From Jalen Brunson salary to the National Minimum Wage: How to convert hourly rates to annual pay in Australia
Using the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour for a 38-hour week, annual gross pay is $52,254.80 before tax and super.
From Jalen Brunson salary to your own pay: Understanding annual conversions
Whether you're comparing Jalen Brunson's salary with a friend or trying to make sense of a job offer, converting an hourly rate to an annual figure is a fundamental skill. In Australia, the standard full-time week is 38 hours, and most pay calculations start there. This guide walks you through the formula, the key pay rates set by the Fair Work Commission and Fair Work Ombudsman, and what you can expect for tax and super.
How annual pay is calculated
The basic formula is simple: hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks. This gives your gross annual salary before tax and super. For a full-time employee, we assume 38 hours per week unless your award or agreement specifies otherwise. If you work part-time or casual, use your actual weekly hours.
For example, at the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour, the annual calculation is:
$26.44 × 38 × 52 = $52,254.80 per year.
To find your fortnightly pay, multiply your weekly pay by 2. Weekly pay at the National Minimum Wage is $1,004.90, so fortnightly pay is $2,009.80 before tax.
Important assumptions
This calculation assumes you work the same number of hours every week, with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, allowances, or salary sacrifice. It is an estimate, not a guarantee of your actual pay.
National Minimum Wage vs award rates
Australia has two main types of minimum pay rates:
- National Minimum Wage: $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. This applies to employees who are not covered by an award or agreement. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making their minimum rate $33.05 per hour.
- Award rates: Most employees are covered by a modern award that sets higher minimum pay rates for their industry or role. From 1 July 2026, award minimum wages increased by 4.75%. Awards also include penalty rates, allowances, and classification structures.
When using our the timesheet, you can enter your base hourly rate. If you are a casual employee, check the box to add 25% casual loading on top of that base rate. Do not enter a rate that already includes casual loading.
Casual loading explained
Casual employees do not receive paid leave (annual leave, sick leave) and instead get a loading of 25% on top of the minimum rate. For the National Minimum Wage, the casual rate is $26.44 × 1.25 = $33.05 per hour. This loading is applied to the base rate, not to penalty rates or allowances.
Superannuation: paid on top
Superannuation is an additional payment your employer makes to your super fund. The super guarantee rate is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. Super is not deducted from your pay; it is paid on top.
For an employee earning the National Minimum Wage of $52,254.80 per year, the employer contributes an extra $6,270.58 to super. If you earn above the maximum contribution base, super only applies to the first $270,830.
Tax and take-home pay
Your take-home pay depends on your total taxable income and the tax rates for the 2026–27 financial year. The resident tax rates are:
- Nil 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, a Medicare levy of 2% generally applies. The thresholds for the Medicare levy reduction are based on 2025–26 figures as the 2026–27 reduction thresholds were not confirmed.
For a full-time worker on the National Minimum Wage ($52,254.80), estimated tax (including Medicare) would be approximately $6,267, leaving a take-home pay of about $45,988 per year. Use our take-home pay page for a more detailed estimate.
Using the timesheet and pay guides
Our the timesheet
allows you to quickly convert any hourly rate to annual, fortnightly, and weekly figures. Select your employment type (full-time, part-time, casual) and enter your base hourly rate. The tool automatically applies the 38-hour week assumption for full-time work.
For award-specific rates, refer to the pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman. These guides list minimum pay rates for full-time, part-time, and casual employees, including allowances and penalty rates. If you are covered by an enterprise agreement, those rates may override the award.
A note on the Jalen Brunson salary comparison
While Jalen Brunson's salary is a high-profile example of annual earnings in the NBA, our focus is on Australian wages set by the Fair Work Commission and Fair Work Ombudsman. The same formula applies: hourly rate × hours per week × 52. For most Australian workers, the relevant rate comes from their award or the National Minimum Wage.
Summary
- Annual gross pay = hourly rate × weekly hours × 52.
- Assume 38 hours per week for full-time unless otherwise.
- National Minimum Wage: $26.44/hr, $33.05/hr casual.
- Award rates are higher and vary by industry.
- Super is 12% on top of ordinary earnings.
- Tax is progressive with Medicare levy.
For more details, see our reference tables or average pay page.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.