How do I convert my hourly rate to annual pay?

Multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work each week, then multiply by 52. For a standard full-time role of 38 hours, the formula is: hourly rate × 38 × 52. This gives your gross annual pay before tax and super. Our [the timesheet](/) calculator does this for you, and you can add casual loading if applicable.

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 lack of leave entitlements. From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage for casuals is $33.05 per hour (including loading). If you are a casual, use the checkbox on our [the timesheet](/) calculator to add 25% – never type a rate that already includes loading.

How does salary sacrifice cars impact my take-home pay?

Salary sacrifice cars (novated leases) let you pay for a car from your pre-tax salary, reducing your taxable income. This lowers the amount of tax and Medicare levy you pay, but it also reduces your super guarantee (calculated on ordinary earnings). Our calculator does not include salary sacrifice, but you can estimate the effect by reducing your hourly rate by the sacrificed amount. For more, see [super and packaging](/topics/super-and-packaging).

Hourly to Annual Pay: Salary Sacrifice Cars and Your Take-Home Pay

This guide converts an hourly rate to annual, fortnightly, and weekly pay based on a 38-hour week, with tax and super estimates.

Understanding Hourly to Annual Conversion

When you have an hourly rate or a salary offer, converting between the two helps you compare jobs and plan your budget. The standard formula in Australia is:

Annual gross pay = hourly rate × hours per week × 52

For a full-time employee working 38 hours each week, this becomes:

Annual = hourly × 38 × 52

This assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. It is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax.

Why 38 Hours?

The Fair Work Commission sets the National Minimum Wage based on a 38-hour week for full-time employees. Many awards and agreements also use 38 hours. If your job has a different standard (e.g., 40 hours), adjust the formula accordingly. Our reference tables provide common industry hours.

Fortnightly and Weekly Pay

Most Australian employers pay fortnightly. To find your fortnightly gross pay:

Fortnightly = hourly × 38 × 2

Or simply multiply your weekly pay (hourly × 38) by 2. For example, at the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026), weekly pay is $1,004.90 and fortnightly pay is $2,009.80.

Minimum Wage, Awards, and Casual Loading

The National Minimum Wage (from 1 July 2026) is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. However, most employees are covered by an award or enterprise agreement that sets higher minimum rates. Check your award on the Fair Work Ombudsman website or use our pay guides for common awards.

Casual loading is an extra 25% on top of the base rate to compensate for not receiving paid leave. For minimum wage casuals, the rate is $33.05 per hour (including loading). When using our the timesheet calculator, tick the casual loading checkbox – never type a rate that already includes the loading.

Superannuation: Paid on Top

Your employer must pay super guarantee of 12% of your ordinary earnings (from 1 July 2026) into a super fund. This is paid on top of your gross pay, not deducted from it. The super guarantee applies up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. For example, on a $60,000 salary, super adds $7,200 per year.

Tax and Medicare Levy

Your annual gross pay is taxed using the resident tax rates for 2026–27:

Nil tax 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

Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (generally). The 2026–27 reduction thresholds were not confirmed at the time of this guide, so we use the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds. HELP loans, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted in this estimate.

Salary Sacrifice Cars and Your Pay

Salary sacrifice cars (novated leases) allow you to pay for a car from your pre-tax salary, reducing your taxable income. This lowers the tax and Medicare levy you pay, but it also reduces the super guarantee because super is calculated on your reduced ordinary earnings. If you salary sacrifice a car, your take-home pay may increase, but your super balance grows more slowly.

Our calculator does not include salary sacrifice, but you can estimate the effect by reducing your hourly rate by the sacrificed amount. For more details, see super and packaging.

Average Weekly Earnings

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports Average Weekly Earnings (AWE) for May 2026:

Full-time adult ordinary time: $2,083.70 per week
All employees total earnings (including part-time): $1,579.20 per week

These are averages across all industries and states, not medians for a specific job. Use them as a benchmark, not a target. For job-specific pay, see job pay.

Putting It All Together

To estimate your annual, fortnightly, and weekly pay:

Start with your base hourly rate (excluding casual loading).
Multiply by 38 (or your actual hours) and then by 52 for annual gross.
Add 25% casual loading if applicable.
Calculate super at 12% of ordinary earnings (on top).
Apply tax and Medicare levy to the annual gross (excluding super).

Remember: this is an estimate. For a precise calculation, use our the timesheet tool. Always check your award or agreement with the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Disclaimer

Annual pay 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.