How do I use the NSW salary calculator on this site?

Type your base hourly rate into the timesheet on the home page. If you are a casual employee, tick the checkbox to add 25% casual loading on top of that base rate. Do not enter a rate that already includes casual loading. The calculator then shows your annual gross (hourly × hours per week × 52, assuming 38 hours for full-time), fortnightly pay, estimated tax, Medicare levy, and super guarantee.

What is the difference between the National Minimum Wage and an award rate?

The National Minimum Wage is the legal minimum for all employees not covered by an award or agreement. From 1 July 2026 it is $26.44 per hour ($1004.90 per week for 38 hours). Award rates are set by the Fair Work Commission for specific industries or occupations and are almost always higher. For example, a retail award may pay $28 per hour. Use the calculator with your award rate if you know it, or check the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides for your award.

How is super calculated and is it included in the annual salary?

Superannuation guarantee is 12% of your ordinary earnings, paid on top of your salary by your employer. It is not included in the annual gross figure shown by the calculator. The calculator estimates super separately, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. For example, on a $60,000 salary, super would be an extra $7,200 per year paid into your super fund.

NSW Salary Calculator: Compare the National Minimum Wage with Award Rates

Based on a 38-hour week, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour, giving an annual gross of $52,261.44 before tax and super.

Converting Your Hourly Rate to Annual Pay with the NSW Salary Calculator

If you are paid by the hour and want to compare your earnings to a salary, or if you have a salary offer and want to know the equivalent hourly rate, the NSW salary calculator on this site makes it straightforward. The basic formula is:

Annual gross ≈ hourly rate × hours per week × 52

We assume a standard full-time week of 38 hours, as set by the Fair Work Act. If you work fewer or more hours, adjust the hours per week in your own calculation. The calculator also shows your fortnightly pay (weekly pay × 2), which is useful for budgeting.

National Minimum Wage vs Award Rates

From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1004.90 per week for 38 hours. Casual employees receive an additional 25% loading, making the casual minimum $33.05 per hour. However, most employees are covered by an award or enterprise agreement that sets a higher minimum rate. For example, the average full-time ordinary weekly earnings in New South Wales were $2108.80 in May 2026, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. This is an average across all occupations and industries, not the median for a specific job. Award rates vary by classification and industry—check the Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guides for your award.

Casual Loading and Super

If you are a casual employee, your hourly rate typically includes a 25% loading in lieu of paid leave. When using the timesheet, tick the casual loading checkbox only if your base rate does not already include it. The calculator adds the loading on top. Superannuation guarantee is 12% of your ordinary earnings, paid on top of your gross pay by your employer. The calculator estimates super separately, up to the $270,830 maximum contribution base. For example, on the National Minimum Wage ($26.44/hour), annual super would be about $6,271 (12% of $52,261).

Tax and Take-Home Pay

The calculator uses the 2026–27 resident tax rates: nil on the first $18,200, 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000, 30% from $45,001 to $135,000, 37% from $135,001 to $190,000, and 45% above $190,000. A 2% Medicare levy is applied, using the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds (the 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed). The result is an estimate of your after-tax pay. For a full-time worker on the National Minimum Wage ($52,261 gross), the estimated tax and Medicare would be around $7,257, leaving about $45,004 take-home. See the take-home pay topic for more detail.

Using the Calculator for Award or Salary Comparisons

To compare a salary offer, divide the annual salary by 52 and then by your weekly hours to find the equivalent hourly rate. For example, a $70,000 salary for 38 hours per week is about $35.43 per hour. The hourly conversion page explains this in more detail. Remember that award rates may include allowances or penalty rates for weekends and nights, which the calculator does not account for—it assumes the same rate every week with no overtime or penalties.

Important Notes

This calculator is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax. It assumes the same hourly 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 uses the 2026–27 resident scale with the full tax-free threshold. Medicare uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds. HELP, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted. For precise figures, consult the minimum wage page, the average pay data from the ABS, or speak with a payroll professional.