NSW Health Salary Packaging: How Your Hourly Rate Converts to Annual Pay with Casual Loading and Super

Understanding Hourly to Annual Conversion

When you have an hourly rate or a salary offer, knowing your annual pay helps you compare jobs and plan your budget. The standard formula is straightforward: multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work each week, then multiply by 52 weeks in a year. For most full-time roles, we assume a 38-hour week, as set by the Fair Work Commission for the National Minimum Wage. This gives you a reliable annual gross figure before tax and super.

The Formula in Practice

Annual gross = hourly rate × hours per week × 52

If you earn $30 per hour and work 38 hours each week, your annual gross is $30 × 38 × 52 = $59,280. This assumes the same rate every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. It also assumes no salary sacrifice, which is important to note if you are considering NSW Health salary packaging.

Fortnightly Pay

Many Australian employers pay fortnightly. To find your fortnightly gross, simply double your weekly pay. Weekly pay = hourly rate × hours per week. For the example above, weekly pay is $30 × 38 = $1,140, so fortnightly is $2,280. This helps you match your pay cycle to your budget.

Minimum Wage, Award Rates, and Casual Loading

Australia has a National Minimum Wage set by the Fair Work Commission. From 1 July 2026, it is $26.44 per hour for a 38-hour week, or $1,004.90 per week. If you are a casual employee, you receive a 25% loading on top of your base rate, making the casual minimum $33.05 per hour. This loading compensates for not receiving paid sick leave or annual leave.

Award rates often set higher minimums for specific industries. For example, the NSW Health award may have different rates for nurses, allied health, or administrative staff. Our calculator uses your base hourly rate; if you are casual, tick the checkbox to add 25% loading. Never enter a rate that already includes casual loading.

Super Paid on Top

Superannuation is paid by your employer on top of your ordinary earnings. The current rate is 12% of your gross pay, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. For a full-time employee earning $1,500 per week, super adds $180 per week. This is not deducted from your hourly rate; it is an extra cost for the employer. Our calculator shows estimated super separately.

Tax and Medicare

Your annual gross pay is subject to income tax and the Medicare levy. For the 2026–27 financial year, the resident tax rates are:

• Nil on income up to $18,200
• 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
• 30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
• 37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
• 45% on income above $190,000

The Medicare levy is generally 2% of your taxable income. Our calculator uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds because the 2026–27 reduction thresholds were not confirmed here. The calculator does not deduct HELP repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, or salary packaging. If you have a HELP debt or salary sacrifice, your actual tax may differ.

Example with Casual Loading and Super

Consider a casual worker on the minimum $33.05 per hour (including loading). Annual gross = $33.05 × 38 × 52 = $65,310.80. Tax on that amount (using the 2026–27 scale) would be approximately $10,000–12,000 depending on exact brackets, plus 2% Medicare. Super at 12% on $65,310.80 = $7,837.30, but only up to the maximum contribution base. The take-home pay after tax and Medicare is lower than gross.

NSW Health Salary Packaging

If you work for NSW Health, you may be eligible for salary packaging. This allows you to use pre-tax income for certain expenses like rent, mortgage, or car leasing. This reduces your taxable income and increases your take-home pay. However, our calculator does not include salary packaging because it varies by individual arrangement. The annual gross pay (hourly × hours × 52) remains the same, but your net pay may be higher. Always check with your employer or a financial adviser for exact figures.

Using the Timesheet and Other Resources

Our the timesheet lets you enter your base hourly rate and optionally add 25% casual loading. It calculates your annual gross, weekly, fortnightly, and estimated super and tax. For more detailed pay guides, see our pay guides or reference tables. If you want to compare your rate to industry averages, check the average pay page. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports full-time adult ordinary time earnings at $2,083.70 per week (May 2026), and all employees total earnings at $1,579.20 per week (including part-time). For New South Wales, full-time ordinary time is $2,108.80 per week. These are averages, not medians for your specific job.

Important Disclaimer

Remember that annual pay here is an estimate. 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 on minimum wage, visit minimum wage. For take-home pay calculations, see take-home pay. And if you are a casual, learn more about casual loading.