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

Multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work each week, then by 52. For a full-time worker on 38 hours a week, the formula is: hourly rate × 38 × 52. This gives your annual gross pay before tax and super. For example, at the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour, the annual gross is $26.44 × 38 × 52 = $52,245.44. Super is paid on top at 12%.

What is the difference between the National Minimum Wage and award rates?

The National Minimum Wage is the base minimum for employees not covered by an award or agreement, set by the Fair Work Commission. Award rates are higher minimums for specific industries or jobs, set by the Fair Work Ombudsman. Many workers, including those in aged care, are covered by awards that may include penalty rates, allowances, and conditions. Casual employees also receive a 25% loading on top of the base rate.

How does aged care salary packaging affect my take-home pay?

Aged care salary packaging allows you to pay for certain expenses (like rent or mortgage) from pre-tax income, reducing your taxable income and increasing your take-home pay. It is a common benefit for aged care workers. However, our estimate does not include salary packaging; it uses the standard tax scale. For a personalised calculation, use the [timesheet](/topics/super-and-packaging) tool and consult your employer.

How to Convert Your Hourly Rate to Annual Pay: A Guide Including Aged Care Salary Packaging

For a 38-hour week, your annual gross pay is your hourly rate multiplied by 1,976 hours (38 × 52), with super paid on top.

Converting Your Hourly Rate to Annual Pay

Whether you are negotiating a salary offer or budgeting from an hourly wage, understanding your annual pay is essential. The standard formula is straightforward: multiply your hourly rate by the hours you work each week, then by 52 weeks in a year. For most full-time roles, a 38-hour week is the benchmark set by the Fair Work Ombudsman. This guide explains the conversion, including tax, super, and how aged care salary packaging can affect your take-home pay.

The Basic Formula

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

If you work 38 hours each week, the annual hours are 38 × 52 = 1,976. For example, at the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026), your annual gross would be $26.44 × 1,976 = $52,245.44. This assumes the same rate every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances.

If you work a different number of hours, adjust the formula accordingly. For part-time or casual roles, use your usual weekly hours. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the base rate – for the minimum wage, that is $33.05 per hour. When using our timesheet, you can check a box to add casual loading; never type a rate that already includes it.

Fortnightly Pay

Many employers pay fortnightly. To estimate your gross pay per fortnight, multiply your weekly pay by 2. Weekly pay is hourly rate × hours per week. For a 38-hour week at minimum wage, weekly gross is $26.44 × 38 = $1,004.72, so fortnightly is $2,009.44. This helps when comparing salary offers or budgeting.

Tax and Medicare

Your annual gross is not what you take home. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) applies a progressive tax scale for 2026–27:

Nil tax 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 above $190,000

Plus, a Medicare levy of 2% generally applies. Our take-home pay estimate uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds because the 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed here. It does not include HELP repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, or salary packaging.

Superannuation

Super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary earnings, paid on top of your gross pay by your employer. The maximum contribution base is $270,830 per year. For example, on the minimum wage annual gross of $52,245.44, super adds $6,269.45. This is not deducted from your pay; it goes into your super fund. See our super and packaging page for more.

Industry Averages vs Job Medians

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports average weekly earnings. For full-time adult ordinary time in May 2026, the average was $2,083.70 per week. All employees (including part-time) averaged $1,579.20 per week. In health care and social assistance, full-time ordinary time averaged $2,037.20 per week. This is an industry average, not a job median. Your specific role may differ. For job-specific pay, refer to job pay guides or award rates from the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Aged Care Salary Packaging

For workers in aged care, salary packaging is a valuable benefit. It allows you to use pre-tax income to pay for certain expenses, such as rent, mortgage, or living costs, reducing your taxable income and increasing your take-home pay. This is separate from the standard pay conversion. Our estimate does not include salary packaging; it assumes no salary sacrifice. To see how packaging affects your numbers, use the reference tables or consult your employer. The term aged care salary packaging appears in many workplace agreements, so check your award or enterprise agreement.

Using the Timesheet Calculator

Our the timesheet is designed for quick conversions. Enter your base hourly rate (without casual loading) and check the casual loading box if applicable. The tool calculates annual gross, fortnightly pay, estimated tax, Medicare, and super. It follows the same formula: hourly × hours per week × 52, assuming 38 hours unless you change the weekly hours. Remember, this is an estimate – your actual pay may vary due to overtime, 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.

For more detailed information, see our pay guides and minimum wage pages.