Bookkeeper salary: convert your hourly rate to annual, fortnightly and weekly pay
The median full-time bookkeeper earns $1,400 per week or $37 per hour, which equates to about $72,800 per year before tax and super.
Understanding your bookkeeper salary: from hourly to annual
If you work as a bookkeeper or are considering the role, knowing how your hourly rate translates into an annual salary is essential for budgeting, comparing job offers, and planning your finances. This guide explains the conversion using a standard 38-hour week, a 52-week year, and the latest Fair Work and tax figures.
The basic formula for annual pay
The standard way to estimate your annual gross salary is:
Hourly rate × hours per week × 52
For a full-time employee working 38 ordinary hours each week, the calculation is straightforward. If your bookkeeper salary is quoted as an hourly rate, multiply that rate by 38 and then by 52. For example, the median full-time bookkeeper earns $37 per hour according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). That gives:
$37 × 38 × 52 = $73,112 per year
This figure is before tax and before superannuation. It assumes you work the same number of hours every week with no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, and no allowances.
Why 38 hours and a 52-week year?
The Fair Work Act defines a full-time week as 38 ordinary hours for most employees. The national minimum wage is set on that basis: from 1 July 2026, the rate is $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours, or $26.44 per hour. Using 52 weeks in a year is standard because most employees are paid for 52 weeks, even if they take annual leave (which is paid separately).
Fortnightly pay: a useful midpoint
Many employers pay fortnightly. To find your fortnightly gross pay, simply double your weekly pay. For the median bookkeeper:
Weekly: $1,400 (ABS median full-time weekly earnings) Fortnightly: $2,800
If you are paid by the hour, your fortnightly pay will vary depending on the hours you work in that period. But the conversion remains: hourly rate × hours per fortnight.
National Minimum Wage vs award rates vs casual loading
It is important to distinguish between different pay structures:
- National Minimum Wage: $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. This applies to award/agreement-free adult employees.
- Award rates: Many bookkeepers are covered by the Clerks – Private Sector Award or a similar award. From 1 July 2026, award minimum wages increased by 4.75%. Award rates are generally higher than the national minimum wage.
- Casual loading: Casual employees receive an additional 25% on top of the base rate (unless their award specifies a different loading). For the national minimum wage, that means $33.05 per hour. If you are casual, your hourly rate should already include the loading; do not add it again. Our timesheet allows you to check a box to add 25% casual loading to your base rate.
Superannuation is paid on top of your gross salary. The super guarantee rate is 12% for 2026–27, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a bookkeeper earning $73,112, the employer would contribute an extra $8,773.44 per year.
Tax on your bookkeeper salary
Once you have your annual gross figure, you can estimate tax using the 2026–27 resident tax rates:
- 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 the Medicare levy of 2% (based on 2025–26 single reduction thresholds, as 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed). For a $73,112 salary, the tax would be approximately:
$0 on first $18,200 15% on $26,800 = $4,020 30% on $28,112 = $8,433.60 Total tax + Medicare ≈ $12,453.60 + $1,462.24 = $13,915.84
Your take-home pay would be around $59,196 per year, or $4,933 per month. Use our take-home pay tool for a more detailed estimate.
Bookkeeper salary benchmarks
According to the ABS, the median full-time bookkeeper earns $1,400 per week, which is $37 per hour. This is below the all-occupations median of $1,852 per week ($47 per hour). Bookkeepers are predominantly female (89%) and older (median age 52), with 60% working part-time. For part-time bookkeepers, the hourly rate is the same, but annual pay is lower because fewer hours are worked.
If you are comparing a salary offer, remember that the median is a guide. Your actual pay depends on experience, location, and whether you are covered by an award or enterprise agreement.
Using our conversion tools
Our hourly conversion page lets you enter your hourly rate and see annual, fortnightly, and weekly figures. You can also check average pay for your occupation. For award-specific rates, refer to the pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Important notes and disclaimer
The annual pay shown here is an estimate. 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 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 personalised advice, consult a qualified accountant or the Australian Taxation Office.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.