How do I convert my hourly rate to annual pay?

Multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work each week, then multiply by 52. For a standard 38-hour week, annual gross = hourly × 38 × 52. This assumes the same rate every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. If you work different hours, adjust the weekly figure accordingly.

Does the National Minimum Wage apply to my job if I'm under an award?

The National Minimum Wage ($26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026) is the legal floor for all employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. If you are covered by an award, your minimum pay rate is set by that award, which is often higher than the National Minimum Wage. Check your award classification on the Fair Work Ombudsman website. Casual employees also receive a 25% loading on top of the base rate.

How is superannuation calculated on my hourly rate?

Superannuation guarantee is 12% of your ordinary earnings, paid on top of your gross pay. For example, if your hourly rate is $26.44, super is $3.17 per hour (12% of $26.44). The super guarantee applies up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. Salary sacrifice arrangements, such as an ADF salary sacrifice car, can reduce your ordinary earnings for super purposes, but this calculator does not account for that.

ADF Salary Sacrifice Car: How to Convert Your Hourly Rate to Annual Pay Under the National Minimum Wage

Based on the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour for a 38-hour week, annual gross pay is approximately $52,240 before tax and super.

Converting Hourly Pay to Annual Salary: The Basics

If you earn an hourly rate and want to know what that means as an annual salary, the standard formula is straightforward: hourly rate × hours per week × 52. This article assumes a 38-hour week, which is the full-time benchmark used by the Fair Work Commission and the Australian Bureau of Statistics. For example, the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour gives an annual gross of $26.44 × 38 × 52 = $52,239.44 (rounded to $52,240).

Why 38 Hours and 52 Weeks?

The 38-hour week is the ordinary hours for a full-time employee under many awards and the National Employment Standards. Multiplying by 52 weeks gives a yearly figure, but remember that paid leave (annual leave, personal leave) is usually included in that calculation because you are paid for those weeks even when not working. If you work part-time or irregular hours, adjust the weekly hours to your average. The formula also assumes you are paid the same rate every week, with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances.

National Minimum Wage vs Award Rates

The National Minimum Wage is set by the Fair Work Commission and applies to employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. 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. However, most employees are covered by an industry or occupation award, which often sets higher minimum rates. For example, a retail employee might have a higher base rate under the General Retail Industry Award. Always check your award classification on the Fair Work Ombudsman website. The figures in this article are based on the National Minimum Wage unless stated otherwise.

Casual Loading and Superannuation

If you are a casual employee, your hourly rate typically includes a 25% loading in lieu of paid leave. When using the casual loading calculator, you should enter the base rate without loading, then tick the checkbox to add 25% on top. Do not enter a rate that already includes the loading. Superannuation guarantee is 12% of your ordinary earnings, paid on top of your gross pay. For a full-time employee on the minimum wage, super adds about $6,269 per year (12% of $52,240). The super guarantee stops at the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. This estimate does not include salary sacrifice arrangements, such as an ADF salary sacrifice car, which can reduce your taxable income but is not included in this calculator.

Fortnightly Pay and Take-Home Amount

Many Australian employees are paid fortnightly. To find your fortnightly gross, multiply your weekly pay by 2. For the National Minimum Wage: $1,004.90 × 2 = $2,009.80 per fortnight before tax. After tax and Medicare levy, your take-home pay will be lower. Use the take-home pay calculator for a more detailed estimate. The 2026–27 resident tax rates apply: nil up to $18,200, 15% from $18,201 to $45,000, 30% from $45,001 to $135,000, 37% from $135,001 to $190,000, and 45% above that. Medicare levy is generally 2% of taxable income, with reductions for low-income earners (using the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds as the 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed here).

Average Weekly Earnings as a Benchmark

The Australian Bureau of Statistics publishes Average Weekly Earnings (AWE) for full-time adult ordinary time employees. As of May 2026, that figure is $2,083.70 per week. This is an average across all industries and states, not a median for any specific job. If you are comparing your pay to industry averages, remember that AWE includes higher-paid roles and may not reflect your occupation. The average pay page provides more context. For job-specific pay, refer to your award or enterprise agreement.

Using the Timesheet and Reference Tables

Our timesheet allows you to enter your base hourly rate and see annual, fortnightly, and weekly figures. A checkbox adds 25% casual loading. The reference tables provide pre-calculated conversions for common rates. For more detailed pay guides, see the pay guides section. If you are covered by an award, check the minimum wage page for the latest rates. Remember that this calculator is an estimate and does not include penalty rates, allowances, or salary packaging.

Important Disclaimer

Annual pay 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.