How do I convert my hourly rate to an annual salary?

Multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work each week, then multiply by 52 weeks. For a standard full-time week of 38 hours, the formula is: hourly rate × 38 × 52. This gives your gross annual pay before tax and super. Remember that this assumes the same rate every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances.

What is casual loading and how does it affect my pay?

Casual loading is an extra 25% paid on top of the base hourly rate to compensate for the lack of paid leave entitlements. From 1 July 2026, the casual National Minimum Wage is $33.05 per hour. When using our calculator, enter your base hourly rate and tick the casual loading checkbox – do not enter a rate that already includes the loading.

From Salary Cap NRL to National Minimum Wage: Understanding Your Hourly to Annual Pay

Q: How is superannuation calculated and when is it paid?

Superannuation is 12% of your ordinary earnings, paid on top of your salary. From 1 July 2026, employers must pay super at the same time as wages (payday super). The super guarantee applies up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. Our calculator estimates super on your ordinary earnings only, excluding overtime or bonuses.

For a full-time employee on the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour working 38 hours per week, the annual gross pay is approximately $52,254.80 before tax and super.

Hourly to Annual: The Simple Formula

Converting an hourly rate to an annual salary is straightforward: multiply your hourly rate by the hours you work each week, then by 52 weeks. For a standard full-time week of 38 hours, the formula is:

Annual gross = hourly rate × 38 hours per week × 52 weeks

This gives your gross annual pay before tax, super, and any deductions. It assumes you work the same hours every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. If you work a different number of hours, simply replace 38 with your usual weekly hours.

Why 38 Hours?

The 38-hour week is the standard ordinary hours for full-time employees under the National Employment Standards and most modern awards. The Fair Work Commission uses 38 hours to set the National Minimum Wage. For part-time or casual workers, your actual weekly hours may differ.

Fortnightly and Weekly Pay

Many employers pay fortnightly or weekly. To find your fortnightly gross pay, multiply your weekly pay by two. For example, if your weekly gross is $1,004.90 (the National Minimum Wage for 38 hours), your fortnightly gross is $2,009.80. Weekly pay is simply your hourly rate times your weekly hours.

National Minimum Wage vs Award Rates

From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. This applies to employees not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement. However, most Australian employees are covered by an award, which sets higher minimum rates for specific industries and occupations.

The 2026 Award Increase

Minimum award wages increased by 4.75% from 1 July 2026, with the lowest rate in any award at least $26.44 per hour. Entry-level rates (first 6 months) must be at least $25.74 per hour. You can find your award's exact rates using the pay guides or the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool.

Casual Loading

Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the base rate. For the National Minimum Wage, that's $33.05 per hour. When using our casual loading calculator, enter your base hourly rate and tick the casual loading checkbox – never enter a rate that already includes the loading.

Tax and Super: What Comes Off and What Goes On

Income Tax (2026–27 Resident Rates)

Nil tax on the first $18,200
15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
45% on income above $190,000

Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (with reductions for low-income earners based on 2025–26 thresholds). Our take-home pay calculator applies these rates but does not deduct HELP, Medicare levy surcharge, or salary packaging.

Superannuation Guarantee

Employers must pay super of 12% on your ordinary earnings, on top of your salary. From 1 July 2026, super must be paid at the same time as wages (payday super). The super guarantee applies up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. For example, on the National Minimum Wage annual gross of $52,254.80, your employer would contribute an extra $6,270.58 to super.

Putting It All Together: An Example

Consider a full-time employee on the National Minimum Wage:

Hourly rate: $26.44
Weekly hours: 38
Weekly gross: $1,004.90
Annual gross: $52,254.80
Fortnightly gross: $2,009.80
Estimated tax (including Medicare): approximately $7,867 (varies with individual circumstances)
Estimated super (12% on top): $6,270.58

Compare this to the average full-time adult ordinary time earnings of $2,083.70 per week (Australian Bureau of Statistics, May 2026). The NRL salary cap is a high-profile benchmark for professional athletes, but for most workers the National Minimum Wage or award rates are the floor.

Important Notes

Our calculator assumes the same rate every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, allowances, or 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 as the 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed.
This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax.

For more details, see our minimum wage and super and packaging pages.