Understanding the 482 Salary Requirement: Hourly to Annual Pay with Casual Loading and Super
For a full-time employee working 38 hours per week, annual gross pay is hourly rate × 38 × 52, with super paid on top at 12% of ordinary earnings.
Converting Hourly to Annual Pay
When you have an hourly rate or a salary offer, understanding the full annual picture is essential. The standard formula is simple: hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks. For most full-time employees, the ordinary hours are 38 per week, as set by the National Employment Standards. This article explains how to calculate your annual gross pay, including casual loading and super, and how it relates to the 482 salary requirement.
The Basic Calculation
Assume a 38-hour week. If your hourly rate is $30.00, your annual gross pay is:
$30.00 × 38 × 52 = $59,280
This is before tax, super, and any other deductions. The same formula works for any hourly rate. For a part-time employee working fewer hours, adjust the weekly hours accordingly. The fortnightly equivalent is weekly pay × 2, which helps when budgeting.
National Minimum Wage and Award Rates
From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. This is the minimum for award/agreement-free adult employees. Most employees are covered by a modern award, which sets higher minimum rates for specific industries and roles. Award rates often include penalty rates, allowances, and overtime. The 482 salary requirement is typically above the award minimum because it must reflect the market salary rate for the occupation.
Casual Loading
Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the base hourly rate. This compensates for not receiving paid leave entitlements such as annual leave and sick leave. The casual loading is paid on top of the minimum wage or award rate. For example, the casual National Minimum Wage is $33.05 per hour ($26.44 + 25%). When calculating annual pay for a casual, apply the loading to the hourly rate first, then multiply by hours and weeks. The 482 salary requirement for a casual worker must include this loading.
Superannuation Paid on Top
Superannuation is an additional 12% of your ordinary earnings, paid by your employer into a super fund. It is not deducted from your gross pay; it is paid on top. For the 2026–27 year, the super guarantee is 12%, with a maximum contribution base of $270,830. So if your annual gross pay is $60,000, your employer must contribute $7,200 in super. This is separate from your salary and is a key part of your total remuneration package.
Tax and Medicare
Your annual gross pay is subject to income tax and the Medicare levy. For 2026–27, the resident tax rates are:
- Nil up to $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
The Medicare levy is generally 2% of taxable income. The tax-free threshold means you pay no tax on the first $18,200. Use our take-home pay tool to estimate your net income.
The 482 Salary Requirement Explained
The 482 salary requirement is the minimum annual salary that must be paid to a Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa holder. It is not a fixed dollar amount; it is based on the market salary rate for the occupation. The Fair Work Ombudsman enforces that 482 visa holders receive the same minimum workplace rights as Australian employees, including the National Minimum Wage, award rates, casual loading, and super. The salary must be at least the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), which is updated periodically. However, the market rate may be higher. Always check the latest TSMIT figure from the Department of Home Affairs.
Fortnightly Pay and Budgeting
Many employers pay fortnightly. To find your fortnightly gross pay, multiply your weekly pay by 2. For a full-time employee on the minimum wage, weekly pay is $1,004.90, so fortnightly is $2,009.80. This helps when comparing salary offers or planning expenses. Our hourly conversion page can assist with quick calculations.
Important Notes
This article provides estimates. Annual pay 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 more details on minimum wages, see our minimum wage page. For information on casual loading, visit casual loading.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.