Data Scientist Salary Australia: From Hourly Rate to Annual Pay with Casual Loading and Super
For a data scientist earning $64.50 per hour (ABS average for Professionals), working 38 hours per week, annual gross pay is approximately $127,452 before super.
Understanding the Data Scientist Salary Australia Landscape
When you search for "data scientist salary australia", you will find figures from recruiter surveys and job ads. For a reliable benchmark, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) provides average earnings by occupation. According to the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey for May 2025, Professionals (the broad group that includes data scientists) earned an average hourly total cash earnings of $64.50, with average weekly hours of 32.1 for non‑managerial employees. However, many data scientists work full‑time hours, so we use the standard 38‑hour week for conversion.
To convert an hourly rate to annual pay, use the formula:
Annual gross ≈ hourly rate × hours per week × 52
For a data scientist on $64.50/hour working 38 hours per week: $64.50 × 38 × 52 = $127,452 per year.
This is your gross salary before tax, Medicare, and super. If you are a casual employee, you receive a 25% loading on top of your base rate. That means your casual hourly rate becomes $80.63, and annual gross becomes $159,315. The loading is part of your ordinary earnings, so super is calculated on that higher amount.
Comparing to Award and Minimum Rates
Not all data scientists are covered by a modern award, but if you are, the Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database contains the minimum rates. For example, the Professional Employees Award may apply to some data science roles. The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $33.05 with casual loading. A data scientist’s market rate is well above this minimum, but understanding the award floor is important for compliance.
The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides that list minimum rates for each award. These guides are updated after each Annual Wage Review. For data scientists not covered by an award, your pay is set by individual arrangement or enterprise agreement.
From Hourly to Fortnightly and After‑Tax
Knowing your fortnightly pay helps with budgeting. Multiply your weekly gross by 2. For a full‑time data scientist on $127,452 per year:
- Weekly: $2,451
- Fortnightly: $4,902
If casual, fortnightly gross is $6,127.
Tax and Medicare
Using the 2026–27 resident tax rates:
- $0 – $18,200: Nil
- $18,201 – $45,000: 15c per $1 over $18,200
- $45,001 – $135,000: $4,020 + 30c per $1 over $45,000
- $135,001 – $190,000: $31,020 + 37c per $1 over $135,000
- Over $190,000: $51,370 + 45c per $1 over $190,000
Plus Medicare levy of 2% (single, no surcharge). For $127,452:
- Tax: $4,020 + 30% × ($127,452 – $45,000) = $4,020 + $24,735.60 = $28,755.60
- Medicare: $2,549.04
- Total deductions: $31,304.64
- Net annual: $96,147.36
- Net fortnightly: $3,698
For a casual data scientist earning $159,315:
- Tax: $31,020 + 37% × ($159,315 – $135,000) = $31,020 + $8,996.55 = $40,016.55
- Medicare: $3,186.30
- Net annual: $116,112.15
- Net fortnightly: $4,466
These estimates assume no HELP debt, no Medicare levy surcharge, and the full tax‑free threshold. Use our take‑home pay page for a more detailed calculation.
Superannuation: Paid on Top
Super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings, paid by your employer on top of your gross salary. For a full‑time data scientist on $127,452, that’s $15,294 in super per year, up to the $270,830 maximum contribution base. For a casual on $159,315, super is $19,118. Super is not deducted from your pay; it is an additional contribution to your retirement fund. Learn more about super and packaging.
Casual Loading and Its Impact
If you are a casual data scientist, the 25% loading is a key part of your pay. It compensates for not receiving paid sick leave, annual leave, or public holidays. The loading is applied to your base hourly rate before calculating annual pay. For example, if your base rate is $64.50, the casual rate is $80.63. This higher rate means higher gross pay, but also higher tax. Use our casual loading guide to see how it affects your net pay.
Average Pay Comparisons
The ABS reports average weekly total cash earnings for all employees at $1,611.10 (May 2025). Full‑time adult ordinary time earnings are $2,083.70 per week. A data scientist on $127,452 ($2,451/week) is above the national average. For more context, see our average pay page.
Using the Timesheet Calculator
Our timesheet tool lets you enter your hourly rate and toggle casual loading. It calculates annual, fortnightly, and after‑tax pay automatically. Remember: if you are casual, enter your base rate (without loading) and check the 25% loading box. The tool adds the loading on top. Never enter a rate that already includes casual loading.
For award‑covered roles, check the pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman. For minimum wage information, see our minimum wage page. The hourly conversion page explains the formula in more detail.
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.
For a personalised calculation, use our reference tables or consult a tax professional.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.