What's the Salary? Converting Hourly Rates to Annual Pay with Casual Loading and Super
For a 38‑hour week, annual gross pay is hourly rate × 38 × 52; casual employees receive an extra 25% loading, and super is paid on top of ordinary earnings.
Understanding the Annual Salary Formula
When you ask "what's the salary?" from an hourly rate, the standard approach is to multiply your hourly pay by the number of hours you work each week, then by 52 weeks. For most full‑time and part‑time employees under an award, the ordinary hours are 38 per week. So the basic formula is:
Annual gross pay = hourly rate × 38 × 52
This gives you a quick estimate of your yearly earnings before tax and super. It assumes you work the same hours every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. For a more tailored calculation, use the timesheet.
The Fortnightly View
Many employers pay fortnightly. To find your fortnightly gross pay, simply multiply your weekly pay by 2. For a 38‑hour week at the National Minimum Wage ($26.44 per hour), weekly pay is $1,004.90, so a fortnight is $2,009.80. This can help you budget between paydays.
The National Minimum Wage and Award Rates
The Fair Work Commission sets the National Minimum Wage each year. From 1 July 2026, the rate is $26.44 per hour for adult employees not covered by an award or agreement. That works out to $1,004.90 for a 38‑hour week. You can find the latest rates on our minimum wage page.
Most employees are covered by a modern award, which sets higher minimum rates for specific industries and roles. For example, the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (SCHADS) has its own pay structure. Award rates are published in pay guides by the Fair Work Ombudsman. Always check the correct award for your job.
Casual Loading
Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate to compensate for not getting paid sick leave or annual leave. For the National Minimum Wage, the casual rate is $33.05 per hour ($26.44 × 1.25). When calculating your annual salary as a casual, use the loaded rate in the formula. Never type a rate that already includes casual loading into our calculator – just enter your base rate and tick the casual loading checkbox. See our casual loading guide for more.
Superannuation Paid on Top
Superannuation is an extra contribution your employer makes into your super fund. It is not part of your annual salary figure. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. So if your annual gross pay is $80,000, your employer adds $9,600 to your super. This is on top of your salary. Learn more about super and packaging.
Example: Casual Worker
A casual employee earning the minimum award rate of $30.00 per hour (base) would receive $37.50 per hour with the 25% loading. For a 38‑hour week, their annual gross pay is:
$37.50 × 38 × 52 = $74,100
Their employer also pays 12% super ($8,892) into their super fund, bringing the total employment cost to $82,992. The employee’s take‑home pay will be less after tax and Medicare.
Tax and Take-Home Pay Considerations
Your annual gross pay is not what lands in your bank account. The Australian Taxation Office withholds income tax and the Medicare levy (generally 2%). 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 over $190,000
Medicare is calculated on your taxable income. Use our take-home pay estimator for a clearer picture. Remember, this estimate does not include HELP repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, or salary packaging.
Using the Timesheet and Reference Tables
Our the timesheet lets you enter your base hourly rate and toggle casual loading to see your weekly, fortnightly, and annual pay instantly. For award‑specific rates, check the reference tables which include the latest Fair Work Ombudsman pay guides. The average pay page shows how your salary compares to the Australian Bureau of Statistics figures: full‑time adult ordinary time earnings were $2,083.70 per week in May 2026, while all employees (including part‑time) averaged $1,579.20 per week.
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.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are negotiating a job offer or checking your current pay, knowing "what's the salary?" from an hourly rate is straightforward with the 38‑hour week formula. Remember to include casual loading if applicable, and always treat super as an extra contribution. For personalised calculations, explore our hourly conversion tool and job pay resources.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.