How do I calculate my annual salary from an hourly rate?

Multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work each week, then multiply by 52. For a standard full-time role of 38 hours, the formula is hourly × 38 × 52. This gives your gross annual pay before tax, super, and other deductions. Remember that casual loading (25%) is added on top of the base hourly rate if you are a casual employee.

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

Casual loading is an extra 25% paid on top of the base hourly rate to compensate for the lack of paid leave and other entitlements. For example, the National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour for permanent employees, but casual employees receive $33.05 per hour including the loading. This loading is applied before calculating super and annual figures.

How is superannuation calculated on my earnings?

Superannuation is paid on top of your ordinary earnings at the rate of 12% (from 2026–27). It is not deducted from your hourly rate or salary. For example, if your annual gross pay is $50,000, your employer must contribute an additional $6,000 to your super fund, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. Super is calculated on ordinary time earnings, including casual loading if applicable.

Your Best Salary Sacrifice Guide: Converting Hourly to Annual Pay

For a full-time employee working 38 hours per week, annual gross pay is hourly rate × 38 × 52, with super and casual loading added on top.

Understanding Your Hourly to Annual Conversion

When you're offered an hourly rate or a salary, it's helpful to see the full picture: your annual gross pay, fortnightly take-home, and how super and tax fit in. Our calculator at the timesheet lets you enter your base hourly rate and optionally add 25% casual loading. It then estimates your annual, fortnightly, and weekly figures using the standard 38-hour week.

The Basic Formula

Annual gross pay = hourly rate × hours per week × 52. For a full-time employee working 38 hours, that's hourly × 38 × 52. This assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, and no allowances. It's a starting point for comparison.

Fortnightly Pay

Your fortnightly gross pay is simply your weekly pay multiplied by 2. For example, if your weekly pay is $1,000, your fortnightly gross is $2,000. Many employers pay fortnightly, so this figure helps you budget.

National Minimum Wage vs Award Rates

The Fair Work Commission sets the National Minimum Wage, which from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour for a 38-hour week ($1,004.90 per week). However, most employees are covered by an award or registered agreement that may set higher minimum rates. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides for each award. Our calculator uses the base rate you enter; it does not apply award rates automatically. If you are on an award, check your classification rate.

Casual Loading

Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the base hourly rate to compensate for not receiving paid leave. For example, the casual minimum wage is $33.05 per hour ($26.44 × 1.25). Our calculator has a checkbox to add casual loading. Do not type a rate that already includes casual loading; instead, enter the base rate and tick the box. The loading is then applied before calculating annual and super figures. Learn more about casual loading.

Superannuation Paid on Top

Super guarantee is currently 12% of your ordinary earnings, paid by your employer on top of your gross pay. It is not deducted from your hourly rate. For example, if your annual gross is $60,000, your employer contributes an additional $7,200 to your super fund, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. Super is calculated on ordinary time earnings, including casual loading. This is separate from any salary sacrifice arrangements you might have.

Tax and Medicare

Resident tax rates for 2026–27 are: nil on the first $18,200, 15% on the next $26,800 (to $45,000), 30% on the next $90,000 (to $135,000), 37% on the next $55,000 (to $190,000), and 45% above that. Medicare levy is generally 2% of your taxable income. Our calculator uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds because the 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed at the time of preparation. It does not deduct HELP repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, or salary packaging. For a more detailed estimate, see take-home pay.

Best Salary Sacrifice Strategies

Salary sacrifice (also called salary packaging) allows you to forego part of your pre-tax salary in exchange for benefits like a car, super contributions, or electronic devices. This can reduce your taxable income and increase your take-home pay. The best salary sacrifice options depend on your tax bracket and personal circumstances. For example, if you earn above $45,000, sacrificing into super can save you 15% tax (the contributions tax) compared to your marginal rate. However, our calculator does not include salary sacrifice deductions. Use it to find your base figures, then consult a financial adviser or the ATO for the best salary sacrifice setup for you. See super and packaging for more.

Average Earnings vs Your Pay

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports Average Weekly Earnings (May 2026) for full-time adult ordinary time as $2,083.70 per week. This is an average across all industries and states, not a median for any specific job. Total earnings including part-time workers average $1,579.20 per week. Our calculator uses your input rate, not these averages. For industry or state averages, refer to average pay.

Important 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.

Using the Calculator

Head to the timesheet to enter your base hourly rate. If you are a casual employee, tick the casual loading checkbox. The calculator will show your weekly, fortnightly, and annual gross pay, along with estimated tax, Medicare, and super. You can also explore reference tables for quick comparisons. For more on converting hourly rates, see hourly conversion.