Minimum Wage AU: Convert Your Hourly Rate to Annual Salary, Fortnightly Pay, Tax and Super

Understanding Your Pay: From Hourly to Annual

If you're paid by the hour or considering a salary offer, knowing your annual equivalent helps you compare jobs and plan your budget. The standard conversion is simple: hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks. For full-time work, we assume 38 hours per week, as set by the Fair Work Ombudsman. This gives you your gross annual salary before tax, Medicare, and super.

The Simple Conversion Formula

To calculate your annual gross pay:

• Annual gross = hourly rate × weekly hours × 52
• For a standard 38-hour week: hourly × 38 × 52
• For a 40-hour week: hourly × 40 × 52 (but note that many awards cap ordinary hours at 38; overtime may apply beyond that)

Your fortnightly pay is simply weekly pay × 2. For the minimum wage au, that's $2009.80 per fortnight before tax. Knowing your fortnightly amount helps with budgeting for bills paid fortnightly.

The National Minimum Wage AU

The Fair Work Commission sets the minimum wage au each year. From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour. For a 38-hour week, that's $1004.90 per week or $52,254.80 per year. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making it $33.05 per hour – that's $1256.13 per week or $65,318.60 per year. Remember, casual loading is paid on top of the base rate, not included in it. Our the timesheet lets you tick a box to add casual loading automatically.

This minimum wage applies to employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. If you are covered by an award, your minimum rate may be higher. Always check the relevant award from the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Award Rates and Industry Averages

Many workers are covered by awards that set higher minimum rates for specific industries or roles. The National Minimum Wage is the floor – your award may require a higher hourly rate. If you're not on an award, your employer must still pay at least the National Minimum Wage. The Australian Bureau of Statistics publishes average earnings: in May 2026, full-time adult ordinary time earnings averaged $2083.70 per week (about $54.83 per hour for 38 hours). All employees total earnings averaged $1579.20 per week (including part-time workers). These are averages, not medians for any specific job. Use our average pay page to see broader trends.

Converting Your Hourly Rate: Examples

Let's look at two examples:

Example 1: Minimum wage au (casual)

• Hourly rate: $33.05 (including 25% loading)
• Weekly (38 hours): $33.05 × 38 = $1256.13
• Fortnightly: $1256.13 × 2 = $2512.26
• Annual: $1256.13 × 52 = $65,318.60

Example 2: $30 per hour (permanent)

• Hourly rate: $30.00
• Weekly (38 hours): $30.00 × 38 = $1140.00
• Fortnightly: $1140.00 × 2 = $2280.00
• Annual: $1140.00 × 52 = $59,280.00

Tax and Medicare on Your Annual Salary

Once you have your gross annual figure, you can estimate your take-home pay. The Australian Taxation Office uses a progressive tax scale for residents in 2026–27:

• $0 – $18,200: nil
• $18,201 – $45,000: 15c for each $1 over $18,200
• $45,001 – $135,000: $4,020 plus 30c for each $1 over $45,000
• $135,001 – $190,000: $31,020 plus 37c for each $1 over $135,000
• Over $190,000: $51,370 plus 45c for each $1 over $190,000

Plus the Medicare levy of 2% of your taxable income (with reductions for low-income earners). Our take-home pay page explains the thresholds.

For the minimum wage au annual salary of $52,254.80:

• Tax: $4,020 + 30% × ($52,254.80 – $45,000) = $4,020 + $2,176.44 = $6,196.44
• Medicare: 2% × $52,254.80 = $1,045.10
• Total deductions: $7,241.54
• Take-home: $45,013.26 per year, or about $865.64 per week.

For the $30/hour example ($59,280 annual):

• Tax: $4,020 + 30% × ($59,280 – $45,000) = $4,020 + $4,284 = $8,304
• Medicare: 2% × $59,280 = $1,185.60
• Total deductions: $9,489.60
• Take-home: $49,790.40 per year, or about $957.51 per week.

Note: This estimate uses the 2025–26 Medicare reduction thresholds as the 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed. It does not include HELP repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, or salary packaging.

Superannuation: Paid on Top

Your employer must pay super guarantee of 12% of your ordinary earnings into a super fund. This is on top of your salary, not deducted from it. For the minimum wage au, that's an extra $6,270.58 per year (12% of $52,254.80). However, super is only paid on earnings up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. If you earn above that, the 12% applies only to the first $270,830. Super is not included in your take-home pay but is a valuable part of your total remuneration. See our super and packaging page for more.

Fortnightly Pay and Budgeting

Many employers pay fortnightly. Knowing your fortnightly gross and net pay helps you manage bills and savings. For the minimum wage au permanent employee:

• Fortnightly gross: $2009.80
• Fortnightly tax: $6,196.44 / 26 = $238.32
• Fortnightly Medicare: $1,045.10 / 26 = $40.20
• Fortnightly net: $2009.80 – $238.32 – $40.20 = $1731.28

Using the Timesheet Calculator

Our the timesheet is the easiest way to see your annual, fortnightly, and weekly figures. Enter your base hourly rate, and the calculator shows gross pay for 38 hours. Tick the "casual loading" checkbox to add 25% on top. The calculator then estimates tax, Medicare, and super. It assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. Always check your specific award or agreement for exact conditions.

Comparing Salary Offers

When comparing a salary offer to an hourly rate, convert both to annual figures. A salary of $60,000 is equivalent to an hourly rate of about $30.37 for 38 hours ($60,000 ÷ 38 ÷ 52). But remember: salary often includes paid leave, while hourly employees may not get sick or holiday pay unless they are permanent. Use our hourly conversion page to switch between hourly and annual figures, and our casual loading page to see how loading affects your pay.

Important Disclaimer

The figures here are estimates. Annual pay is calculated as hourly rate × hours per week × 52, assuming 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 uses 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 binding determination, consult the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Australian Taxation Office.