How do I convert my hourly rate to annual salary?

Multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work each week, then by 52. For a full-time employee working 38 hours per week, the formula is: hourly rate × 38 × 52. This gives your annual gross pay before tax and super. If you work different hours, adjust the weekly figure. For example, at the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour, annual pay is $26.44 × 38 × 52 = $52,245.44. Super is paid on top at 12% of ordinary earnings.

How is super calculated on casual loading?

Super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary earnings, which includes the casual loading. For example, if your casual rate is $33.05 per hour, super is $3.966 per hour, paid on top by your employer. The super contribution is capped at the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. This means if your ordinary earnings exceed that amount, super is only paid on the first $270,830.

From Hourly Rate to Annual Salary: Casual Loading, Super, and Your Salary Packaging Contact Number

Q: What is casual loading and how does it affect my pay?

Casual loading is an additional 25% paid on top of the base hourly rate to compensate for lack of paid leave and other entitlements. For the National Minimum Wage, the base rate is $26.44 per hour, so the casual rate is $33.05 per hour. Super is calculated on the casual rate (ordinary earnings). If you are a casual employee, your annual pay is higher, but you do not receive sick leave or annual leave.

Annual gross pay is your hourly rate multiplied by hours per week (typically 38) times 52, with super paid on top.

From Hourly Rate to Annual Salary

Understanding how your hourly rate translates into an annual salary is essential whether you are negotiating a pay rise, comparing job offers, or planning your budget. The basic formula is straightforward: multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work each week, then by 52 weeks in a year. For most full-time employees, the standard week is 38 hours, as set by the Fair Work Commission. So the calculation becomes:

Annual gross pay = hourly rate × 38 × 52

If you work part-time or irregular hours, simply replace 38 with your actual weekly hours. This gives you a gross annual figure before tax, Medicare, and super. For a quick estimate, you can use the timesheet, where you enter your base hourly rate and, if applicable, check the box for 25% casual loading. The tool then shows your annual, fortnightly, and weekly pay, along with estimated tax and super.

Why 38 hours?

The 38-hour week is the standard full-time hours under the National Employment Standards. Many awards and agreements use this as the base. If your contract specifies different hours, use those instead. Remember, this calculation assumes you work the same hours every week, with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. It is a starting point for comparison.

Fortnightly pay

Many employers pay fortnightly. To find your fortnightly gross pay, simply double your weekly pay. For example, at the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour for 38 hours, weekly pay is $1,004.90, so fortnightly is $2,009.80. This can help you match your budget to your pay cycle.

Casual Loading and Super

If you are a casual employee, you are entitled to a 25% loading on top of your base hourly rate. This compensates for not receiving paid sick leave, annual leave, or public holidays. The loading applies to the minimum wage and award rates. For the National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026, the base rate is $26.44 per hour, so the casual rate is $33.05 per hour.

Super guarantee is paid on top of your ordinary earnings at 12% (from 1 July 2026). Ordinary earnings include the casual loading. So if your casual rate is $33.05 per hour, your employer must also contribute an additional $3.966 per hour to your super fund, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. This means the total cost to your employer is higher than your hourly rate, but your take-home pay is only the rate you receive.

For more details on how super interacts with your pay, see super and packaging.

Award Rates and the National Minimum Wage

It is important to distinguish between the National Minimum Wage and award rates. The National Minimum Wage applies to employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. From 1 July 2026, it is $26.44 per hour (or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours). Casual employees covered by the National Minimum Wage receive $33.05 per hour.

Award rates are set by the Fair Work Commission for specific industries and occupations. They are often higher than the National Minimum Wage. You should check the relevant award for your job. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides that list minimum rates for each award. If your award rate is higher, that is your minimum entitlement.

Average earnings vs. your job

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes Average Weekly Earnings. For May 2026, full-time adult ordinary time earnings were $2,083.70 per week. All employees total earnings (including part-time) averaged $1,579.20 per week. These are averages across all industries and states, not medians for a specific job. Your actual pay may differ. For job-specific data, see job pay.

Tax and Take-Home Pay

Once you have your annual gross pay, you can estimate your tax using the 2026–27 resident tax rates:

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% (based on 2025–26 single reduction thresholds as 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed). This estimate does not include the Medicare levy surcharge, HELP repayments, or salary packaging. For a more detailed take-home pay calculation, visit take-home pay.

Salary packaging and your contact number

Salary packaging (also called salary sacrifice) allows you to pay for certain items like a car or super contributions from your pre-tax income, reducing your taxable income. If you are considering salary packaging, you will need your employer's salary packaging contact number to discuss options and set up an agreement. This number is usually found in your employment contract, HR portal, or employee benefits booklet. It is important to contact the right team to understand how packaging affects your pay and tax.

Using the Timesheet

The the timesheet is designed for you to enter your base hourly rate. If you are a casual employee, check the box for 25% casual loading. Do not enter a rate that already includes casual loading; the tool adds it automatically. The timesheet then calculates your annual, fortnightly, and weekly gross pay, plus estimated super and tax. It uses the assumptions described here: 38-hour week, 52 weeks, no overtime or allowances, and the 2026–27 tax rates.

For reference tables on minimum wages, award rates, and super, see reference tables.

Summary

Converting your hourly rate to an annual salary is simple: hourly × hours per week × 52. Remember to include casual loading if applicable, and note that super is paid on top. Use the National Minimum Wage or your award rate as a baseline. For personalised estimates, use the timesheet and always check your pay against the relevant award or agreement. If you need to explore salary packaging, locate your employer's salary packaging contact number to get started.