What is the formula to convert my hourly rate to annual salary?

Multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work each week, then multiply by 52 weeks. For a standard full-time role, we assume 38 hours per week, so annual gross = hourly rate × 38 × 52. If you work different hours, adjust accordingly. This gives a base figure before tax, super, or any salary sacrifice arrangements.

How does casual loading affect my pay and annual estimate?

Casual employees typically receive a 25% loading on top of the base hourly rate to compensate for lack of paid leave. For example, the National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, so a casual worker gets $33.05 per hour including loading. When converting to annual, use the loaded rate if you are casual. Our [the timesheet](/) lets you check a box to add 25% casual loading automatically – never type a rate that already includes loading.

Can I salary sacrifice and how does it affect my take-home pay?

Yes, you can salary sacrifice (also called salary packaging) to reduce your taxable income by directing pre-tax dollars toward benefits like superannuation, a car, or childcare. This lowers your assessable income, so you pay less tax. However, our annual estimate does not include salary sacrifice – it assumes no packaging. If you salary sacrifice, your gross shown here will be higher than your taxable income. Use our [super and packaging](/topics/super-and-packaging) guide to see how it works.

Can I salary sacrifice? Hourly to annual pay explained with casual loading and super

For a full-time worker on 38 hours per week, annual gross pay equals hourly rate × 38 × 52, with super paid on top.

From hourly to annual: your complete guide

If you earn an hourly wage or have a salary offer, converting between the two helps you compare jobs and plan your budget. The basic 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, we assume a standard 38-hour week, as set by the Fair Work Commission. That gives you:

Annual gross pay ≈ hourly rate × 38 × 52

For example, if your hourly rate is $30.00, your annual gross would be $30.00 × 38 × 52 = $59,280. This is before tax, the Medicare levy, and superannuation. It also assumes you work the same hours every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances.

Why 38 hours and what about the fortnight?

The 38-hour week is the standard full-time benchmark under Australia’s workplace laws. If you work part-time or irregular hours, adjust the hours figure to your actual weekly average. To find your fortnightly pay, simply multiply your weekly gross by two. For instance, $30.00 per hour × 38 hours = $1,140 per week, so your fortnightly gross is $2,280. Many employers pay fortnightly, so this figure is handy for budgeting.

Minimum wage, award rates, and casual loading

Australia has a National Minimum Wage set by the Fair Work Commission. From 1 July 2026, it is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. Many workers are covered by awards or enterprise agreements that set higher minimum rates for their industry or role. These are not medians – they are minimums. For example, the ABS Average Weekly Earnings for full-time adult ordinary time in May 2026 was $2,083.70 per week, which is an average, not a median for any specific job.

If you are a casual employee, you are entitled to a 25% casual loading on top of your base hourly rate. This compensates for not receiving paid leave. So the casual minimum wage is $33.05 per hour ($26.44 × 1.25). When you use our the timesheet (the home page), you type your base hourly rate – never a rate that already includes casual loading. A checkbox then adds the 25% loading automatically. This ensures your annual estimate reflects your true casual pay.

Superannuation: paid on top

Superannuation is a compulsory contribution your employer must pay into your super fund. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of your ordinary earnings. Importantly, super is paid on top of your gross pay – it is not deducted from your hourly rate. So if your annual gross is $59,280, your employer pays an extra $7,113.60 into super (12% of $59,280), up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. Our estimate calculates super at 12% of ordinary earnings only and stops at that cap. Remember, super is not part of your take-home pay; it is saved for retirement.

Tax and take-home pay

Your annual gross is not what you take home. The Australian Taxation Office applies progressive tax rates for residents in 2026–27:

Nil on income up to $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 (with reductions for low-income earners). Our estimate uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds because the 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed in this estimate. We do not deduct HELP repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, or any salary packaging arrangements.

Can I salary sacrifice?

A common question is “can I salary sacrifice” to reduce tax. Yes, salary sacrifice (or salary packaging) lets you forego part of your pre-tax salary in exchange for benefits like additional super contributions, a car, or childcare. This lowers your taxable income, so you pay less income tax. However, our annual estimate does not include salary sacrifice – it assumes no packaging. If you salary sacrifice, your actual taxable income will be lower than the gross shown here. For more detail, see our super and packaging guide.

Putting it all together: an example

Let’s say you are a casual worker on a base rate of $30.00 per hour. With 25% casual loading, your effective hourly rate is $37.50. Working 38 hours per week:

Weekly gross: $37.50 × 38 = $1,425
Fortnightly gross: $1,425 × 2 = $2,850
Annual gross: $1,425 × 52 = $74,100
Super (12% on top): $8,892 (up to the cap)
Estimated tax (using 2026–27 rates plus Medicare): roughly $13,688 (this is an estimate only)
Estimated take-home: $74,100 – $13,688 = $60,412 per year, or $1,162 per week

Remember, this is an estimate. Your actual pay may differ due to unpaid leave, overtime, penalty rates, or salary sacrifice. Always check your pay slip and consult a professional for personal advice.

Need more detail?

Explore our pay guides for award-specific information, or use our reference tables for quick conversions. If you want to see how your pay compares to averages, visit average pay – but note those are averages, not medians for your job. For a deeper look at casual work, see casual loading. And if you’re considering salary packaging, our super and packaging page explains the rules.

Final thoughts

Converting hourly to annual pay is a useful skill, but always consider the full picture: your base rate, casual loading, super, tax, and any salary sacrifice arrangements. The question “can I salary sacrifice” is worth asking your employer or a tax adviser, as it can significantly affect your take-home pay. Use our tools to get a quick estimate, then verify with official sources like the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Australian Taxation Office.