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

Multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work per week, then multiply by 52. For a standard full-time role, assume 38 hours per week. For example, $30 per hour × 38 hours × 52 weeks = $59,280 per year. If you are casual, first add the 25% loading to your base rate before calculating.

What is the casual loading rate and how does it affect my pay?

Casual loading is a 25% addition to the base hourly rate to compensate for not receiving paid leave. For example, the National Minimum Wage base rate is $26.44 per hour; with casual loading it becomes $33.05 per hour. This loading is included in your ordinary earnings, and super is calculated on that total.

How is superannuation paid on top of my salary?

Super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary earnings, paid by your employer on top of your gross pay. For example, if your annual ordinary earnings are $60,000, your employer contributes an additional $7,200 to your super fund. The maximum contribution base for 2026–27 is $270,830, so super is capped on earnings above that.

APS 5 Salary: Convert Your Hourly Rate to Annual Pay with Casual Loading and Super

For a full-time employee working 38 hours per week, annual gross pay is hourly rate × 38 × 52. Casual loading adds 25% on top, and super is 12% of ordinary earnings paid on top.

Understanding your hourly to annual conversion

When you know your hourly rate, converting to an annual salary is straightforward: multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work each week, then multiply by 52 (the number of weeks in a year). For most full-time employees, the standard week is 38 hours. This gives you your gross annual pay before tax and other deductions.

For example, if you earn $30 per hour and work 38 hours every week, your annual gross pay is $30 × 38 × 52 = $59,280. If you are paid fortnightly, simply double your weekly pay: $30 × 38 × 2 = $2,280 per fortnight.

This calculation assumes you work the same hours every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. It is a useful starting point for comparing job offers or understanding your earning potential.

The National Minimum Wage and award rates

Australia has a National Minimum Wage set by the Fair Work Commission. From 1 July 2026, the minimum rate is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. For casual employees, a 25% loading applies, making the minimum $33.05 per hour.

Many employees are covered by awards that set higher minimum rates for specific industries. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides for each award. If you are covered by an award, your minimum rate may be above the National Minimum Wage. Always check your award or enterprise agreement.

For public servants, the APS 5 salary is determined by the APS Enterprise Agreement. While not an award, the same conversion formula applies: divide the annual salary by 52 and then by 38 to find the equivalent hourly rate. For instance, an APS 5 salary of $85,000 per year equals about $43.03 per hour ($85,000 ÷ 52 ÷ 38).

Casual loading and super paid on top

Casual loading is an extra 25% on your base hourly rate to compensate for not receiving paid sick leave or annual leave. It is included in your ordinary earnings. When you use our the timesheet calculator, you can check a box to add the 25% loading. Do not type a rate that already includes casual loading – the calculator adds it for you.

Superannuation is paid on top of your ordinary earnings. The super guarantee rate is 12% for 2026–27. This means your employer contributes an additional 12% of your ordinary earnings to your super fund. For example, if your annual ordinary earnings are $60,000, your employer adds $7,200 to your super. The maximum contribution base is $270,830, so super is not paid on earnings above that threshold.

It is important to remember that super is not deducted from your pay; it is an extra cost for your employer. When comparing salaries, factor in the super contribution to understand the total remuneration.

Tax and take-home pay

Your take-home pay depends on your tax bracket and the Medicare levy. For 2026–27, the resident tax rates are:

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 your taxable income. The calculator uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds because the 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed at the time of this guide. HELP repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted in this estimate.

For more details on minimum pay rates and entitlements, see the Fair Work Ombudsman’s payment guide.

Fortnightly pay and other considerations

Many Australian employees are paid fortnightly. To find your fortnightly gross pay, multiply your weekly pay by 2. For example, if your weekly pay is $1,004.90 (National Minimum Wage for 38 hours), your fortnightly pay is $2,009.80 before tax.

Remember that this conversion assumes a consistent 38-hour week. If you work part-time or irregular hours, adjust the hours per week accordingly. Casual employees may have varying hours, so use your average weekly hours for a rough annual estimate.

Using the calculator

Our the timesheet tool lets you enter your base hourly rate and optionally add casual loading. It then calculates annual gross pay, super on top, and estimated tax and Medicare. The results are estimates only – always consult a tax professional for your personal situation.

For more resources, see our pay guides for award-specific rates, or check the minimum wage page for the latest National Minimum Wage.

Summary

Converting an hourly rate to annual pay is simple: hourly × hours per week × 52. For full-time, use 38 hours. Add 25% if you are casual, and remember super is 12% on top of ordinary earnings. Whether you are looking at an APS 5 salary or any other role, this formula gives you a clear picture of your gross income.