What is the current Melbourne minimum wage?

The National Minimum Wage applies across Australia, including Melbourne. From 1 July 2026, it is $26.44 per hour or $1004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. Casual employees receive an additional 25% loading, making it $33.05 per hour.

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

Multiply your hourly rate by your weekly hours and then by 52. For a standard 38-hour week, the formula is: hourly rate × 38 × 52. For example, at the minimum wage of $26.44, annual gross is $26.44 × 38 × 52 = $52,277.44.

Does the Melbourne minimum wage include superannuation?

No. Superannuation is paid on top of your ordinary earnings at 12% (from 1 July 2026) up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. For minimum wage workers, super adds about $6,273 per year to your total employment cost.

Melbourne Minimum Wage: How to Convert Your Hourly Rate to Annual Salary

Based on a 38-hour week, the Melbourne minimum wage (National Minimum Wage) is $26.44 per hour, giving an annual gross of $52,277.44.

Understanding the Melbourne Minimum Wage

If you’re looking at a job offer or trying to budget, knowing how to convert an hourly rate to an annual salary is essential. The Melbourne minimum wage is a key reference point, but it’s important to understand what it covers and what it doesn’t. This guide explains the formula, the role of awards, casual loading, tax, and superannuation.

The Basic Formula

Annual gross pay = hourly rate × hours per week × 52. This assumes you work the same number of hours every week, with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, allowances, or salary sacrifice. For a standard full-time week of 38 hours, the calculation is straightforward. For example, at the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour:

$26.44 × 38 × 52 = $52,277.44 per year.

If you’re paid fortnightly, your gross pay is simply your weekly pay multiplied by two. For the minimum wage, that’s $1004.90 × 2 = $2009.80 per fortnight.

National Minimum Wage vs Award Rates

The Melbourne minimum wage is the same as the National Minimum Wage set by the Fair Work Commission. From 1 July 2026, it is $26.44 per hour for permanent employees. However, many jobs are covered by modern awards or enterprise agreements that set higher minimum rates. Award rates vary by industry and occupation. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides and reference tables to check the correct rate for your job.

If you’re a casual employee, you’re entitled to a 25% casual loading on top of the base rate. That makes the casual minimum wage $33.05 per hour. The casual loading is meant to compensate for lack of paid leave and other entitlements. Never enter a rate that already includes casual loading into the timesheet; instead, use the base rate and tick the casual loading checkbox.

Superannuation Is Paid on Top

Superannuation is not deducted from your hourly rate; it’s paid by your employer on top of your ordinary earnings. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. For a minimum wage worker earning $52,277.44, the employer contributes an extra $6,273.29 per year. This is separate from your take-home pay.

Tax and Medicare

Your gross annual pay is subject to income tax and the Medicare levy. For the 2026–27 financial year, 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 reduction thresholds for singles are based on 2025–26 figures (not confirmed for 2026–27), so this estimate uses those. For a minimum wage earner, tax and Medicare would be roughly $5,000–$6,000 combined, depending on your circumstances. Use the take-home pay tool for a more precise estimate.

Average Earnings in Melbourne

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports Average Weekly Earnings. For May 2026, full-time adult ordinary time earnings were $2,083.70 per week nationally. That’s an average across all industries and states, not a median for any specific job. All employees total earnings (including part-time) averaged $1,579.20 per week. These figures are higher than the minimum wage and reflect the mix of occupations and experience levels.

What the Formula Doesn’t Capture

The annual estimate from hourly × 38 × 52 is a starting point. It doesn’t include:

Overtime or penalty rates (e.g., weekends, nights)
Allowances (e.g., travel, tools)
Salary sacrifice arrangements
HELP or HECS repayments
Medicare levy surcharge (if applicable)

It also assumes you work every week of the year. In reality, you may take unpaid leave or have public holidays. For a more detailed picture, check the hourly conversion and super and packaging guides.

Using the Timesheet Calculator

The timesheet on this site lets you enter your base hourly rate and optionally add 25% casual loading. It then shows your weekly, fortnightly, and annual gross pay, along with estimated tax and super. Remember: always enter the base rate without casual loading, then tick the box if you’re casual.

Summary

The Melbourne minimum wage is $26.44 per hour for permanent employees and $33.05 for casuals. To convert to annual salary, multiply by 38 and then by 52. Super is paid on top at 12%. Tax and Medicare reduce your take-home pay. Award rates may be higher than the minimum, so always check your specific job pay or consult the Fair Work Ombudsman.

This estimate is a guide, not a determination of your actual pay or tax obligations. For personalised advice, speak to a qualified accountant or financial adviser.