What is casual loading and how does it affect my hourly rate?

Casual loading is a 25% addition to the base hourly rate, as set by the Fair Work Ombudsman. For the National Minimum Wage, the base rate is $26.44/hour; with casual loading it becomes $33.05/hour. Our timesheet has a checkbox to add casual loading on top of the base rate you enter – never type a rate that already includes loading.

How is superannuation calculated on my annual pay?

The super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary earnings, paid on top of your gross pay. It is not deducted from your hourly rate. The maximum contribution base is $270,830 per year, so super stops once your ordinary earnings reach that amount. This estimate uses 12% and applies the cap.

What tax and Medicare levy will I pay on my annual salary?

For 2026–27, resident tax rates are: nil up to $18,200; 15% from $18,201 to $45,000; 30% from $45,001 to $135,000; 37% from $135,001 to $190,000; 45% above $190,000. The Medicare levy is generally 2% of taxable income. This estimate uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds because the 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed. No HELP repayment, Medicare levy surcharge, or salary packaging is deducted.

Convert Your Hourly Rate to Annual Salary: Tax, Super, and My Salary Packaging Guide

For a 38-hour week, annual gross is hourly rate × 38 × 52. For the National Minimum Wage of $26.44/hour, that equals $52,269.44 before tax, super, or packaging.

How the Hourly-to-Annual Conversion Works

To estimate your annual gross pay, multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work each week, then multiply by 52 weeks. This calculator assumes a standard 38-hour week, which is the full-time benchmark used by the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Australian Bureau of Statistics. For example, the National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour. For a 38-hour week, that gives:

$26.44 × 38 × 52 = $52,269.44 per year.

If you are a casual employee, you can select the 25% casual loading checkbox on our the timesheet – the calculator adds 25% on top of the base rate. The casual rate becomes $33.04 per hour, and the annual figure becomes $65,336.80. Remember, you should always enter your base hourly rate without casual loading; the checkbox adds it for you.

Fortnightly Pay and Budgeting

Many Australians are paid fortnightly. To get a fortnightly gross amount, simply double your weekly pay. For the minimum wage full-time worker: $1,004.90 per week × 2 = $2,009.80 per fortnight. This can help you match your pay cycle to your bills and savings goals.

Understanding Award Rates, Minimum Wage, and Casual Loading

The National Minimum Wage is the legal floor set by the Fair Work Commission. Most employees are covered by an award or enterprise agreement that may set higher rates. The figures here are the minimum; your actual rate may be higher. The casual loading of 25% is a separate entitlement for casual employees to compensate for lack of paid leave. It is paid on top of the base rate, not included in it. Superannuation is also paid on top of your gross earnings, at 12% of ordinary earnings, up to the $270,830 maximum contribution base.

Tax and the Medicare Levy on Your Annual Salary

Once you have your annual gross figure, you can estimate your tax using the 2026–27 resident tax rates:

$0 – $18,200: nil
$18,201 – $45,000: 15% of excess over $18,200
$45,001 – $135,000: $4,020 plus 30% of excess over $45,000
$135,001 – $190,000: $31,020 plus 37% of excess over $135,000
$190,001 and above: $51,370 plus 45% of excess over $190,000

In addition, the Medicare levy is generally 2% of your taxable income. This estimate uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds because the 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed. No HELP repayment, Medicare levy surcharge, or salary packaging is deducted.

For a worker on the minimum wage annual of $52,269.44, the tax would be approximately $4,020 plus 30% of ($52,269.44 – $45,000) = $6,020.44, total $10,040.44. Medicare levy at 2% is $1,045.44. The total tax and Medicare combined is about $11,085.88. This is an estimate only.

Superannuation Guarantee and My Salary Packaging Options

Super is paid on top of your gross pay. At 12% of ordinary earnings, the super guarantee is calculated on your ordinary earnings, not on your total package. For the minimum wage worker, super adds $6,272.33 per year, but only up to the $270,830 maximum contribution base. This estimate includes super at 12% on ordinary earnings, paid on top.

While this calculator does not deduct my salary packaging, you can explore how salary packaging might reduce your taxable income. For example, packaging a car or other benefits can lower your assessable earnings, potentially moving you into a lower tax bracket. See our super and packaging page for more details.

Disclaimer

Annual pay here 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.

For more detailed pay guides, visit our pay guides page. You can also check the reference tables for award rates and the minimum wage page for current figures. The average pay page shows ABS Average Weekly Earnings – remember these are averages, not your job's median. The hourly conversion page explains the formula in more depth. For casual employees, see casual loading explains the 25% loading. The job pay page helps you compare roles.