From hourly to annual: how the aus minimum wage, casual loading and super on top change your pay
For a full-time employee working 38 hours per week, annual gross pay is the hourly rate multiplied by 1,976 hours.
From hourly to annual: the aus minimum wage, casual loading and super on top
Understanding how your hourly rate translates to annual pay is essential whether you're negotiating a salary, budgeting, or comparing job offers. The formula is straightforward: multiply your hourly rate by the hours you work each week, then by 52 weeks. But the real picture includes the aus minimum wage, casual loading, and superannuation paid on top. This guide explains each step, using the latest figures from the Fair Work Commission and the Australian Taxation Office.
The standard 38-hour week
For full-time employees, the typical working week is 38 hours, as defined by the Fair Work Act. When converting hourly to annual, we use this standard unless you specify otherwise. For example, if you earn the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026), your annual gross pay is:
$26.44 × 38 hours × 52 weeks = $52,269.44
That's your base annual salary before tax, Medicare, and super. If you work part-time or casual, your hours may differ. Our the timesheet calculator lets you enter your actual hours per week.
Casual loading: 25% on top
Casual employees receive a 25% loading on their base hourly rate to compensate for not receiving paid leave. This loading is added to the base rate, not included in it. So if you're a casual worker on the National Minimum Wage, your casual rate is:
$26.44 × 1.25 = $33.05 per hour
That's the rate you'd actually be paid. When using our calculator, you check the "casual loading" box, and it adds 25% to the base hourly rate you enter. Never type a rate that already includes casual loading – always enter the base rate. For more on this, see our casual loading page.
Superannuation: paid on top
Super guarantee contributions are paid by your employer on top of your ordinary earnings. From 1 July 2026, the rate is 12% of your gross pay, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. Super is not deducted from your hourly rate; it's additional. For the minimum wage example above, your employer would contribute:
12% × $52,269.44 = $6,272.33 per year
That's extra money for your retirement. Our calculator shows super separately from your take-home pay. Learn more on our super and packaging page.
The aus minimum wage and award rates
The aus minimum wage – officially the National Minimum Wage – is set by the Fair Work Commission each year. From 1 July 2026, it is $26.44 per hour for permanent employees and $33.05 per hour for casuals (including 25% loading). However, most workers are covered by an award or enterprise agreement that sets higher minimum rates for their industry or job. The National Minimum Wage is a safety net for those not covered by any award. If you're unsure which applies, check your award on the Fair Work Ombudsman website or use our pay guides to find the correct rate.
It's important to note that the figures above are the national minimum – not a median or average for any specific job. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports Average Weekly Earnings for full-time adult ordinary time at $2,083.70 per week (May 2026), which is an average across all industries and states, not the median for your role. For job-specific pay, refer to our job pay resources.
From hourly to annual: the formula in practice
Here's how to convert any hourly rate to annual gross pay:
- Determine your base hourly rate (before casual loading if applicable).
- Multiply by hours per week (use 38 if full-time, or your actual hours).
- Multiply by 52 weeks to get annual gross.
- Add casual loading if you're casual: multiply the annual gross by 1.25.
- Calculate super: 12% of the annual gross (or of the loaded amount if casual).
- Estimate tax using the 2026–27 resident tax rates: nil up to $18,200, then 15% up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, 37% up to $190,000, and 45% above that. Add Medicare levy of 2% (using 2025–26 single reduction thresholds as 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed).
For a quick calculation, use our the timesheet tool. It does all the steps for you, including the fortnightly breakdown.
Fortnightly pay and budgeting
Many employers pay fortnightly. To find your fortnightly gross, multiply your weekly pay by 2. For the minimum wage example:
Weekly: $26.44 × 38 = $1,004.72 Fortnightly: $1,004.72 × 2 = $2,009.44
After tax and Medicare, your take-home pay will be lower. Our calculator shows both weekly and fortnightly estimates. For a detailed breakdown, see take-home pay.
Important notes and limitations
This conversion assumes the same hourly 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 uses 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 award-specific rates, consult the Fair Work Ombudsman. For tax advice, see the Australian Taxation Office. Our reference tables provide additional data on average earnings and minimum wages.
Summary
Converting hourly to annual is simple with the formula hourly × hours per week × 52. Remember to add casual loading if applicable, and super is paid on top. The aus minimum wage is a starting point, but most workers earn more under an award. Use our timesheet calculator to see your annual, fortnightly, and take-home pay, including super and tax estimates.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.