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 weeks. For a standard full-time week of 38 hours, the formula is: hourly rate × 38 × 52. This gives your gross annual pay before tax and super. Remember that super is paid on top of this amount, not deducted from it.

What is the super salary sacrifice limit?

The super salary sacrifice limit refers to the annual concessional contributions cap set by the Australian Taxation Office. This cap limits how much you can salary sacrifice into super before additional tax applies. The limit applies to all concessional contributions, including employer super guarantee contributions and any salary sacrifice amounts. Exceeding the cap may result in extra tax. Check the current cap on the ATO website.

Does the National Minimum Wage apply to all jobs?

No. The National Minimum Wage set by the Fair Work Commission is the minimum for employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. Most employees are covered by an award that sets higher minimum rates for their industry or occupation. Casual employees also receive a 25% loading on top of the base rate. Always check the relevant award or the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides for your correct minimum.

Hourly to Annual Pay: How to Convert Your Rate and Understand the Super Salary Sacrifice Limit

For a 38-hour week, annual gross pay is your hourly rate multiplied by 38 then by 52, with super paid on top.

Converting your hourly rate to annual, fortnightly and weekly pay

Whether you're negotiating a salary offer or checking your pay, knowing how to convert an hourly rate to annual pay is essential. The standard formula is simple: multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work each week, then multiply by 52 weeks. For a full-time employee working 38 hours per week, that's hourly rate × 38 × 52. This gives your gross annual pay before tax and before super.

If you work a different number of hours each week, use your actual weekly hours. The the timesheet on this site lets you enter your base hourly rate and see the annual, fortnightly and weekly equivalents. It also includes a checkbox to add 25% casual loading on top of your base rate – never enter a rate that already includes casual loading.

Fortnightly and weekly pay

Your fortnightly pay is simply your weekly pay multiplied by two. Weekly pay is your hourly rate times your weekly hours. For a 38-hour week: weekly = hourly × 38; fortnightly = hourly × 38 × 2. These figures help you budget and compare with salary offers that are quoted per year or per fortnight.

National Minimum Wage vs award rates

The Fair Work Commission sets the National Minimum Wage each year. From 1 July 2026, the minimum is $26.44 per hour, or $1004.90 per week for 38 hours. Casual employees get an extra 25% loading, making the casual minimum $33.05 per hour. However, most employees are covered by an industry or occupation award that sets higher minimum rates. Award rates vary by classification and often include penalty rates, allowances and overtime. The National Minimum Wage applies only to employees not covered by an award or registered agreement.

To find the correct minimum for your job, check the pay guides on the Fair Work Ombudsman website or use our reference tables. If you are covered by an award, your base rate will be higher than the National Minimum Wage. The figures on this page are estimates based on the National Minimum Wage unless you enter your own rate.

Super guarantee and the super salary sacrifice limit

Employers must pay super guarantee contributions on top of your ordinary earnings. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of your ordinary time earnings. This is paid in addition to your salary or wage – it is not deducted from your pay. The maximum contribution base is $270,830 per year. Once your earnings exceed that amount, your employer does not have to pay super on the excess.

If you choose to salary sacrifice some of your pre-tax pay into super, those contributions count towards the super salary sacrifice limit – officially called the concessional contributions cap. This cap is set each year by the Australian Taxation Office. It includes all concessional contributions: your employer's super guarantee payments plus any salary sacrifice amounts you arrange. Exceeding the cap may result in additional tax. The cap changes over time, so check the ATO website for the current figure.

Remember that super is paid on top of your hourly rate. When you convert your hourly rate to annual pay, the super amount is separate. For example, if your annual gross pay is $60,000, your employer would contribute an extra $7,200 in super (12%), making your total remuneration $67,200. The super and packaging page has more detail.

Tax and take-home pay

Your annual gross pay is not what you take home. The Australian Taxation Office applies income tax and the Medicare levy. For the 2026–27 financial year, 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

Plus a Medicare levy of 2% (generally). The tax-free threshold is included. These rates apply to your taxable income, which is your gross pay minus any deductions. The take-home pay estimator on this site can give you an approximate net figure.

Important assumptions

Our annual pay calculation assumes you work the same number of hours every week, with 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 repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge and salary packaging are not deducted. This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax.

Using the timesheet and other tools

Our the timesheet is the home page where you can type your base hourly rate. A checkbox adds 25% casual loading on top. You'll see your weekly, fortnightly and annual gross pay instantly. For more detailed comparisons, explore the average pay page which uses Australian Bureau of Statistics data. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026 show full-time adult ordinary time earnings of $2083.70 per week, and all employees total earnings of $1579.20 per week (including part-time). These are averages, not medians for your specific job.

If you want to check award rates or find the correct minimum for your occupation, see the minimum wage and job pay pages. The hourly conversion guide explains the formula in more detail. For casual workers, the casual loading page covers the 25% loading and how it interacts with the National Minimum Wage and awards.

Remember, the super salary sacrifice limit is an important consideration if you plan to boost your super through salary sacrifice. Always check the current cap with the ATO or your super fund before making arrangements. This limit applies per financial year and includes all concessional contributions. If you exceed it, the excess is taxed at your marginal rate plus an additional charge.

Summary

Converting your hourly rate to annual pay is straightforward: hourly × hours per week × 52. For a standard 38-hour week, that's hourly × 38 × 52. Your fortnightly pay is twice your weekly pay. Super is paid on top at 12% up to the maximum contribution base. Tax is calculated using the resident rates and Medicare levy. The super salary sacrifice limit caps how much you can contribute concessionality each year. Use our tools to estimate your pay, but always verify with your employer or a qualified adviser for your specific situation.