AFL Players Salary List: How Hourly Rates Convert to Annual Pay in Australia
Annual pay is calculated as hourly rate × hours per week × 52, assuming a standard 38-hour week for full-time employees.
Understanding Hourly to Annual Conversion
When you know your hourly rate, converting it to an annual figure helps you compare job offers, budget, and plan for tax and super. The standard formula used across Australia is:
Annual gross pay = hourly rate × hours per week × 52
This assumes you work the same number of hours every week, with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. For full-time employees, the typical week is 38 hours, as set by the Fair Work Commission. If you work part-time or casual, use your actual weekly hours.
The National Minimum Wage and Award Rates
From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1004.90 per week for 38 hours. This is the base rate for adult employees not covered by an award or agreement. Most workers, however, are covered by an award that sets higher minimum rates. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides for each award, listing minimum pay rates, allowances, and penalty rates.
Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the base rate. For the National Minimum Wage, that means $33.05 per hour. The loading is paid instead of entitlements like sick leave and annual leave. Our the timesheet includes a checkbox to add casual loading automatically.
Superannuation and Tax
Superannuation is paid on top of your gross pay. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. So if your annual salary is $80,000, your employer must contribute an extra $9,600 into your super fund.
Tax is calculated using the 2026–27 resident rates:
- Nil on the first $18,200
- 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
- 30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
- 37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
- 45% on income above $190,000
Medicare levy is generally 2% of taxable income. The take-home pay page shows how these deductions affect your net pay.
The AFL Players Salary List
While most Australians are paid by the hour or a fixed annual salary, professional AFL players operate under a different system. The AFL and AFLW Collective Bargaining Agreement 2023–2027 sets total player payments per club, not individual hourly rates. The document outlines that each club must spend at least 95% of its total player payment limit on players. These payments include base salaries, match payments, and additional services agreements.
For example, a first-year draftee in 2023 might receive a minimum payment, while established stars earn much more. The AFL players salary list is not publicly itemised per player, but the aggregate club limits are published. This structure contrasts with the hourly or annual salary models used in most industries. If you are comparing your pay to an AFL player’s, remember that their compensation includes match payments, image rights, and superannuation, and is not directly comparable to an hourly rate.
Fortnightly Pay
Many employers pay fortnightly. To find your fortnightly gross pay, multiply your weekly pay by two. For a full-time worker on the National Minimum Wage:
- Weekly: $1004.90
- Fortnightly: $2009.80
After tax and Medicare, your take-home will be lower. Use our reference tables to see estimates for different income levels.
Putting It All Together
Whether you are on the National Minimum Wage, an award rate, or a salary, the conversion from hourly to annual is straightforward. Always check your award or agreement for the correct minimum rate. The hourly conversion page provides more examples, and the casual loading page explains when the 25% loading applies.
Remember that super is paid on top of your gross pay, so your total employment cost is higher than your salary. Tax estimates are based on the 2026–27 rates and the Medicare levy. For a precise calculation, use our the timesheet tool, which lets you enter your hourly rate, add casual loading, and see annual, fortnightly, and monthly figures along with estimated tax and super.
Key Differences in Ordinary-Time Earnings
The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that full-time adult average weekly ordinary-time earnings were $2083.70 in May 2026. This is much higher than the National Minimum Wage because it includes all full-time employees, many of whom are on award or above-award rates. When you see an “average” salary, remember it reflects a mix of industries and experience levels. Your own rate depends on your award classification, skills, and location.
For a complete picture of your pay, always refer to the Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guides and the Fair Work Commission’s minimum wage page. The super and packaging page explains how salary sacrifice and super contributions affect your tax.
Disclaimer
Annual pay 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.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.