What is the national minimum wage for an admin assistant?

From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for 38 ordinary hours, as set by the Fair Work Commission. This is the minimum for award/agreement-free adult employees. Many admin assistants are covered by awards such as the Clerks Award, which may have higher minimum rates depending on classification and experience.

How is casual loading calculated for an admin assistant?

Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the base hourly rate. For the national minimum wage, that means $33.05 per hour ($26.44 × 1.25). The loading compensates for not receiving paid leave. When using the timesheet, check the 'casual loading' box to add 25% automatically – do not enter a rate that already includes loading.

What is the super guarantee rate and how does it affect an admin assistant salary?

The super guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings, paid on top of your salary. For example, if your annual salary is $52,254.80, your employer must contribute an extra $6,270.58 to your super fund, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. Super is not deducted from your pay; it is an additional benefit.

Admin Assistant Salary: How to Convert Hourly Pay to Annual, Fortnightly and After Tax

For a full-time admin assistant on the national minimum wage, the annual salary is approximately $52,254.80 based on 38 hours per week at $26.44 per hour, before tax and super.

Understanding the Admin Assistant Salary Conversion

When you see an admin assistant salary advertised as an hourly rate, converting it to annual, fortnightly, or weekly figures helps you compare job offers and budget. The standard formula is:

Annual gross pay = hourly rate × hours per week × 52

This article assumes a 38-hour week, which is the ordinary full-time hours used by the Fair Work Commission and the Australian Bureau of Statistics. If your role is part-time or irregular, adjust the hours accordingly.

For example, an admin assistant earning the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026) would have:

Weekly: $26.44 × 38 = $1,004.72 (rounded to $1,004.90 per the Fair Work Commission)
Fortnightly: $1,004.72 × 2 = $2,009.44
Annual: $26.44 × 38 × 52 = $52,254.80

These figures are before tax and super. The fortnightly amount is useful for budgeting if you are paid every two weeks.

National Minimum Wage vs Award Rates for Admin Assistants

The national minimum wage is the legal floor. However, most admin assistants are covered by an award – commonly the Clerks Award or the Administrative and Clerical Employees Award. Award rates are higher than the national minimum wage and vary by classification level, experience, and location. From 1 July 2026, award minimum wages increased by 4.75% Fair Work Ombudsman.

To find the correct rate for your role, use the pay guides on the Fair Work Ombudsman website or the reference tables on this site. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings (May 2026) for full-time adult ordinary time earnings is $2,083.70 per week, which equates to about $54.83 per hour for 38 hours – but that includes all occupations. An admin assistant salary is typically lower, often between $26 and $35 per hour depending on the award classification.

Casual Loading

If you work as a casual admin assistant, you are entitled to a 25% loading on the base hourly rate. For the national minimum wage, that becomes $33.05 per hour. The loading is paid on top and is not part of your base rate. When using the timesheet (home page), tick the casual loading checkbox – never enter a rate that already includes loading.

Tax and Super on Your Admin Assistant Salary

Income Tax (2026–27)

The Australian Taxation Office applies a progressive tax scale for residents:

$0 – $18,200: Nil
$18,201 – $45,000: 15 cents per dollar over $18,200
$45,001 – $135,000: 30 cents per dollar over $45,000
$135,001 – $190,000: 37 cents per dollar over $135,000
$190,001+: 45 cents per dollar over $190,000

Plus a Medicare levy of 2% (with possible reductions for low-income earners). The tax calculation on this site uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds as the 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed at the time of reference.

For an admin assistant on the national minimum wage ($52,254.80 annual), the estimated tax (including Medicare) would be roughly $7,200–$7,500, leaving a take-home pay of about $44,750–$45,050 per year. Use the take-home pay tool for a personalised estimate.

Super Guarantee

Your employer must pay super guarantee of 12% on your ordinary earnings, on top of your salary. For the same admin assistant, that is an extra $6,270.58 per year (up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830). Super is not deducted from your pay – it is an additional contribution to your super fund. See super and packaging for more details.

Using the Timesheet for Your Admin Assistant Salary

The timesheet on this site lets you enter your base hourly rate and instantly see weekly, fortnightly, monthly, and annual figures. Check the casual loading box if applicable. The results include estimated tax and super, but remember:

It assumes the same rate every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, allowances, or 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.
HELP, Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted.

This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax.

Fortnightly and Annual Figures in Context

Knowing your fortnightly pay helps with budgeting. For an admin assistant on $30 per hour (a common award rate for a mid-level classification):

Weekly: $30 × 38 = $1,140
Fortnightly: $2,280
Annual: $30 × 38 × 52 = $59,280

Compare this with the national minimum wage example above. The difference highlights why checking your specific award rate is important. The minimum wage page has more details on the national minimum and special rates.

For a deeper dive into hourly conversion methods, see the hourly conversion topic. If you are comparing job offers, the job pay guide can help you evaluate total remuneration including super and benefits.

Remember: the figures here are based on the Fair Work Commission's national minimum wage order and the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides Fair Work Commission. Always verify your specific award or agreement for the most accurate admin assistant salary.