What is the minimum hourly rate for a payroll officer in 2026?

Under the Clerks—Private Sector Award, rates range from $29.45 (Level 2 Year 1) to $33.99 (Level 5) per hour from 1 July 2026. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top.

How is annual pay calculated from an hourly rate?

Multiply the hourly rate by the number of hours worked per week (typically 38) and then by 52 weeks. For example, $31.11 × 38 × 52 = $61,469.

Payroll Officer Salary 2026: Hourly, Weekly, Fortnightly & Annual Pay Under the Clerks Award

Q: Does the payroll officer salary include superannuation?

No, superannuation is paid on top of the base salary. The super guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830.

A Level 3 payroll officer earns at least $31.11 per hour under the Clerks Award, equating to $1,182.10 per week or $61,469 per year based on a 38-hour week and 52 weeks.

Understanding the Payroll Officer Salary in 2026

If you are looking up a payroll officer salary in Australia, the starting point is the Clerks—Private Sector Award 2020 (MA000002), which covers most private-sector payroll roles. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, award minimum rates increased by 4.75%, following the Fair Work Commission’s Annual Wage Review. The National Minimum Wage also rose to $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week. However, payroll officers are typically classified at higher award levels, so their minimum pay is above the national minimum.

Award Minimum Rates for Payroll Officers

The Clerks Award does not have a specific “payroll officer” classification. Instead, duties determine the level. According to Schedule A of the award, payroll work appears at four levels:

Level 2 – Initial processing and recording of payroll data, working in a payroll file. Year 1: $29.45 per hour; Year 2: $30.00 per hour.
Level 3 – Calculating and maintaining wage and salary records. $31.11 per hour.
Level 4 – Calculating wage or salary requirements, completing payroll data for authorisation, and advising on conditions, workers compensation and superannuation. $32.67 per hour.
Level 5 – Administering the organisation’s salary and payroll requirements, including executive packages. $33.99 per hour.

These rates are from Table 3 of the award. A full-time employee works an average of 38 hours per week, so the weekly rate is the hourly rate multiplied by 38. For example, a Level 3 payroll officer earns $1,182.10 per week ($31.11 × 38).

Casual Loading and Fortnightly Pay

Casual employees under the Clerks Award receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate (clause 11.1). This compensates for entitlements casuals do not receive, such as paid leave. For a Level 3 casual payroll officer, the minimum hourly rate becomes $38.89 ($31.11 × 1.25). The loading is applied to the base rate, not to a rate that already includes it – our casual loading page explains the calculation.

When working out a fortnightly pay, simply double the weekly figure. A full-time Level 3 payroll officer earns $2,364.20 per fortnight before tax. Casual employees may be paid per engagement, but the minimum engagement is three hours (clause 11.4).

Annual Salary and Tax Estimates

To convert an hourly rate to an annual salary, use the formula: hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks. For a full-time payroll officer on 38 hours per week:

Level 2 Year 1: $29.45 × 38 × 52 = $58,193 per year
Level 3: $31.11 × 38 × 52 = $61,469 per year
Level 4: $32.67 × 38 × 52 = $64,553 per year
Level 5: $33.99 × 38 × 52 = $67,174 per year

These figures are gross. After applying the 2026–27 resident tax rates (tax-free threshold to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, etc.) plus the 2% Medicare levy, take-home pay for a Level 3 payroll officer is approximately $51,357 per year, or $988 per week. The Australian Taxation Office sets the tax scales, and our take-home pay page provides a detailed breakdown.

Superannuation is paid on top of the base salary. The super guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a Level 3 payroll officer, that adds about $7,376 per year in employer contributions. See super and packaging for more.

How to Use the Hourly to Annual Calculator

Our the timesheet tool lets you enter a base hourly rate and optionally add the 25% casual loading. It then shows the annual, weekly, fortnightly, and monthly figures based on a 38-hour week and 52-week year. Remember: the calculator assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, and no salary sacrifice. For award-specific rates, always check the pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Market Rates vs Award Minimums

The award rates are legal minimums. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (May 2025 data), the median full-time earnings for Payroll Clerks (ANZSCO 5513) were $1,606 per week, or about $44 per hour – well above the Level 3 minimum of $31.11. This reflects experience, enterprise agreements, and individual arrangements. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings for all full-time adults was $2,083.70 per week in May 2026. Market rates vary by location and industry.