How do I convert an hourly rate to an annual salary?

Multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work per 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, super, and other deductions. The same method works for any weekly hours; just adjust the hours figure.

What is the casual loading rate 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 paid leave entitlements. For example, the National Minimum Wage casual rate is $33.05 per hour (base $26.44 plus 25% loading). When using the timesheet calculator, enter your base rate and tick the casual loading checkbox – do not enter a rate that already includes loading.

What Is Minimum Wage in Australia? Hourly to Annual Pay, Casual Loading & Super Explained

Q: Is superannuation included in my hourly rate or paid separately?

Superannuation is paid on top of your ordinary earnings. The super guarantee rate is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, and your employer must pay this into your super fund. It is not deducted from your hourly rate. For example, on the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour, your employer pays an extra $3.17 per hour into super, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year.

For a full-time worker on the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour, the annual gross pay is about $52,270 based on 38 hours per week for 52 weeks.

What Is Minimum Wage in Australia?

If you’ve ever asked what is minimum wage in Australia, the answer starts with the National Minimum Wage set by the Fair Work Commission. From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. For casual employees, the rate is $33.05 per hour including the 25% casual loading. These figures are the legal floor – many awards and enterprise agreements set higher rates.

How to Convert Hourly to Annual Pay

The standard formula to estimate your annual gross pay is:

Hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks

For a full-time worker on 38 hours per week, this becomes:

$26.44 × 38 × 52 = $52,269.44 per year

This calculation assumes you work the same number of hours every week, with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, allowances, or salary sacrifice. It’s a useful starting point for comparing job offers or understanding your baseline earnings.

If you work different hours, simply replace 38 with your usual weekly hours. For example, a part-time worker on 20 hours per week at the minimum wage would earn:

$26.44 × 20 × 52 = $27,497.60 per year

The Fortnightly View

Many Australians are paid fortnightly. To find your gross fortnightly pay, multiply your weekly pay by 2. For a full-time minimum wage worker:

$1,004.90 × 2 = $2,009.80 per fortnight

This can help you budget between paydays.

Casual Loading and Super Paid on Top

Two important additions to your base rate are casual loading and superannuation.

Casual Loading

Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the base hourly rate to compensate for not receiving paid sick leave or annual leave. The casual rate for the National Minimum Wage is $33.05 per hour ($26.44 × 1.25).

When using the timesheet, you enter your base hourly rate and tick the casual loading checkbox. Do not enter a rate that already includes casual loading – the calculator will add it for you.

Superannuation

Superannuation is paid on top of your ordinary earnings. The super guarantee rate is 12% from 1 July 2026, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. Your employer must pay this into your nominated super fund. It is not deducted from your hourly rate.

For a full-time minimum wage worker:

Ordinary earnings per year: $52,269.44
Super paid on top: $6,272.33 (12% of $52,269.44)
Total cost to employer: $58,541.77

Super is only paid on ordinary time earnings, not on overtime or expense reimbursements.

Award Rates vs National Minimum Wage

The National Minimum Wage is the legal floor, but most employees are covered by an award or enterprise agreement that sets higher minimum rates. Awards are industry or occupation-specific and often include penalty rates, allowances, and overtime. For example, the Hospitality Award may have different rates for weekends and public holidays.

To find the correct rate for your job, check the pay guides or the Fair Work Ombudsman website. The reference tables on this site summarise common award classifications.

Tax and Take-Home Pay

Your take-home pay depends on your taxable income and the tax brackets for 2026–27:

$0 – $18,200: Nil tax
$18,201 – $45,000: 15% on excess over $18,200
$45,001 – $135,000: 30% on excess over $45,000
$135,001 – $190,000: 37% on excess over $135,000
$190,001+: 45% on excess over $190,000

Plus a Medicare levy of 2% (with reductions for low-income earners using 2025–26 thresholds).

For a full-time minimum wage worker earning $52,269.44:

Tax on first $18,200: $0
Tax on $18,201 to $45,000: ($45,000 – $18,200) × 15% = $4,020
Tax on $45,001 to $52,269.44: ($52,269.44 – $45,000) × 30% = $2,180.83
Total tax: $6,200.83
Medicare levy (2% of $52,269.44): $1,045.39
Take-home pay: $45,023.22 per year (before any deductions or tax offsets)

For a more detailed estimate, see the take-home pay page.

Using the Timesheet Calculator

Our timesheet lets you enter your base hourly rate and choose whether you are casual. It calculates your annual, monthly, fortnightly, and weekly gross pay, plus estimated super and tax. Remember: the calculator assumes a 38-hour week unless you change the hours. It does not include penalty rates, allowances, or salary sacrifice.

Important Disclaimer

Annual pay shown 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.

Average Weekly Earnings

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports average weekly earnings. In May 2026, full-time adult ordinary time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week, while all employees (including part-time) averaged $1,579.20 per week. These are averages, not medians for a specific job. Your pay may differ based on your industry, experience, and location.

For more on how your pay compares, see the average pay page.

Key Takeaways

What is minimum wage? The National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026.
Annual formula: Hourly × hours per week × 52. Assume 38 hours for full-time.
Casual loading: 25% on top of base rate – use the checkbox on the casual loading page.
Super: 12% paid on top of ordinary earnings, up to $270,830 per year.
Tax: Use the 2026–27 brackets and 2% Medicare levy.

Understanding these basics helps you compare job offers, negotiate pay, and plan your finances. Always check your award or agreement for your exact entitlements.