What is the National Minimum Wage?

The National Minimum Wage is 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. Casual employees receive an additional 25% loading, making the casual rate $33.05 per hour. Award rates may be higher and vary by industry and occupation.

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

Multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work each week, then multiply by 52. The calculator assumes a standard 38-hour week unless you change it. For example, $30 per hour × 38 hours × 52 weeks = $59,280 per year. The calculator also shows fortnightly pay (weekly × 2) and weekly pay.

Does the minimum wage calculator include superannuation and tax?

Yes. Superannuation is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings, paid on top of your gross pay, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. Tax is calculated using the 2026–27 resident tax rates and the Medicare levy (2%). The calculator does not deduct HELP repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, or salary packaging. It provides an estimate only.

Use Our Minimum Wage Calculator to Compare the National Minimum Wage and Award Rates

Based on a 38-hour week, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour, giving an annual gross of $52,270.72 before tax and super.

Understand Your Pay with Our Minimum Wage Calculator

Whether you are an employee on an hourly rate or considering a salary offer, our minimum wage calculator helps you see the full picture. Enter your base hourly rate, choose your weekly hours, and the calculator instantly shows your annual, fortnightly and weekly gross pay, plus an estimate of tax and super. This tool is designed for Australian workers and uses the latest figures from the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Australian Bureau of Statistics, and the Australian Taxation Office.

How the Minimum Wage Calculator Works

The calculator uses the standard formula: hourly rate × hours per week × 52. By default it assumes a 38-hour week, which is the full-time ordinary hours under the National Employment Standards. You can adjust the hours to match your part-time or casual arrangement. The result is your annual gross salary before tax and super.

For example, if you earn $30 per hour and work 38 hours each week:

Weekly pay: $30 × 38 = $1,140
Fortnightly pay: $1,140 × 2 = $2,280
Annual gross: $1,140 × 52 = $59,280

The calculator also shows your take-home pay after estimating tax and the Medicare levy, and it adds superannuation at 12% on top of your ordinary earnings. Super is not deducted from your pay; it is an additional contribution your employer must make.

Why 38 Hours?

The 38-hour week is the standard full-time benchmark used by the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Australian Bureau of Statistics. If you work different hours, simply enter your actual weekly hours. The calculator will adjust all figures accordingly.

National Minimum Wage vs Award Rates

The National Minimum Wage is the legal minimum for employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. From 1 July 2026, it is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual rate $33.05 per hour.

However, most employees are covered by an award that sets higher minimum rates for their industry or role. Award rates vary widely – for example, a retail employee may have a different minimum than a hospitality worker. The minimum wage page on our site explains how to find your award rate. Our calculator lets you enter any hourly rate, so you can compare your current pay against the National Minimum Wage or an award rate you have looked up.

Important: The calculator does not contain a database of award rates. If you are unsure of your correct minimum, check your award on the Fair Work Ombudsman website or use their pay guides tool. The figures shown are estimates based on the rate you enter.

Casual Loading and Superannuation

If you are a casual employee, you are entitled to a casual loading – typically 25% on top of the base hourly rate. Our calculator includes a checkbox to add 25% casual loading. Do not enter a rate that already includes casual loading. Instead, enter the base rate (e.g., $26.44 for the National Minimum Wage) and tick the box. The calculator will apply the loading and show the casual rate.

Superannuation is calculated at 12% of your ordinary earnings, paid on top of your gross pay. The super guarantee rate is set by the Australian Government and applies to most employees. The calculator stops adding super once your earnings reach the maximum contribution base of $270,830 (2026–27). For more details, see our super and packaging page.

Tax and Take-Home Pay

The calculator estimates tax using the 2026–27 resident tax rates:

Nil tax 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

A Medicare levy of 2% is also applied. The calculator uses the single reduction thresholds from 2025–26 because the 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed at the time of this tool’s update. If you have a spouse or dependants, your actual Medicare levy may differ.

Note: The calculator does not deduct HELP/HECS repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, or any salary packaging arrangements. It is an estimate to help you plan, not a binding determination of your pay or tax liability.

Using the Calculator for Your Situation

Our minimum wage calculator is ideal for:

Employees checking if their pay meets the legal minimum
Job seekers comparing a salary offer to their current hourly rate
Casual workers wanting to see the effect of casual loading
Anyone planning their budget using fortnightly or weekly figures

Remember that the calculator assumes the same rate every week, with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, allowances, or salary sacrifice. Your actual pay may vary if you work irregular hours or receive additional entitlements.

For a deeper look at average earnings, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that full-time adult ordinary time earnings were $2,083.70 per week in May 2026. All employees (including part-time) averaged $1,579.20 per week. These are averages, not medians for any specific job. Our average pay page discusses how to interpret these figures.

If you are comparing a salary offer, use the hourly conversion tool to work backwards from an annual figure. And if you need to understand casual loading in more detail, visit our casual loading page.

Disclaimer

Annual pay shown 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.