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. For a standard full-time role, we assume 38 hours per week. For example, $30 per hour × 38 hours × 52 weeks = $59,280 per year. If you are casual, add the 25% loading to your base rate before multiplying (use the checkbox on our timesheet).

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

Casual loading is an extra 25% paid on top of the minimum hourly rate to compensate for not receiving paid leave. The Fair Work Ombudsman states that from 1 July 2026, the casual National Minimum Wage is $33.05 per hour (base $26.44 plus 25%). On our timesheet, you enter your base hourly rate and tick the casual loading checkbox; we add the 25% automatically. Never enter a rate that already includes casual loading.

How is superannuation calculated and is it included in my take-home pay?

Superannuation is paid on top of your ordinary earnings at 12% (from 1 July 2026) up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. It is not deducted from your gross pay; your employer adds it separately. Our estimates show super as an additional amount, not part of your take-home pay. Tax and Medicare levy are deducted from your gross pay using the 2026–27 resident tax rates (tax-free threshold up to $18,200).

Your Smart Salary Contact: Converting Hourly Pay to Annual, Fortnightly, and After-Tax Figures

For a 38-hour week, annual gross pay is hourly rate × 38 × 52; the National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1004.90 per week) and $33.05 per hour for casuals including 25% loading.

Your Smart Salary Contact: From Hourly to Annual and Beyond

Understanding your full pay picture is essential whether you’re negotiating a new role, comparing job offers, or planning your budget. This smart salary contact guide walks you through converting an hourly rate to annual, fortnightly, and after-tax figures, using the latest Fair Work Ombudsman and Fair Work Commission data. We also explain casual loading, superannuation paid on top, and the difference between the National Minimum Wage and award rates.

The Basic Formula: Hourly × Hours per Week × 52

Annual gross pay = hourly rate × hours worked per week × 52 weeks. For standard full-time or part-time roles, we assume a 38-hour week (the ordinary hours under most awards). If you work fewer or more hours, adjust accordingly. For example:

$26.44 per hour (National Minimum Wage) × 38 hours × 52 weeks = $52,265.44 per year.
$33.05 per hour (casual rate) × 38 hours × 52 weeks = $65,318.80 per year.

Your fortnightly gross pay is simply weekly pay × 2. Using the same example: $1004.90 per week × 2 = $2009.80 per fortnight.

National Minimum Wage vs Award Rates vs Casual Loading

The Fair Work Commission sets the National Minimum Wage each year. From 1 July 2026, it is $26.44 per hour for adult employees not covered by an award or agreement. This equals $1004.90 per 38-hour week. However, most employees are covered by an industry or occupation award that sets higher minimum rates. For instance, the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (SCHADS) has its own classification rates. Always check the relevant pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman to find your correct minimum.

Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the base rate to compensate for not receiving paid sick leave or annual leave. The Fair Work Ombudsman confirms that the casual National Minimum Wage is $33.05 per hour. On our timesheet, you enter your base hourly rate (the rate before any loading) and tick the casual loading checkbox. We then add the 25% automatically. Never enter a rate that already includes casual loading.

Superannuation: Paid on Top, Not Deducted

Superannuation guarantee contributions are paid by your employer on top of your ordinary earnings. From 1 July 2026, the rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. Super is not deducted from your gross pay; it is an additional benefit. For example, on a $59,280 annual salary, your employer would contribute an extra $7,113.60 in super. Our estimates show super as a separate line, not included in take-home pay.

Tax and Medicare Levy

We use the 2026–27 resident tax rates provided by the Australian Taxation Office:

$0 – $18,200: Nil
$18,201 – $45,000: 15% of excess over $18,200
$45,001 – $135,000: $4,020 plus 30% of excess over $45,000
$135,001 – $190,000: $31,020 plus 37% of excess over $135,000
$190,001+: $51,420 plus 45% of excess over $190,000

Medicare levy is generally 2% of taxable income. For 2025–26, the single reduction threshold is used because 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed at the time of this reference. HELP loans, Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted in our estimates.

Putting It All Together: Example

Let’s say you are a casual employee with a base award rate of $30 per hour. You work 38 hours per week.

Base hourly: $30.00
Casual loading (25%): $7.50 → total hourly $37.50
Weekly gross: $37.50 × 38 = $1,425.00
Fortnightly gross: $1,425.00 × 2 = $2,850.00
Annual gross: $1,425.00 × 52 = $74,100.00
Super (12% on top): $8,892.00 per year
Estimated tax (2026–27): approximately $14,092 (including Medicare) – use our take-home pay tool for exact figures.

When to Use a Different Hours Assumption

Our formula assumes 38 hours per week. If you work part-time, say 20 hours per week, simply replace 38 with 20. If you work irregular hours, use your average weekly hours. The average pay page shows that full-time adult ordinary time earnings were $2,083.70 per week (ABS, May 2026), which implies an hourly rate of about $54.83 for a 38-hour week.

Important Disclaimer

Annual pay shown 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 uses the 2026–27 resident scale with full tax-free threshold. Medicare uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds. HELP, Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted. This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax.

For award-specific rates, always refer to the pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman. For casual loading details, see our casual loading page. Use our timesheet to run your own numbers with the casual loading checkbox.