Understanding Your Aged Care Salary: Hourly to Annual Conversion Guide
For a full-time aged care worker on the award rate, annual gross pay is roughly hourly rate × 38 × 52, with super paid on top.
How to Convert Your Hourly Rate to an Annual Aged Care Salary
If you work in aged care and want to understand your aged care salary in annual terms, the basic formula is straightforward: multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work each week, then multiply by 52 weeks. This gives your gross annual pay before tax and other deductions.
For a full-time employee, the standard working week is 38 hours. So the calculation becomes:
Annual gross pay ≈ hourly rate × 38 × 52
For example, if your hourly rate is $30, your annual gross pay is $30 × 38 × 52 = $59,280. This is the figure before tax, Medicare levy, and any salary sacrifice arrangements. It also assumes you work the same hours every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances.
If you are paid fortnightly, your gross fortnightly pay is simply your weekly pay multiplied by two. For the example above, weekly pay is $30 × 38 = $1,140, so fortnightly pay is $2,280.
To get a quick estimate, use the timesheet on our home page. Enter your base hourly rate, and if you are a casual worker, check the box to add 25% casual loading. The timesheet will show your annual, monthly, fortnightly, and weekly figures.
The National Minimum Wage and Award Rates
The Fair Work Commission sets the National Minimum Wage, which from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour for a full-time employee working 38 hours. That equates to $1,004.90 per week or $52,254.80 per year. For casual employees, the minimum wage includes a 25% loading, making it $33.05 per hour.
However, many aged care workers are covered by the Aged Care Award or other enterprise agreements, which set higher minimum rates. These award rates vary by classification and experience. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides for each award. You can find links to these on our pay guides page.
It is important to note that the National Minimum Wage is a floor; most aged care roles pay above this. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that the average full-time adult ordinary time earnings in health care and social assistance (which includes aged care) was $2,037.20 per week in May 2026. This is an industry average, not a median for any specific job such as aged care salary. Individual pay will depend on your role, qualifications, and employer.
Casual Loading and Super
Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the base hourly rate to compensate for not receiving paid sick leave or annual leave. When using our timesheet, always enter your base rate without loading, then tick the casual loading box. Never enter a rate that already includes the loading.
Superannuation is paid by your employer on top of your ordinary earnings. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12%. It applies to earnings up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. For example, if your annual gross pay is $60,000, your employer must contribute an additional $7,200 to your super fund. Super is not deducted from your pay; it is an extra contribution.
For more details on super and salary packaging, see our super and packaging page.
Tax and Take-Home Pay
Your take-home pay depends on your taxable income and the tax rates for the 2026–27 financial year. The resident tax scale is:
- Nil tax on the first $18,200
- 15% on income between $18,201 and $45,000
- 30% on income between $45,001 and $135,000
- 37% on income between $135,001 and $190,000
- 45% on income above $190,000
In addition, the Medicare levy is generally 2% of your taxable income. The reduction thresholds for singles in 2025–26 are used here because the 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed at the time of calculation. This means your actual Medicare levy may differ slightly.
To estimate your take-home pay, you can use our take-home pay page. Remember that this estimate does not include HELP repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, or salary packaging.
State Differences in Earnings
Full-time earnings vary across Australian states and territories. The Australian Bureau of Statistics publishes average weekly earnings by state, but precise figures for aged care are not provided here. Generally, the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales report higher full-time ordinary time earnings, while Tasmania and South Australia tend to be lower. These differences reflect variations in industry mix, cost of living, and enterprise agreements.
If you are comparing an aged care salary offer across states, consider that the same hourly rate will produce the same annual gross pay regardless of location, but your cost of living and tax obligations may differ. The average pay page provides national averages, but remember they are not job-specific medians.
Putting It All Together
To summarise, converting your hourly rate to an annual aged care salary is simple: hourly × 38 × 52. But the real value of your pay depends on whether you are permanent or casual, the award rate that applies, your super contributions, and the tax you pay. Use our tools to get a clearer picture.
For the most current minimum wage rates, visit the minimum wage page. And for detailed reference tables, see our reference tables.
Remember, the figures here are estimates. Your actual pay may include penalty rates, allowances, or salary sacrifice that are not accounted for in this simple calculation. Always check your employment contract and consult the Fair Work Ombudsman for award-specific advice.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.