SES Band 1 Salary: How to Convert Your Hourly Rate to Annual Pay
For a 38-hour week, annual gross pay is hourly rate × 38 × 52. The SES band 1 salary is set by the Remuneration Tribunal and is not covered by awards.
Understanding Your Pay: From Hourly to Annual
Whether you are negotiating a salary or checking a job offer, converting between hourly and annual pay is a fundamental skill. This guide explains the standard method, the assumptions we use, and how the SES band 1 salary fits into the broader pay landscape in Australia.
How to Convert Hourly to Annual Pay
The basic formula is:
Annual gross pay = hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks
For a full-time employee working 38 hours per week (the standard under the National Employment Standards), the calculation becomes:
Annual gross pay = hourly rate × 38 × 52
This assumes you work the same number of hours every week, with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. If you are part-time or casual, adjust the hours per week accordingly. For example, a part-timer working 20 hours per week would use 20 instead of 38.
Our hourly conversion tool lets you try different scenarios. You can also use the timesheet to track your actual hours and compare.
The National Minimum Wage and Award Rates
From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour for employees 21 and over, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the minimum casual rate $33.05 per hour.
However, most employees are covered by a modern award that sets higher minimum rates. For instance, the Health Professionals and Support Services Award and the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award have their own pay guides. Always check the relevant award or enterprise agreement before relying on the national minimum wage.
Casual Loading and Superannuation
If you are a casual employee, your hourly rate should include the 25% casual loading on top of the base rate. When using our casual loading calculator, enter the base hourly rate (without loading) and tick the checkbox to add 25%. Do not enter a rate that already includes casual loading.
Superannuation is paid on top of your gross earnings. The super guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 (2026–27). For example, if your annual gross is $80,000, your employer should contribute an additional $9,600 in super. This is not deducted from your pay; it is an extra cost to the employer. Learn more on our super and packaging page.
Tax and Take-Home Pay
Your take-home pay is your gross annual pay minus tax and the Medicare levy. For 2026–27, the resident tax rates are:
- Nil 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
Medicare levy is generally 2% of your taxable income. Use our take-home pay calculator for an estimate. Note that HELP repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not included in this estimate.
The SES Band 1 Salary in Context
The SES band 1 salary is a classification for senior executives in the Australian Public Service. Unlike award-covered roles, SES salaries are set by the Remuneration Tribunal and vary by agency and individual determination. They are typically well above the average weekly earnings reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
For context, the ABS Average Weekly Earnings for full-time adult ordinary time earnings was $2,083.70 per week in May 2026. That equates to an annual salary of about $108,352 (assuming 52 weeks). An SES band 1 salary is significantly higher, often starting above $200,000 per year. However, because it is not a single figure, you should consult the latest Remuneration Tribunal determination or your agency’s enterprise agreement for exact rates.
When comparing an SES band 1 salary to an hourly rate, remember that senior executives are usually paid an annual salary, not an hourly wage. If you want to know the equivalent hourly rate, divide the annual salary by 38 and then by 52. For example, a $200,000 annual salary equates to approximately $101 per hour.
Using Our Tools
Our reference tables provide historical minimum wage rates and award classifications. The pay guides section links to Fair Work Ombudsman resources for specific industries. For a quick estimate of your annual pay from an hourly rate, use the timesheet on our home page.
Remember that all calculations here are estimates. They assume a consistent 38-hour week, no unpaid overtime, and no penalty rates or allowances. 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 because the 2026–27 reduction thresholds were not confirmed here. This is not a determination of your pay or tax liability.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.