What is the HEW 7 salary range for 2026-27?

The HEW 7 classification under the Higher Education Industry – General Staff Award has minimum rates set by the Fair Work Commission. From 1 July 2026, award wages increased by 4.75%, so the minimum hourly rate for a HEW 7 employee is higher than the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour. Check the specific award pay guide for the exact classification level.

Does casual loading apply to a HEW 7 salary?

Yes, if you are employed as a casual under the award, you receive a 25% loading on top of the base hourly rate. For example, if the base HEW 7 rate is $35.00 per hour, the casual rate would be $43.75 per hour. The loading compensates for leave entitlements.

How is tax calculated on a HEW 7 salary?

Tax is calculated using the 2026-27 resident tax rates: nil up to $18,200, then 15% from $18,201 to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above that. A 2% Medicare levy generally applies. The calculator on this site uses these rates but does not include HELP or surcharges.

How to Calculate Your HEW 7 Salary: Hourly to Annual Conversion

For a HEW 7 role, assuming a 38-hour week, the annual salary is hourly rate × 38 × 52.

Understanding the HEW 7 Salary Conversion

If you are offered an hourly rate for a HEW 7 role (Higher Education Worker Level 7) or you want to compare a salary offer, converting that hourly figure to an annual amount is straightforward. The standard formula used across Australian workplaces is:

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

This article assumes a full-time week of 38 ordinary hours, which is the benchmark for the National Minimum Wage and most modern awards. For a HEW 7 role, the actual hours may be specified in your contract, but 38 hours is the default for full-time employees under the Fair Work Act.

The National Minimum Wage and Award Rates

From 1 July 2026, the Fair Work Commission set the National Minimum Wage at $26.44 per hour for a 38 hours, or $1,004.90 per week. This is the floor for employees not covered by an award or enterprise agreement. Most HEW 7 employees are covered by the Higher Education Industry – General Staff Award, which has its own minimum rates higher than the National Minimum Wage. The Fair Work Ombudsman confirms that from 1 July 2026 award wages increased by 4.75%.

For a HEW 7 salary, you need to check the specific classification in the award pay guide. The base hourly rate will be above the National Minimum Wage. For example, if the HEW 7.1 rate is $35.00 per hour, the annual gross would be:

$35.00 × 38 × 52 = $69,160 per year

Casual Loading and Superannuation

If you are employed as a casual, you receive a 25% loading on top of the base hourly rate. This is the same loading that applies to the National Minimum Wage. So for a HEW 7 casual:

Base rate $35.00 + 25% = $43.75 per hour

Annual gross (casual) = $43.75 × 38 × 52 = $86,450

Superannuation is paid on top of your ordinary earnings at 12% (the super guarantee rate for 2026-27). It is not deducted from your pay. For the above example, the employer would contribute an additional $10,374 per year (up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830).

Tax on Your HEW 7 Salary

Using the 2026-27 resident tax rates (nil to $18,200; 15% to $45,000; 30% to $135,000; 37% to $190,000; 45% above) plus the 2% Medicare levy, you can estimate your take-home pay. For a $69,160 annual salary:

Tax on $69,160: $5,092 (first $18,200 nil, then 15% on $26,800 = $4,020, then 30% on $24,160 = $7,248, total $11,268? Wait recalc: $18,200 nil, $45,000 - $18,200 = $26,800 at 15% = $4,020; $69,160 - $45,000 = $24,160 at 30% = $7,248; total tax = $11,268. Medicare 2% = $1,383. Total deductions $12,651. Take-home ≈ $56,509 per year, or about $1,086 per week.

This is an estimate. The calculator on this site uses the same rates but does not include HELP, Medicare levy surcharge, or salary packaging.

Fortnightly and Weekly Breakdown

Knowing your fortnightly pay can help with budgeting. Multiply your weekly gross by 2. For the HEW 7 example:

Weekly gross: $35.00 × 38 = $1,330
Fortnightly gross: $2,660
Fortnightly after tax (approx): $2,173

Using the Timesheet and Other Tools

To quickly convert your own hourly rate, use the timesheet. It lets you enter your base hourly rate and optionally add the 25% casual loading. The results show annual, weekly, and fortnightly figures, plus estimated tax and super.

For more details on pay guides and award rates, see pay guides. If you want to compare your HEW 7 salary to the National Minimum Wage, check minimum wage.

Important Assumptions

This conversion assumes you work the same number of hours every week, with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, allowances, or salary sacrifice. Super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings, 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. This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax.

Summary

A HEW 7 salary can be easily converted from hourly to annual using the formula hourly × 38 × 52. Always check the specific award rate for your classification, as it will be higher than the National Minimum Wage. Remember that casual loading and super are additional benefits paid on top of your base pay.