What is the minimum wage in Western Australia?

The National Minimum Wage set by the Fair Work Commission applies to most employees in Western Australia under the national system. From 1 July 2026 it is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. For employees covered by the state system, the WA Industrial Relations Commission sets a separate minimum wage; check their latest rates.

How do I convert my hourly rate to an annual salary?

Multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work each week, then multiply by 52 weeks. For a standard full-time week of 38 hours, the formula is: hourly rate × 38 × 52. This gives a gross annual figure before tax and super. For example, the minimum wage WA of $26.44 per hour yields about $52,253 per year.

Is superannuation included in the hourly rate?

No. Superannuation is paid on top of your ordinary earnings. The super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary time earnings (up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year). So if your hourly rate is $26.44, your employer must pay an additional $3.17 per hour into your super fund, not included in your take-home pay.

Minimum Wage WA: Converting Hourly to Annual Pay for a 38-Hour Week

At the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour for a 38-hour week, annual pay is about $52,253 before tax and super.

Understanding the Minimum Wage WA and Converting to Annual Pay

If you earn an hourly wage in Western Australia, you may want to know what that translates to over a full year, a fortnight, or after tax. This guide uses the National Minimum Wage (the federal minimum wage WA) and the standard 38-hour week to show you the calculations. Remember that the National Minimum Wage applies to most employees under the national system; state-system employees should check the WA Industrial Relations Commission for any different rate.

The Formula: Hourly × Hours per Week × 52

The basic conversion from hourly to annual pay is straightforward: multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work each week, then multiply by 52 weeks. For a full-time employee working 38 hours every week (the standard full-time week under the Fair Work Act), the formula is:

Annual gross pay ≈ hourly rate × 38 × 52

This assumes you work the same hours every week, with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. It is an estimate, not a binding calculation.

Applying the Formula to the Minimum Wage WA

From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour. For a 38-hour week:

Weekly pay: $26.44 × 38 = $1,004.72 (rounded to $1,004.90 in official figures)
Fortnightly pay: $1,004.72 × 2 = $2,009.44
Annual pay: $26.44 × 38 × 52 = $52,253.44

This is your gross income before tax, Medicare levy, and superannuation. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) uses the 2026–27 resident tax rates: no tax on the first $18,200, then 15% up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, 37% up to $190,000, and 45% above that. A 2% Medicare levy generally applies. For the minimum wage WA annual amount of about $52,253, the tax would be roughly $5,000–$6,000 plus Medicare, leaving a take-home pay around $44,000–$45,000 (estimate only). Use the timesheet to calculate your own figures.

Casual Loading and Superannuation

If you are a casual employee, you are entitled to a 25% casual loading on top of the base hourly rate. For the minimum wage WA, that means $26.44 × 1.25 = $33.05 per hour. Then:

Annual casual pay: $33.05 × 38 × 52 = $65,316.80

Superannuation is paid on top of your ordinary earnings, not included in the hourly rate. The super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary time earnings (up to the $270,830 maximum contribution base). For the minimum wage WA, your employer would contribute an extra 12% of $52,253.44 = $6,270.41 per year into your super fund. This is not part of your take-home pay. See super and packaging for more details.

Award Rates vs. the National Minimum Wage

The National Minimum Wage is the legal floor, but many employees are covered by awards that set higher minimum rates for specific industries or occupations. For example, the Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides for each award. The minimum wage WA is just the baseline; your actual rate may be higher if an award or enterprise agreement applies. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Average Weekly Earnings for full-time adult ordinary time in Western Australia was $2,227.40 per week in May 2026—well above the minimum wage. That is an average, not a median for any specific job. Use pay guides to check award rates.

Using the Timesheet for Your Own Rate

Our the timesheet lets you enter your base hourly rate and optionally add 25% casual loading. It then calculates your annual, fortnightly, and weekly pay, along with estimated tax and super. Remember: do not enter a rate that already includes casual loading—use the checkbox instead. The tool assumes 38 hours per week unless you change it.

Important Notes on This Estimate

This conversion is a guide only. 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, paid on top, and stops at the maximum contribution base. Tax uses the 2026–27 resident scale with full tax-free threshold and Medicare levy (using 2025–26 single reduction thresholds as the 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed). HELP, Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted. For a precise determination, consult a tax professional or use the ATO’s own calculators.

Summary

To convert any hourly rate to annual pay for a 38-hour week, use the formula hourly × 38 × 52. For the minimum wage WA, that gives about $52,253 per year. Add 25% if casual, and remember super is extra. Check award rates if applicable, and use the timesheet to run your own numbers. For more on the National Minimum Wage, see minimum wage.