From Minimum Wage to Annual Salary: How Casual Loading and Super Affect Your Pay
For a full-time employee on the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour, working 38 hours per week, the annual gross pay is approximately $52,260 before tax and super.
Understanding Your Hourly to Annual Conversion
Converting your hourly rate to an annual salary is straightforward: multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work each week, then by 52 weeks. For a standard full-time role, we assume 38 hours per week, as defined by the Fair Work Ombudsman. This gives you your gross annual pay before tax and super.
For example, if you earn the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour, your annual gross pay is $26.44 × 38 × 52 = $52,260. If you work a different number of hours each week, adjust accordingly. The formula also works for part-time or casual hours.
It can help to think in fortnights: your weekly pay multiplied by two. For the minimum wage, weekly pay is $1,004.90 (38 hours), so a fortnight is $2,009.80 before tax and super.
The National Minimum Wage and Award Rates
The National Minimum Wage (NMW) is the legal minimum hourly rate set by the Fair Work Commission. From 1 July 2026, it is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. This rate applies to employees not covered by an award or registered agreement.
Most employees, however, are covered by an award or enterprise agreement that sets a higher minimum wage for their industry or job. Award rates vary widely and often include penalty rates, allowances, and overtime provisions. The NMW is a floor, not a typical wage. For a more accurate figure for your role, check your award through the Fair Work Ombudsman or use our pay guides page.
Casual Loading: What It Means for Your Rate
Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of their base hourly rate to compensate for not receiving paid leave (annual leave, sick leave, etc.). For the National Minimum Wage, the casual rate is $26.44 + 25% = $33.05 per hour. This loading is included in your ordinary time earnings.
When using our timesheet, you enter your base hourly rate, and a checkbox adds the 25% casual loading on top. Do not enter a rate that already includes the loading. The loading is calculated automatically.
Casual loading is not a bonus—it replaces entitlements. Your annual gross as a casual on the NMW working 38 hours per week would be $33.05 × 38 × 52 = $65,325. That is significantly higher than the permanent full-time equivalent, but you must budget for unpaid leave.
Superannuation: Paid on Top of Your Gross
Superannuation is a compulsory contribution your employer makes into your super fund. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, paid on top of your gross pay. It does not come out of your pocket.
For a permanent full-time employee on the NMW, annual gross is $52,260, so super is $52,260 × 12% = $6,271.20. For a casual on the NMW, annual gross is $65,325, so super is $65,325 × 12% = $7,839. Super is capped at the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year.
Super is separate from your take-home pay. When comparing job offers, consider the total package: gross pay plus super. Our super and packaging page explains more.
Tax and Medicare: What You Take Home
Your take-home pay is your gross pay minus 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
The Medicare levy is generally 2% of your taxable income. For the 2025–26 year, single reduction thresholds apply (the 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed in this estimate).
Using the NMW example: annual gross $52,260. Tax on $52,260: $0 on first $18,200, then 15% on $26,800 ($4,020), then 30% on $7,260 ($2,178) — total tax $6,198. Medicare levy 2% of $52,260 = $1,045.20. Take-home pay = $52,260 - $6,198 - $1,045.20 = $45,016.80. This is an estimate and does not include HELP repayments, Medicare levy surcharge, or salary packaging.
For a more detailed breakdown, see our take-home pay page.
Using the Timesheet and Other Tools
Our timesheet, the home page, lets you enter your base hourly rate and toggle casual loading. It calculates your annual gross, fortnightly pay, super, and estimated tax. You can also explore our reference tables for average earnings and tax brackets.
If you want to compare your rate to industry averages, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reports average weekly earnings. For May 2026, full-time adult ordinary time earnings were $2,083.70 per week, and all employees (including part-time) averaged $1,579.20 per week. These are averages, not medians for your specific job. Our average pay page explains more.
Key Takeaways
- Annual gross = hourly rate × hours per week × 52. We assume 38 hours for full-time.
- The National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour, but most workers are covered by higher award rates.
- Casual loading adds 25% to your base rate. Super is paid on your ordinary earnings, including casual loading.
- Tax and Medicare reduce your take-home pay. Use our tools to estimate.
- Always check your award or agreement for your correct minimum wage.
Remember, this is an estimate. Your actual pay may vary due to overtime, penalties, allowances, or salary sacrifice. For personalised advice, consult a qualified accountant or the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.