TimesheetGuidesSuper and packaging
Hourly to Annual Pay: Use a Super Salary Sacrifice Calculator to Compare State Earnings
Based on a 38-hour week, your annual gross pay is your hourly rate multiplied by 1,976 hours (38 × 52).
How to Convert Your Hourly Rate to Annual Pay
Knowing your annual pay from an hourly rate is straightforward: multiply your hourly rate by the hours you work each week, then multiply by 52 weeks. For a standard full-time employee working 38 hours per week, the formula is:
Annual gross pay = hourly rate × 38 × 52
That gives you 1,976 hours per year. This calculation assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. Superannuation is paid on top of your ordinary earnings at 12% (the super guarantee rate for 2026–27), up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830.
Why We Use 38 Hours
Under the Fair Work Act, 38 hours is the standard full-time week for most awards and the National Minimum Wage. If you work different hours, adjust the formula accordingly. For part-time or casual workers, your weekly hours may vary. Our the timesheet lets you enter your actual hours and includes a checkbox to add 25% casual loading on top of your base rate. Never enter a rate that already includes casual loading – the tool adds it for you.
Fortnightly Pay
Many employers pay fortnightly. Your fortnightly gross pay is simply your weekly pay multiplied by two. For a 38-hour week at $30 per hour, that’s $30 × 38 × 2 = $2,280 per fortnight before tax and super. Use this figure to budget or compare with salary offers.
Understanding the National Minimum Wage and Award Rates
The Fair Work Commission sets the National Minimum Wage each year. From 1 July 2026, it is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual minimum $33.05 per hour. This loading compensates for the lack of paid leave.
Award rates are higher minimums for specific industries and jobs. They are set by the Fair Work Ombudsman and vary by classification, experience, and location. Always check the relevant pay guides or reference tables for your correct minimum pay. The rates on this page are averages or minimums, not a median for your specific job. For example, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Average Weekly Earnings for full-time adult ordinary time (May 2026) is $2,083.70 per week – that is an average across all full-time employees, not a median for any particular occupation.
Casual Loading and Super
Casual loading (25%) is paid on top of your base hourly rate. Super is then calculated on your ordinary earnings (including the loading) at 12%. For a casual on the minimum wage: base $26.44 + loading $6.61 = $33.05 per hour. Super at 12% = $3.97 per hour, paid on top. So total cost to employer is $37.02 per hour. Our casual loading page explains this in detail.
Tax and Take-Home Pay
Your annual gross pay is not what you take home. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) withholds tax using the 2026–27 resident tax rates:
- 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
Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (generally). The 2025–26 single reduction thresholds are used here because the 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed. Use our take-home pay calculator for a detailed estimate.
State Differences in Ordinary-Time Earnings
ABS data shows that average weekly ordinary-time earnings vary by state and territory. For example, full-time adult ordinary time earnings in May 2026 were $2,083.70 nationally, but some states are higher (e.g., mining-heavy regions) and some lower. These are averages, not medians for your job. Our reference tables provide state breakdowns so you can compare. When using a super salary sacrifice calculator, remember that salary sacrifice reduces your taxable income but also your employer’s super guarantee obligation (since super is based on your reduced ordinary earnings). Our super salary sacrifice calculator helps you model different contribution levels and see the net effect on your pay.
How to Use the Super Salary Sacrifice Calculator
A super salary sacrifice calculator lets you enter your hourly rate, hours, and the amount you want to sacrifice. It then shows your reduced taxable income, the tax saved, and the extra super contributed. This is especially useful if you want to boost retirement savings while lowering your current tax bill. Remember that salary sacrifice agreements must be in place with your employer before the earnings are paid.
Important Notes and Disclaimer
The annual pay shown here is an estimate. 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 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 a personalised calculation, use our the timesheet and super salary sacrifice calculator. Always consult a qualified professional for specific advice.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.