Does the base salary include superannuation?

No. In Australia, the base salary (or ordinary earnings) is the amount before super. The Super Guarantee of 12% is paid on top of your ordinary earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. When you see a salary advertised, it usually does not include super unless stated.

What is the difference between the National Minimum Wage and an award rate?

The National Minimum Wage ($26.44/hour from 1 July 2026) is the legal floor for award/agreement-free employees. Most employees are covered by an industry or occupation award, which sets higher minimum rates for each classification. Award rates also include penalty rates, allowances, and overtime. Always check your award first.

How do I calculate my fortnightly pay from an hourly rate?

Multiply your hourly rate by hours per week (usually 38) and then by 2. For example, at $30/hour: $30 × 38 × 2 = $2,280 per fortnight before tax. This assumes the same hours each week. Use the [take-home pay](/topics/take-home) tool to estimate net pay after tax and Medicare.

How to Calculate Your Base Salary in Australia: Hourly to Annual Guide

For a full-time employee on the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour, the annual base salary is $52,254.80 (38 hours × 52 weeks), with super of 12% paid on top.

Understanding Your Base Salary in Australia

When you’re offered an hourly rate or a salary, the first step is to work out your base salary in Australia – the gross annual amount before tax and super. The standard formula is:

Hourly rate × hours per week × 52

For full-time employees, the typical week is 38 ordinary hours, as defined by the Fair Work Commission. If you work part-time or irregular hours, adjust the weekly hours accordingly. This calculation assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, and no penalty rates or allowances.

National Minimum Wage vs 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 legal minimum for employees not covered by an award or agreement. However, most workers fall under a specific award that sets higher minimum rates for their classification. For example, the Health Services Award and the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award have their own pay scales.

To find your correct minimum rate, use the pay guides or the reference tables on this site. Always check your award first – the National Minimum Wage is only a floor.

Casual Loading

Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the base rate to compensate for not receiving paid leave (sick leave, annual leave). For the National Minimum Wage, that’s $33.05 per hour ($26.44 × 1.25). When calculating your base salary as a casual, you should enter your base hourly rate (without loading) into the timesheet and tick the casual loading checkbox. The tool will add the 25% automatically. Never type a rate that already includes casual loading.

Superannuation: Paid on Top

Your employer must pay Super Guarantee contributions of 12% of your ordinary earnings (from 1 July 2026) into a super fund. This is paid on top of your base salary – it is not deducted from your pay. The maximum contribution base is $270,830 per year. For example, if your annual base salary is $60,000, your employer contributes an extra $7,200 to super. Use the super and packaging page to see how this affects your total remuneration.

Tax and Medicare

Your base salary is taxed using the 2026–27 resident tax rates:

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

Plus a Medicare levy of 2% (using 2025–26 single reduction thresholds as 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed). The take-home pay calculator estimates your net pay after these deductions.

Fortnightly Pay

Many employers pay fortnightly. To convert your hourly rate to fortnightly gross pay:

Hourly rate × 38 hours × 2 = fortnightly base

For example, at $30/hour: $30 × 38 × 2 = $2,280 per fortnight. This is before tax and super. If you are casual, add the 25% loading to the hourly rate first.

Example: Full-Time on National Minimum Wage

Hourly rate: $26.44
Weekly: $26.44 × 38 = $1,004.90
Annual base salary: $1,004.90 × 52 = $52,254.80
Super (12% on top): $6,270.58
Total remuneration: $58,525.38

This is the minimum for an adult employee not covered by an award. Most award rates are higher.

Award Rates and Average Earnings

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week in May 2026. That’s about $108,352 per year – well above the minimum. All employees (including part-time) averaged $1,579.20 per week. Your base salary will depend on your industry, classification, and experience.

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.

Next Steps

Use the timesheet to convert your hourly rate to annual, fortnightly, and weekly figures.
Check your award’s minimum rates on the pay guides page.
Estimate your take-home pay with the take-home pay tool.

Understanding your base salary in Australia is the foundation for budgeting, negotiating, and planning your finances. Always compare offers using the same assumptions – 38-hour week, super on top, and the correct tax year.