Case Worker Salary: How to Calculate Your Annual, Fortnightly and Hourly Pay

Understanding your case worker salary

Whether you are negotiating a new role or checking your current pay, knowing how to convert your hourly rate into an annual salary is essential. This guide explains the key components of a case worker salary in Australia, including award minimums, casual loading, superannuation, and tax. We rely on official sources from the Fair Work Ombudsman, Fair Work Commission, Australian Bureau of Statistics, and Australian Taxation Office.

Most case workers are employed under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (SCHADS Award). This award sets minimum pay rates that are generally higher than the National Minimum Wage. From 1 December 2026, home care disability employees under this award will receive an initial increase of up to 15% to their minimum award rates. For the most up-to-date rates, refer to the pay guides on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.

How to convert hourly to annual pay

The standard formula for converting an hourly rate to an annual salary is:

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

We assume a full-time week of 38 ordinary hours, as defined by the Fair Work Act. If you work part-time, use your actual weekly hours. For example, a case worker earning $30 per hour and working 38 hours per week would have an annual salary of:

$30 × 38 × 52 = $59,280

This figure is gross pay before tax and super. It assumes the same rate every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, allowances, or salary sacrifice.

Fortnightly pay

Many employers pay fortnightly. To estimate your fortnightly gross pay, multiply your weekly pay by two:

Fortnightly gross = (hourly rate × hours per week) × 2

Using the same example: ($30 × 38) × 2 = $2,280 per fortnight.

National Minimum Wage vs award rates

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. This is the legal minimum for award/agreement-free employees. However, case workers covered by the SCHADS Award have minimum rates above this. For instance, a Level 2 case worker may earn around $28–$30 per hour depending on experience and classification. Always check the specific award pay guide for your classification.

Casual loading

If you are a casual employee, your hourly rate includes a 25% casual loading on top of the base award rate. This compensates for not receiving paid leave. When calculating your annual salary, use the loaded rate. For example, if the base rate is $28 per hour, the casual rate is $28 × 1.25 = $35 per hour. The Fair Work Commission sets the casual loading at 25% of the minimum wage for award/agreement-free employees. For more details, see our casual loading page.

Superannuation: paid on top

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee of 12% of your ordinary time earnings. This is paid on top of your gross salary, not deducted from it. For the 2026–27 year, the maximum contribution base is $270,830. If your annual salary exceeds that, super is capped. For a case worker earning $59,280, the super contribution would be:

$59,280 × 12% = $7,113.60 per year

This is an additional benefit. Learn more about super and packaging.

Tax and Medicare levy

Your case worker salary is subject to Australian income tax and the Medicare levy. For the 2026–27 financial year, the resident tax rates are:

• $0 – $18,200: nil
• $18,201 – $45,000: 15% on excess over $18,200
• $45,001 – $135,000: 30% on excess over $45,000
• $135,001 – $190,000: 37% on excess over $135,000
• $190,001+: 45% on excess over $190,000

Additionally, the Medicare levy is generally 2% of your taxable income. For a single person earning $59,280, the estimated tax (including Medicare) would be approximately $10,400 (using the 2025–26 Medicare reduction thresholds as a guide). This is an estimate; your actual tax may vary due to deductions, offsets, or the Medicare levy surcharge. For a more precise calculation, use the take-home pay tool.

Putting it all together: an example

Let's calculate the annual, fortnightly, and after-tax figures for a full-time case worker earning $30 per hour under the SCHADS Award.

• Annual gross: $30 × 38 × 52 = $59,280
• Fortnightly gross: ($30 × 38) × 2 = $2,280
• Super (12%): $7,113.60 paid on top
• Estimated tax + Medicare: ~$10,400
• Annual net (after tax): ~$48,880
• Fortnightly net: ~$1,880

This example assumes no casual loading. If you are casual, use the loaded rate.

Where to find official rates

For the most accurate and current pay rates for your specific classification, consult:

• The pay guides on the Fair Work Ombudsman website
• The reference tables from the Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database
• The minimum wage page for the National Minimum Wage

These sources are updated after each Annual Wage Review. The Fair Work Commission's database includes classifications, allowances, and penalty rates for all modern awards.

Important disclaimer

Annual pay calculated 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.