TimesheetGuidesSuper and packaging
Convert Hourly to Annual Salary: Salary Packaging Government Employees and Ordinary-Time Earnings
Annual gross pay is hourly rate × hours per week × 52; for a 38‑hour week, the National Minimum Wage of $26.44/hour gives $52,229.44/year, plus 12% super on top.
Understanding the Hourly‑to‑Annual Conversion
When you know your hourly rate, converting it to an annual salary is straightforward: multiply your hourly pay by the number of hours you work each week, then multiply by 52. For most full‑time employees, the standard week is 38 hours, as defined by the Fair Work Ombudsman. So the formula becomes:
Annual gross pay = hourly rate × 38 × 52
This calculation assumes you work the same number of hours every week, with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, allowances, or salary sacrifice. It gives you a base figure to compare job offers or understand your earnings. For part‑time or casual workers, simply replace 38 with your actual weekly hours.
Why 38 Hours?
The 38‑hour week is the standard ordinary hours for full‑time employment under the National Employment Standards. If your award or agreement specifies different hours (e.g., 40 hours), use that number instead. The the timesheet on this site lets you enter any hourly rate and adjust for casual loading, making it easy to see your annual, fortnightly, and weekly pay.
Differences in Ordinary‑Time Earnings
Not all hourly rates are the same. The Australian pay landscape includes several key benchmarks:
National Minimum Wage
From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38‑hour week. This is the legal minimum for employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. Casual employees receive an additional 25% loading, bringing their minimum to $33.05 per hour. The minimum wage page has more details.
Award Rates
Award rates are set by the Fair Work Commission for specific industries and occupations. They are generally higher than the National Minimum Wage and include classifications based on skill level and experience. For example, a retail employee may have a different minimum than a hospitality worker. You can find your award rate on the pay guides page.
Average Weekly Earnings
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports Average Weekly Earnings (AWE) for May 2026. Full‑time adult ordinary time earnings are $2,083.70 per week, while all employees (including part‑time) earn $1,579.20 per week on average. These figures are averages, not medians for a specific job. If you are looking for a job‑specific median, refer to the job pay topic.
Casual Loading and Fortnightly Pay
Casual employees are entitled to a 25% loading on top of the base hourly rate to compensate for lack of paid leave. When using the the timesheet calculator, you can check a box to add casual loading automatically. Never enter a rate that already includes casual loading; the calculator applies it separately.
Fortnightly pay is simply your weekly pay multiplied by two. For example, at the National Minimum Wage of $26.44/hour for 38 hours, weekly pay is $1,004.90, so fortnightly pay is $2,009.80 before tax and super. Many employers pay fortnightly, so this figure is useful for budgeting.
Tax and Superannuation
Income Tax (2026–27)
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) resident tax rates for 2026–27 are:
- Nil on income up to $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
A Medicare levy of 2% generally applies, with reductions for low‑income earners (using 2025–26 single reduction thresholds as 2026–27 thresholds are not yet confirmed). The take‑home pay page can help estimate your net income.
Superannuation Guarantee
Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% on your ordinary earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. Super is paid on top of your salary, not deducted from it. For example, if your annual salary is $52,229.44 (minimum wage), your employer adds $6,267.53 in super. See super and packaging for more.
Salary Packaging Government Employees
Salary packaging government employees is a common arrangement where public sector workers can sacrifice part of their pre‑tax salary for benefits such as a car, additional super contributions, or work‑related expenses. This reduces taxable income, potentially lowering the tax you pay. However, the annual estimate on this page does not include salary packaging deductions. If you are a government employee considering salary packaging, use the reference tables to understand how packaging affects your take‑home pay, and consult your employer’s salary packaging provider.
Important Disclaimer
Annual pay shown here is hourly rate × hours per week × 52. It assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. Super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings only, paid on top, and stops at the $270,830 maximum contribution base. Tax is the 2026–27 resident scale with the full tax‑free threshold. Medicare uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds because the 2026–27 reduction thresholds were not confirmed here. HELP, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted. This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax. For personalised advice, speak to a qualified accountant or your payroll department.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.