What is the typical hourly rate for a personal assistant in Australia?

Personal assistants are commonly covered by the Clerks—Private Sector Award or the Miscellaneous Award. Rates vary by classification and experience. As a baseline, the National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour for a 38-hour week. Award rates are higher and can be found in the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides. For example, a Level 3 clerk may earn around $28–$30 per hour. Always check the specific award that applies to your role.

How do I calculate my annual salary from an hourly personal assistant rate?

Multiply your hourly rate by hours per week (usually 38 for full-time) then by 52 weeks. For instance, $30/hour × 38 hours × 52 weeks = $59,280 per year. This assumes no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. For part-time or casual roles, adjust the weekly hours accordingly. Casual employees also receive a 25% loading on top of the base rate.

What tax and super should I expect on my personal assistant salary?

For 2026–27, resident tax rates are: nil up to $18,200, 15% from $18,201 to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above that. Medicare levy is generally 2%. Superannuation guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings, paid on top of your salary, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. Use the ATO tax calculator for a precise estimate.

Understanding Your Personal Assistant Salary: Hourly to Annual Conversion Guide

A personal assistant salary is often based on award rates; using the national minimum wage of $26.44/hour for 38 hours gives $52,254.80 annually before tax and super.

Converting Your Personal Assistant Salary: Hourly to Annual

If you're a personal assistant or hiring one, understanding how an hourly rate translates to annual pay is essential. Whether you're negotiating a salary or budgeting for a role, the formula is straightforward: multiply your hourly rate by the hours you work each week, then by 52 weeks. This article explains the process using the National Minimum Wage, award rates, and the latest tax and super figures from the Fair Work Ombudsman, Fair Work Commission, and Australian Taxation Office.

The Basic Formula for Annual Pay

Annual gross pay = hourly rate × hours per week × 52. For a full-time personal assistant working 38 hours per week, this gives a clear annual figure. For example, at the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026), the annual gross pay is $26.44 × 38 × 52 = $52,254.80. This is the minimum for award/agreement-free adult employees. Most personal assistants are covered by a modern award, so their rate will be higher. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides for each award, which include classification-specific minimum rates.

Award Rates and the Personal Assistant Role

Personal assistants often fall under the Clerks—Private Sector Award or the Miscellaneous Award. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database contains the official minimum rates. For instance, a Level 3 clerk (typical for experienced PAs) might earn around $28–$30 per hour, depending on the award and any annual wage review increases. From 1 July 2026, award minimum wages increased by 4.75%. Always check the specific award classification for your duties. The minimum wage page on this site summarises the national minimum and award rates.

Casual Loading and Superannuation

If you work as a casual personal assistant, you're entitled to a 25% casual loading on top of the base rate. For the National Minimum Wage, that's $33.05 per hour. This loading compensates for lack of paid leave. Superannuation is paid on top of your ordinary earnings at 12% (the super guarantee rate for 2026–27). For a full-time personal assistant earning $60,000 per year, the employer would contribute an additional $7,200 in super, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. Super is not deducted from your salary; it's an extra cost for the employer.

Tax on Your Personal Assistant Salary

Using the 2026–27 resident tax rates, a personal assistant earning $60,000 annually would pay:

Nil on the first $18,200
15% on the next $26,800 ($4,020)
30% on the remaining $15,000 ($4,500) Total tax = $8,520, plus 2% Medicare levy ($1,200) = $9,720. Take-home pay would be approximately $50,280 per year, or $967 per week. This estimate uses the full tax-free threshold and assumes no HELP debt or surcharge. Use the take-home pay tool for a personalised calculation.

Fortnightly and Weekly Breakdown

It's often helpful to see your pay on a fortnightly basis. For a $60,000 annual salary, weekly gross is $1,153.85, and fortnightly gross is $2,307.70. After tax and Medicare, the fortnightly take-home might be around $1,934. This can help with budgeting and comparing job offers. Remember that your actual pay may vary if you work overtime, receive allowances, or salary sacrifice.

Differences in Ordinary-Time Earnings

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports Average Weekly Earnings for full-time adult ordinary time at $2,083.70 per week (May 2026). That equates to about $54.83 per hour for 38 hours. This is higher than typical personal assistant rates because it includes higher-paid occupations. The all-employees total earnings figure ($1,579.20 per week) includes part-time workers. For a personal assistant, your ordinary-time earnings will depend on your award classification and experience. The average pay page compares various roles.

Using the Hourly to Annual Converter

Our hourly conversion tool lets you enter your base hourly rate and see the annual, weekly, and fortnightly equivalents. If you're a casual, check the casual loading box to add 25% on top. Never enter a rate that already includes casual loading—the tool adds it separately. The result is an estimate only, as it assumes consistent hours and no penalties. For a precise determination, refer to your award or enterprise agreement.

Key Takeaways for Personal Assistants

Know your award classification to get the correct minimum rate.
Use the formula: hourly × hours per week × 52 for annual gross.
Super is paid on top at 12% (up to the contribution cap).
Tax is progressive; use the ATO's tax tables for accuracy.
Casual loading is 25% extra, not included in the base rate.

For more details, explore the super and packaging page or the casual loading guide. Always consult the Fair Work Ombudsman or a qualified advisor for your specific situation.