and the Fair Work Ombudsman to give you a clear picture.

The Basic Formula: Hourly × Hours × 52

The standard conversion from hourly to annual gross pay is:

Annual gross = hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks

We assume a 38‑hour week unless your award or agreement specifies otherwise. This is the full‑time ordinary hours benchmark under most modern awards. For example, if your hourly rate is $53 (the median for accountants), your annual gross is:

$53 × 38 × 52 = $104,728

If you work 40 hours, the annual figure would be $110,240. The the timesheet on this site lets you enter your own hours and rate.

Fortnightly Pay

Many employers pay fortnightly. To find your fortnightly gross, multiply your weekly pay by 2. Using the $53 rate and 38 hours, weekly pay is $2,014, so fortnightly is $4,028.

National Minimum Wage vs Award vs Market Rates

It is important to distinguish between three pay levels:

National Minimum Wage: From 1 July 2026, $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week). Casual employees get $33.05 per hour including the 25% loading. This is the legal minimum for employees not covered by an award or agreement.
Award minimum rates: The Clerks Private Sector Award 2020 (MA000002) covers many clerical and administrative roles. For a Level 3 clerk, the minimum hourly rate is $31.11 (full‑time). Some accountants may be classified at higher levels. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides for each award.
Market median: According to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025), the median hourly earnings for accountants is $53, and median weekly earnings for full‑time accountants is $2,003. This is well above award rates and reflects experience, qualifications, and the Melbourne market.

Casual Loading and Super

If you are a casual accountant, your employer must pay a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate. For example, if the award rate is $31.11, the casual rate is $38.89. The loading is paid instead of annual leave, sick leave, and other entitlements. Never enter a rate that already includes casual loading into the calculator; use the base rate and check the casual loading box.

Superannuation is paid on top of your ordinary earnings at 12% (from 1 July 2026). For the median $53 per hour, super adds $6.36 per hour, up to the $270,830 maximum contribution base. Super is not deducted from your pay; it is an extra contribution to your super fund.

Tax and Medicare

For the 2026–27 income year, the resident tax rates are:

Nil up to $18,200
15% from $18,201 to $45,000
30% from $45,001 to $135,000
37% from $135,001 to $190,000
45% above $190,000

Medicare levy is generally 2% of taxable income. The tax and Medicare estimates on this site use the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds because the 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed at the time of calculation.

Example: Accountant Salary Melbourne

Let’s put it together for a full‑time accountant earning the median $53 per hour, working 38 hours per week:

Weekly gross: $2,014
Fortnightly gross: $4,028
Annual gross: $104,728
Super (12%): $12,567 per year (paid on top)
Estimated tax (2026–27): approximately $24,167 (including Medicare)
Estimated take‑home pay: $80,561 per year

This is an estimate. Your actual pay may differ due to unpaid overtime, penalty rates, allowances, salary sacrifice, or enterprise agreements. The reference tables on this site provide more detail on tax brackets and super caps.

Important Disclaimer

The annual pay shown here is hourly rate × hours per week × 52. It assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. Super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings only, paid on top, and stops at the $270,830 maximum contribution base. Tax is the 2026–27 resident scale with the full tax‑free threshold. Medicare uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds because the 2026–27 reduction thresholds were not confirmed here. HELP, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted. This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax.

For the most accurate picture, use the the timesheet to enter your own rate and hours, and consult the Fair Work Ombudsman for your award or agreement.