How is casual loading applied?

Casual loading is an additional 25% 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 (base $26.44 plus 25%). Super is then calculated on the loaded rate.

Does Base Salary Include Super? Understanding Your Hourly Rate and Annual Pay

Q: Does base salary include super?

No, super is paid on top of your base salary. The super guarantee requires employers to pay 12% of your ordinary earnings into your super fund, on top of your base pay. This is separate from your hourly or salary rate.

Q: What is the difference between the National Minimum Wage and an award rate?

The National Minimum Wage is the legal minimum for all employees not covered by an award, currently $26.44 per hour. Award rates are set for specific industries or occupations and are often higher. Most employees are covered by an award, so your minimum pay may be above the National Minimum Wage.

For a full-time employee working 38 hours per week, your annual gross pay is your hourly rate multiplied by 38 hours per week times 52 weeks. Super is paid on top of your base salary, not included in it.

Does Base Salary Include Super? A Guide to Hourly and Annual Pay

When you’re offered a job or negotiating a pay rise, one of the first questions is often “does base salary include super?” The short answer is no. In Australia, the super guarantee is paid on top of your base salary or hourly rate. This article explains how to convert your hourly rate to annual pay, understand the difference between the National Minimum Wage and award rates, and how super fits in.

How to Calculate Annual Pay from an Hourly Rate

The standard formula for annual gross pay is:

Hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks

For a full-time employee, the typical week is 38 hours. So if your hourly rate is $26.44, your annual gross pay is:

$26.44 × 38 × 52 = $52,245.44

This is the amount before tax and before super. Super is added on top at 12% of your ordinary earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year.

If you’re paid a salary, you can work backwards: divide your annual salary by 52 to get weekly pay, then by 38 to get an hourly equivalent. But remember, that salary does not include super.

The Fortnightly View

Many employers pay fortnightly. Your fortnightly gross pay is simply your weekly pay multiplied by two. For the example above, weekly pay is $1,004.90, so fortnightly is $2,009.80. This can help when comparing job offers or budgeting.

National Minimum Wage vs Award Rates

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. However, most employees are covered by a modern award, which sets higher minimum rates for specific industries or occupations. For example, a retail employee may have a higher base rate than the National Minimum Wage. minimum wage

Awards also include penalty rates, allowances, and overtime. The formula above assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, and no penalty rates. For a more accurate estimate, check your award or use our pay guides.

Casual Loading and Super

Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the base hourly rate to compensate for not receiving paid leave. The casual minimum wage is $33.05 per hour (base $26.44 plus 25%). Super is then calculated on the loaded rate. When using our the timesheet (home page), you enter your base hourly rate. A checkbox adds 25% casual loading on top. Never enter a rate that already includes casual loading. casual loading

Super is always paid on top of your total ordinary earnings, including any casual loading. So if you earn $33.05 per hour as a casual, your employer pays 12% super on that amount, not on the base $26.44.

Tax and Take-Home Pay

Your take-home pay is your gross pay minus tax and Medicare levy. For the 2026–27 financial year, the resident tax rates are:

Nil 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

Medicare levy is generally 2% of your taxable income. Use our take-home pay tool for an estimate.

Super on Top: What the Law Says

Under the super guarantee, employers must pay 12% of your ordinary earnings into a super fund. This is on top of your base salary or hourly rate. From 1 July 2026, employers must pay super each payday (Payday Super).

If your employer offers a salary package that “includes super”, that means the total cost to them includes the super contribution. Your base salary is the amount before super. Always clarify whether a quoted figure is base salary or total package.

Average Weekly Earnings

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, average weekly earnings for full-time adult employees is $2,083.70 per week. This is an average, not your rate. Use our average pay page for more.

Summary

Does base salary include super? No. Super is paid on top.
Annual gross pay = hourly rate × hours per week × 52. Assume 38 hours for full-time.
Fortnightly pay = weekly × 2.
National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour; award rates may be higher.
Casual loading is 25% on top of base; super on the loaded rate.
Tax is deducted from gross pay; super is separate.

For a personalised estimate, use our hourly conversion tool or reference tables for current rates.