How do I calculate my salary after tax from an hourly rate?

Multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work each week, then by 52. For a standard full‑time worker on 38 hours, that’s hourly × 38 × 52. Then apply the 2026–27 resident tax scale (nil to $18,200, 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, 45% above) and add the 2% Medicare levy. The result is your estimated salary after tax.

Does casual loading affect my salary after tax?

Yes. If you are a casual employee, your base hourly rate receives a 25% loading. That higher rate becomes your ordinary earnings for tax and super purposes. For example, the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 becomes $33.05 per hour. Your salary after tax is then calculated on that loaded rate.

Is superannuation included in my salary after tax?

No. Super is paid on top of your ordinary earnings by your employer at 12% (up to the $270,830 maximum contribution base). It is not deducted from your pay, so it does not reduce your salary after tax. Your salary after tax is based on your gross pay before super is added.

How to Calculate Your Salary After Tax from an Hourly Rate

For a full‑time employee working 38 hours a week, your annual salary before tax is your hourly rate multiplied by 1,976 hours.

Understanding Your Salary After Tax from an Hourly Rate

When you know your hourly rate, the most direct way to see your annual pay is to multiply it by the hours you work each week and then by 52 weeks. This article explains that calculation, how casual loading and superannuation fit in, and how to estimate your salary after tax using the 2026–27 tax rates.

The Basic Formula: Hourly × Hours per Week × 52

For a full‑time employee, the standard week is 38 hours. So your annual gross salary is:

Hourly rate × 38 × 52 = annual gross pay

For example, at $30 per hour: $30 × 38 × 52 = $59,280 per year before tax.

Your fortnightly gross pay is simply the weekly amount multiplied by 2: $30 × 38 × 2 = $2,280 per fortnight.

This formula assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. It is a starting point for understanding your pay.

National Minimum Wage and Award Rates

The Fair Work Commission sets the National Minimum Wage. From 1 July 2026 it is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual minimum $33.05 per hour.

However, many employees are covered by an award or enterprise agreement that sets a higher minimum. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides for each industry. Always check your specific award rate rather than relying on the national minimum alone.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports average weekly earnings. For May 2026, full‑time adult ordinary time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week. This is an average across all industries and occupations, not a median for any particular job. Do not treat it as a target for your role.

Casual Loading and Superannuation

If you are a casual employee, your base hourly rate is increased by 25% casual loading. This loading compensates for the lack of paid leave and other entitlements. When using the timesheet, you enter your base rate and tick the 25% loading checkbox. Do not enter a rate that already includes casual loading.

Superannuation is paid on top of your ordinary earnings. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a casual, ordinary earnings include the casual loading. So if your casual rate is $33.05, super is calculated on that amount.

Super is not deducted from your pay – your employer pays it into your super fund separately. It does not reduce your take‑home pay or your salary after tax.

Estimating Your Salary After Tax

To find your salary after tax, you need to subtract income tax and the Medicare levy from your gross annual pay. The 2026–27 resident tax rates are:

Nil on the first $18,200
15% on the next $26,800 (up to $45,000)
30% on the next $90,000 (up to $135,000)
37% on the next $55,000 (up to $190,000)
45% on anything above $190,000

The Medicare levy is generally 2% of your taxable income. The 2026–27 reduction thresholds for low‑income earners were not confirmed at the time this estimate was prepared, so the 2025–26 single thresholds are used here.

Example: Gross annual pay of $59,280

Tax: $0 on first $18,200, then $26,800 × 15% = $4,020, then $14,280 × 30% = $4,284. Total tax = $8,304.
Medicare: $59,280 × 2% = $1,185.60
Salary after tax = $59,280 – $8,304 – $1,185.60 = $49,790.40

Fortnightly after tax: $49,790.40 ÷ 26 = $1,915.02.

You can use the take-home pay page to see more examples.

Using the Timesheet Calculator

The timesheet on this site lets you enter your base hourly rate. If you are casual, tick the 25% loading checkbox. The calculator then shows:

Annual gross pay (hourly × 38 × 52)
Fortnightly gross pay
Estimated tax and Medicare
Estimated super (paid on top)
Your salary after tax

All estimates assume 38 hours per week, no overtime, no penalty rates, and no salary packaging. Super is calculated at 12% of ordinary earnings up to the $270,830 cap.

Important Considerations

Award rates may be higher than the National Minimum Wage. Check your award or agreement.
Casual loading is separate from super. Both are based on your ordinary earnings.
Super is paid on top, not deducted from your pay.
Tax estimates are for residents claiming the full tax‑free threshold. They do not include HELP repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, or salary packaging.
This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax liability. For personalised advice, consult a registered tax agent or the Australian Taxation Office.

For more details on super and salary packaging, see the super and packaging page.

Summary

To find your salary after tax from an hourly rate:

Multiply your hourly rate by 38 (or your usual weekly hours) and then by 52.
Add casual loading if applicable (25% on top of base).
Apply the 2026–27 tax rates and 2% Medicare levy.
Remember that super is paid on top and does not reduce your after‑tax amount.

Use the timesheet to run your own numbers quickly.