How do I convert my hourly rate to an annual salary?

Multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work each week, then multiply by 52. For a standard full-time week of 38 hours, the formula is: hourly rate × 38 × 52. This gives your gross annual pay before tax and super. If you are a casual employee, your hourly rate usually includes a 25% casual loading, so use that loaded rate in the formula.

What is the difference between the National Minimum Wage and award rates?

The National Minimum Wage ($26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026) is the base rate for adult employees not covered by an award or agreement. Award rates are minimum wages set for specific industries or occupations and are often higher. Most employees are covered by an award, so check your relevant award on the Fair Work Ombudsman website. Casual employees also receive a 25% loading on top of the applicable minimum rate.

Is superannuation included in my hourly rate or paid on top?

Superannuation is paid on top of your ordinary earnings. The super guarantee rate is 12% of your ordinary time earnings (as of 2026-27), and it is not deducted from your hourly rate. For example, if your hourly rate is $30.00, your employer pays an additional $3.60 per hour into your super fund, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year.

Adecco Salary Guide Insights: Converting Hourly Rates to Annual Pay with Casual Loading and Super

For a full-time employee on the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour, the annual gross pay is $52,254.40 based on 38 hours per week for 52 weeks.

Understanding Hourly to Annual Pay in Australia

When you receive an hourly rate offer or want to compare a salary, the first step is converting that hourly figure into an annual amount. The standard formula used across Australia is:

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

For a full-time employee working 38 ordinary hours per week, this becomes:

Annual gross = hourly rate × 38 × 52

This calculation assumes you work the same number of hours every week, with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. It is a useful benchmark, but your actual pay may vary depending on your award, enterprise agreement, or individual contract.

The National Minimum Wage and Award Rates

The Fair Work Commission sets the National Minimum Wage each year. From 1 July 2026, the rate is $26.44 per hour, which equates to $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. This is the legal minimum for adult employees who are not covered by an award or agreement. Most workers, however, are covered by an industry or occupation award, which often sets higher minimum rates. You can find your award on the pay guides page or check the Fair Work Ombudsman website.

For casual employees, a 25% loading is applied on top of the minimum rate. That means the casual National Minimum Wage is $33.05 per hour (including loading). When using the timesheet, you can check a box to add the 25% casual loading to your base hourly rate. Do not enter a rate that already includes loading; the tool adds it for you.

Using the Adecco Salary Guide as a Reference

The Adecco salary guide provides market salary benchmarks across industries, based on a survey of employers and employees. While useful for understanding trends, it is a general reference and not a substitute for official rates from the Fair Work Commission, the Australian Bureau of Statistics, or the Australian Taxation Office. For example, the Adecco guide may suggest higher salaries for certain roles, but your minimum entitlement is always set by your award or the National Minimum Wage.

Fortnightly and Weekly Pay

Many employers pay fortnightly. To find your fortnightly gross pay, multiply your weekly pay by 2. Using the National Minimum Wage:

Weekly: $1,004.90
Fortnightly: $2,009.80

If you are casual, your weekly pay including loading is $1,255.90 (38 hours × $33.05), and fortnightly is $2,511.80.

Superannuation Is Paid on Top

Superannuation guarantee contributions are not deducted from your hourly rate. Your employer must pay an additional 12% of your ordinary time earnings into a super fund, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year (2026-27). For example, on the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour, the super contribution is $3.17 per hour, making the total cost to your employer $29.61 per hour. This is important when comparing a salary package that includes super versus one that does not.

Estimating Tax and Take-Home Pay

Once you have your annual gross figure, you can estimate tax using the 2026-27 resident tax rates:

$0 – $18,200: nil
$18,201 – $45,000: 15% on excess over $18,200
$45,001 – $135,000: $4,020 plus 30% on excess over $45,000
$135,001 – $190,000: $31,020 plus 37% on excess over $135,000
$190,001+: $51,402 plus 45% on excess over $190,000

Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (generally). For a full-time worker on the National Minimum Wage ($52,254.40 annual), the estimated tax is about $5,416 plus Medicare $1,045, leaving around $45,793 take-home pay. Use the take-home pay page for a more detailed estimate.

Average Weekly Earnings

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports Average Weekly Earnings for full-time adult ordinary time as $2,083.70 per week (May 2026). That equates to an hourly rate of about $54.83 for a 38-hour week. This is a useful benchmark for comparing your offer against the broader market. The Adecco salary guide may show similar figures for professional roles, but always cross-check with official data.

Key Takeaways

Always use your award or the National Minimum Wage as the baseline.
Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the base rate.
Super is paid on top of your hourly rate, not included in it.
The Adecco salary guide is a helpful market reference but not legally binding.
Use the timesheet to convert your hourly rate to annual, weekly, and fortnightly figures, with optional casual loading.

For more detailed pay calculations and award-specific rates, see the reference tables page.