How does casual loading affect a roof plumber's pay?

Casual employees under the Plumbing Award receive an additional 25% on top of the minimum hourly rate. For a roof plumber tradesperson Level 1, the casual rate is $29.45 × 1.25 = $36.81 per hour. This loading compensates for entitlements like paid leave that casuals do not receive.

What tax will a roof plumber pay on their annual salary?

Using the 2026–27 resident tax rates, a full-time roof plumber earning $58,193.20 pays no tax on the first $18,200, then 15% on the next $26,800, and 30% on the remainder up to $45,000. The estimated tax is about $6,867 plus the 2% Medicare levy ($1,164), leaving approximately $50,162 after tax and Medicare. This is an estimate only.

Is superannuation included in the award rate or paid on top?

Superannuation is paid on top of the minimum wage. Under the Plumbing Award and the Superannuation Guarantee, employers must contribute 12% of ordinary earnings (up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830) into a super fund. For a roof plumber earning $58,193.20, that adds $6,983.18 in super contributions.

Roof Plumber Salary: Award Rates, Annual Pay, and Tax for 2026–27

A full-time roof plumber under the Plumbing Award earns at least $29.45 per hour, or $1,119.10 per week, leading to an annual salary of $58,193.20 before tax and super.

Roof Plumber Salary Under the Plumbing Award

If you're looking for a roof plumber salary that reflects the minimum legal rates, the starting point is the Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award 2020. Roof plumbing is explicitly included in the award's definition of plumbing, so the classification rates apply directly. For a full-time tradesperson at Level 1, the minimum weekly rate is $1,119.10, which works out to $29.45 per hour based on a 38-hour week. This is the base rate before any casual loading, allowances, or penalty rates.

How to Convert Hourly to Annual Pay

To estimate your annual gross pay, use the formula:

Hourly rate × hours per week × 52

For a roof plumber on the award rate:

$29.45 × 38 × 52 = $58,193.20 per year

This assumes you work every week of the year with no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, and no allowances. If you work a different number of hours each week, the annual figure will change. The hourly conversion tool on this site can help you run your own numbers.

Fortnightly Pay

A fortnight is simply two weeks of pay. For a full-time roof plumber:

$1,119.10 × 2 = $2,238.20 per fortnight before tax and super.

If you're paid fortnightly, this is the amount you'll see on your payslip before deductions.

Casual Loading

If you work as a casual roof plumber, the award requires an extra 25% on top of the hourly rate. That gives:

$29.45 × 1.25 = $36.81 per hour (casual rate)

Annual gross for a casual working 38 hours per week would be:

$36.81 × 38 × 52 = $72,741.60

Remember, casual employees don't get paid leave or other entitlements, so the loading compensates for that. You can explore more about casual loading on our site.

National Minimum Wage Comparison

From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week). A roof plumber's award rate of $29.45 is about 11% higher than the minimum. The casual national minimum wage is $33.05 per hour (including 25% loading), which is still below the casual roof plumber rate of $36.81.

Superannuation Paid on Top

Under the Superannuation Guarantee, your employer must contribute 12% of your ordinary earnings into a super fund, on top of your salary. For a full-time roof plumber earning $58,193.20:

$58,193.20 × 0.12 = $6,983.18 per year in super contributions

This amount is not deducted from your pay; it's an additional benefit. The maximum contribution base is $270,830, so most roof plumbers will receive the full 12% on all earnings. See our super and packaging page for more details.

Tax on a Roof Plumber Salary

Using the 2026–27 resident tax rates and the full tax-free threshold, here's an estimate for a full-time roof plumber earning $58,193.20:

$0 – $18,200: nil
$18,201 – $45,000: 15% on the portion above $18,200
$45,001 – $135,000: 30% on the portion above $45,000

Calculation:

Tax on first $18,200: $0
Tax on next $26,800 ($18,201 to $45,000): $26,800 × 0.15 = $4,020
Tax on remaining $13,193.20 ($45,001 to $58,193.20): $13,193.20 × 0.30 = $3,957.96
Total tax: $7,977.96

Plus Medicare levy of 2% on all taxable income: $58,193.20 × 0.02 = $1,163.86

Total deductions: $9,141.82

Estimated take-home pay: $58,193.20 – $9,141.82 = $49,051.38 per year (or about $943.30 per week).

This is an estimate only. Your actual tax may differ if you have deductions, HELP debt, or the Medicare levy surcharge. Use our take-home pay calculator for a more personalised result.

Award Classification Details

The Plumbing Award has several levels for roof plumbers. The rates above are for a tradesperson Level 1. More experienced or specialised roof plumbers may fall into higher classifications:

Classification	Weekly rate	Hourly rate
Tradesperson Level 1	$1,119.10	$29.45
Tradesperson Level 2	$1,154.30	$30.38
Special class Level 1	$1,189.40	$31.30
Advanced Level 1	$1,256.30	$33.06

These rates are from the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides and apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026.

Using the Timesheet Calculator

Our timesheet tool lets you enter your base hourly rate and optionally add casual loading to see your weekly, fortnightly, and annual pay. For a roof plumber, you would enter $29.45 (or your actual rate) and check the casual loading box if applicable. The tool then calculates gross pay and shows estimated tax and super.

Summary

A roof plumber salary under the award starts at $29.45 per hour for a full-time tradesperson, giving an annual gross of $58,193.20. With casual loading, it rises to $36.81 per hour and $72,741.60 annually. Super of 12% is paid on top, and tax reduces take-home pay to around $49,000 per year. Always check your specific classification and any applicable allowances or agreements. For more details, see our reference tables or average pay pages.