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 weeks. For a standard full-time role, assume 38 hours per week. For example, $30/hour × 38 × 52 = $59,280 per year. This is the gross annual pay before tax and super. Use the [hourly conversion](/topics/hourly-conversion) tool for quick calculations.

What is the casual loading and how does it affect my FIFO salary?

Casual loading is an extra 25% paid on top of the base hourly rate to compensate for lack of paid leave. The Fair Work Commission sets the casual loading at 25% of the national minimum wage. For award-free employees, the casual rate is $33.05/hour (from 1 July 2026). If you are offered a FIFO salary that includes casual loading, the base rate is the amount before the 25% is added. Use the [casual loading](/topics/casual-loading) page to check your correct rate.

How is superannuation calculated for FIFO workers?

Superannuation is paid on top of your ordinary earnings at 12% (from 1 July 2026). It is not deducted from your salary. For a FIFO salary of $79,040, the super contribution would be $9,484.80 per year, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. Super is not part of your take-home pay. See the [super and packaging](/topics/super-and-packaging) guide for more details.

How to Convert Your Hourly Rate to an Annual FIFO Salary

Annual gross pay is hourly rate × 38 hours × 52 weeks; for a $40/hour FIFO role that equals $79,040 before tax and super.

Understanding the hourly-to-annual conversion

When you're comparing job offers, especially for a FIFO salary or any other role, the most reliable method is the simple formula: hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks. This gives you your gross annual pay. For a standard full-time position, the Fair Work Commission uses 38 ordinary hours per week as the benchmark. If you're on a FIFO roster, your actual hours per swing may differ, but for conversion purposes we assume 38 hours per week unless your contract specifies otherwise.

For example, a $40 per hour FIFO salary at 38 hours per week gives an annual figure of $79,040. That's before tax, Medicare, and super. To find your fortnightly pay, multiply your weekly gross by two. For $79,040 annual, weekly is $1,520, so fortnightly is $3,040.

The National Minimum Wage and award rates

The Fair Work Commission sets the National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 at $26.44 per hour for a 38-hour week, or $1,004.9 per week. This is the base for award-free employees. If you're casual, you get 25% loading on top, making the casual rate $33.05 per hour. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides for each award rates, which include minimum rates for full-time, part-time, and casual employees. The Fair Work Ombudsman also has a Pay and Conditions Tool for historical rates up to 7 years old.

Award rates may be higher than the National Minimum Wage. For FIFO roles, your award may specify different penalty rates or allowances. The Fair Work Ombudsman pay guides have the minimum pay rates for full-time, part-time, and casual employees in an award, including monetary allowances and penalty rates.

FIFO salary: comparing offers

When you're evaluating a FIFO salary, you might use a FIFO job offer pay comparison calculator to compare two offers side by side. These calculators estimate take-home pay per swing, fortnight, and year, including night loading and allowances. However, they are estimates only. The official source for minimum rates is the Fair Work Ombudsman and Fair Work Commission. If a recruiter survey conflicts with these, trust the government sources.

A FIFO salary often includes allowances for camp, flights, and R&R travel. Our simple conversion does not model those. You need to add them on top. The base hourly rate is the foundation.

Tax and Medicare on your annual figure

Once you have your annual FIFO salary, you need to estimate tax and Medicare. The Australian Taxation Office sets resident tax rates for 2026-27: nil to $18,200, 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, 45% above $190,000. Medicare levy is generally 2% of your taxable income. The Medicare levy surcharge applies if you don't have appropriate private hospital cover. Our calculator uses the 2025-26 single reduction thresholds because the 2026-27 reduction thresholds were not confirmed.

For a $79,040 FIFO salary, tax on $79,040 is $18,200 tax-free, then $26,800 at 15% = $3,000, then $34,040 at 30% = $10,200, total $18,200 + $3,000 + $10,200 = $18,400. Medicare $79,040 × 2% = $1,580. Total tax + Medicare = $19,980. Take-home pay = $79,040 - $19,980 = $59,060. This is an estimate.

Superannuation paid on top

Super guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings, paid on top of your salary. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12%, with a maximum contribution base of $270,830. For $79,040, super is $9,484.80 per year. Super is not part of your take-home pay. If your FIFO salary is quoted as a package including super, divide by 1.12 to get the cash salary.

Putting it all together example

Let's convert $40 per hour FIFO salary at 38 hours per week. Annual gross = $40 × 38 × 52 = $79,040. Fortnightly gross = $3,040. Tax and Medicare as above. Super on top = $9,484.80. This is an estimate. Use the the timesheet to calculate your own numbers.

Remember the disclaimer: Annual pay here is hourly rate × hours per week × 52. It assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, allowances, salary sacrifice. Super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings only, paid on top, stops at $270,830. Tax is the 2026-27 resident scale with full tax-free threshold. Medicare uses 2025-26 single reduction thresholds because 2026-27 reduction thresholds were not confirmed here. HELP, Medicare levy surcharge, salary packaging not deducted. This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax.

For more detailed pay rates, see the pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman.