What is the current minimum wage per hour Australia?

From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour, which equates to $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. For casual employees, the minimum casual rate is $33.05 per hour including the 25% casual loading. These rates are set by the Fair Work Commission and apply to employees not covered by an award or registered agreement.

How do I calculate annual salary from my hourly rate?

To estimate your annual gross salary, multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work per week, then multiply by 52 weeks. For a full-time employee working 38 hours per week, the formula is: hourly rate × 38 × 52. This gives a gross annual figure before tax and super. Remember that superannuation is paid on top of your ordinary earnings at 12% (up to the maximum contribution base).

Does the minimum wage include casual loading and superannuation?

No. The National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour is the base rate for permanent employees. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top, making the minimum casual rate $33.05 per hour. Superannuation is paid separately on top of your ordinary earnings at 12% (from 1 July 2026) and is not included in the hourly rate. Award rates may be higher than the National Minimum Wage and often include specific penalty rates and allowances.

Understanding the Minimum Wage Per Hour Australia: From Hourly Rate to Annual Salary

Based on the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour for a 38-hour week, the annual gross pay is approximately $52,254, with superannuation of 12% paid on top.

Understanding the Minimum Wage Per Hour Australia

If you are paid an hourly rate or have been offered a salary, converting between the two helps you compare job offers and understand your take-home pay. This guide explains how to convert hourly to annual pay using the standard 38-hour week, and what the National Minimum Wage means for your earnings.

The Basic Formula: Hourly × Hours × 52

The simplest way to estimate your annual gross salary is:

Annual gross ≈ hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks

For a full-time employee working 38 hours per week, this becomes:

Annual gross = hourly rate × 38 × 52

For example, at the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour:

$26.44 × 38 × 52 = $52,254.44 per year (before tax and super)

This formula assumes you work the same number of hours every week, with no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. It is a starting point for budgeting, not a precise determination of your pay.

Fortnightly Pay

Many employers pay fortnightly. To find your gross fortnightly pay, multiply your weekly pay by 2. Using the National Minimum Wage:

Weekly: $26.44 × 38 = $1,004.72 (the official figure is $1,004.90 due to rounding) Fortnightly: $1,004.90 × 2 = $2,009.80

Your actual fortnightly pay may differ if you work overtime or have deductions.

National Minimum Wage vs Award Rates

The National Minimum Wage is the minimum hourly rate set by the Fair Work Commission for employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. From 1 July 2026, it is $26.44 per hour for permanent employees. However, most employees are covered by an award (industry or occupation-specific minimum standards). Award rates are often higher than the National Minimum Wage. For example, a hospitality award may set a higher base rate for a level 1 employee. Always check your award or enterprise agreement to see your correct minimum rate.

Casual Loading

Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the base rate to compensate for not receiving paid leave entitlements. The minimum casual rate is therefore:

$26.44 × 1.25 = $33.05 per hour

If you are a casual, your hourly rate should already include this loading. When using our timesheet, enter your base hourly rate (without casual loading) and check the box to add 25% casual loading. Do not enter a rate that already includes the loading.

Superannuation: Paid on Top

Superannuation guarantee contributions are paid by your employer on top of your ordinary earnings. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. Super is not deducted from your hourly rate; it is an additional cost to your employer and an extra benefit for you.

For the National Minimum Wage example:

Annual ordinary earnings: $52,254.44 Super at 12%: $6,270.53 (paid on top, not from your pay)

Tax on Your Salary

Your take-home pay depends on tax. The Australian Taxation Office uses a progressive tax scale for residents in 2026–27:

$0 – $18,200: nil
$18,201 – $45,000: 15% on excess over $18,200
$45,001 – $135,000: 30% on excess over $45,000
$135,001 – $190,000: 37% on excess over $135,000
$190,001+: 45% on excess over $190,000

Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (generally). The tax-free threshold is included. For a full-time worker on the National Minimum Wage ($52,254), the estimated tax (excluding Medicare) would be:

$0 on first $18,200 15% on $26,800 = $4,020 30% on $7,254 = $2,176.20 Total tax ≈ $6,196.20 Medicare levy (2% of $52,254) ≈ $1,045.08 Total deductions ≈ $7,241.28

Net annual take-home ≈ $45,013.16

Use our take-home pay tool for a more detailed estimate.

Award Rates and Industry Averages

The National Minimum Wage is the legal floor, but many workers earn more. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports Average Weekly Earnings (May 2026) for full-time adult ordinary time earnings at $2,083.70 per week, which equates to about $54.83 per hour for a 38-hour week. That is an average across all industries, not a median for any specific job. If you are looking at a particular occupation, check your award or industry agreement for the correct rate.

Using Our Calculator

Our hourly conversion tool lets you enter your hourly rate and see the annual, monthly, fortnightly, and weekly figures. Remember to select the correct employment type (permanent or casual) so the casual loading is applied correctly. The calculator also estimates tax and super based on the current rates.

Important Disclaimer

The figures on this page are estimates. Annual pay is calculated as hourly rate × hours per week × 52, assuming the same rate every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, allowances, or 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 authoritative information, refer to the Fair Work Ombudsman for pay rates and the Australian Taxation Office for tax. You can also explore our minimum wage and super and packaging pages for more details.