What Is a Mechanic Salary? Award Rates, Casual Loading, and Annual Pay
A mechanic salary under the Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award ranges from $29.45 to $32.22 per hour for tradespersons, based on 38 ordinary hours per week.
Understanding a Mechanic Salary
If you're trying to work out a mechanic salary from an hourly rate, the key is knowing which pay structure applies. Most mechanics in Australia are covered by the Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail Award 2020, which sets minimum hourly rates for different skill levels. For employees not covered by any award, the National Minimum Wage applies. This guide explains how to convert an hourly rate to annual, fortnightly, and weekly figures, and what to expect for tax and super.
Hourly to Annual: The Basic Formula
The standard calculation is:
Annual gross pay = hourly rate × hours per week × 52
We assume a full-time employee works 38 ordinary hours per week (the standard under the Vehicle Repair Award and the National Minimum Wage). For example, a Level I tradesperson mechanic on $29.45 per hour would earn:
- Weekly: $29.45 × 38 = $1,119.10
- Fortnightly: $1,119.10 × 2 = $2,238.20
- Annual: $1,119.10 × 52 = $58,193.20
This formula assumes the same rate every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, allowances, or salary sacrifice. Use the timesheet to quickly test different hourly rates.
Award Rates vs. National Minimum Wage
The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour (or $1004.90 per week for 38 hours). However, the Vehicle Repair Award sets higher minimums for mechanics. The award classifies employees into wage groups R1 to R7. A qualified mechanic is typically a tradesperson Level I (R6) at $29.45 per hour or Level II (R7) at $32.22 per hour. These rates are the minimum; many employers pay above award.
If you're a casual mechanic, the award adds a 25% loading on the base rate for ordinary hours worked Monday to Friday between 6 am and 6 pm. For example, a casual R6 mechanic would receive $29.45 × 1.25 = $36.81 per hour during those times. Higher loadings apply for other shifts. The National Minimum Wage also has a 25% casual loading, bringing it to $33.05 per hour.
What About Fortnightly Pay?
Many employers pay wages fortnightly. Under the award, wages can be paid weekly, fortnightly, or monthly by agreement. To get a fortnightly figure, simply double the weekly amount. For a full-time R7 mechanic on $32.22 per hour:
- Weekly: $32.22 × 38 = $1,224.36
- Fortnightly: $1,224.36 × 2 = $2,448.72
Check our pay guides for more on award-specific pay periods.
Tax and Super
Once you have your annual gross figure, you can estimate take-home pay using the 2026–27 resident tax rates:
- Nil tax 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% (based on 2025–26 single reduction thresholds).
Superannuation is paid on top of your base wage. The Superannuation Guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. For a mechanic earning $58,193 annually, the employer would contribute an extra $6,983.16 to super. This is not deducted from your pay; it's an additional benefit. See our super and packaging page for more.
Casual Loading and Super
Casual loading (25% under the award) is included in your ordinary earnings for super purposes. So a casual mechanic on $36.81 per hour would have super calculated on that rate. The loading itself does not attract extra super; it's simply part of the hourly wage.
Using the Calculator
Our the timesheet lets you enter your base hourly rate and optionally add the 25% casual loading. It then shows weekly, fortnightly, and annual figures, along with estimated tax and super. Remember: the results are estimates. They assume you work 38 hours 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. HELP, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted.
Reference Tables
For a full list of award classifications and rates, see our reference tables. The Fair Work Commission also publishes a Modern Awards Pay Database with calculated minimum rates, allowances, and penalties. Always check the award itself for your exact classification.
Summary
A mechanic salary under the Vehicle Repair Award starts at $29.45 per hour for a Level I tradesperson. Using the 38-hour week, that's about $58,200 per year before tax and super. Casual mechanics get an extra 25% loading. The National Minimum Wage is lower at $26.44 per hour, but award-covered employees must receive at least the award rate. Use the formula hourly × 38 × 52 to get your annual figure, and remember super is paid on top.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.