How do I calculate annual pay from my hourly rate?

Multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work each week, then by 52 weeks. For a standard full-time role of 38 hours, the formula is: hourly rate × 38 × 52. For example, the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour gives an annual gross of $26.44 × 38 × 52 = $52,245.44. This assumes no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or salary sacrifice.

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

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%. For the National Minimum Wage, the casual rate is $26.44 × 1.25 = $33.05 per hour. When using our timesheet, you can check a box to add 25% casual loading – do not type a rate that already includes it.

How does a salary sacrifice fuel card affect my pay and super?

A salary sacrifice fuel card lets you pay for fuel from your pre-tax salary, reducing your taxable income. However, the super guarantee (currently 12%) is calculated on your ordinary time earnings, which may be reduced after salary sacrifice. This can lower your super contributions. Our calculator does not include salary sacrifice arrangements – it assumes no salary packaging. Always check with your employer or the Australian Taxation Office for the exact impact.

Convert Hourly to Annual Pay: 38-Hour Week, Fortnight, Tax, Super & Salary Sacrifice Fuel Card

Annual gross pay is your hourly rate multiplied by hours per week (assumed 38 for full-time) times 52 weeks, before tax and super.

Understanding Your Pay: Hourly to Annual, Fortnight, Tax and Super

If you have an hourly rate or a salary offer, you likely want to know what that means over a full year, a fortnight, and after tax and super. This guide walks you through the key calculations, using the standard 38-hour full-time week and the 52-week year. We also explain how a salary sacrifice fuel card can change your numbers.

The Basic Formula: Hourly × Hours × 52

The simplest way to estimate annual gross pay is:

Annual gross = hourly rate × hours per week × 52

For a full-time employee working 38 hours each week, the formula becomes:

Annual gross = hourly rate × 38 × 52

This assumes you work the same hours every week, with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. It also ignores salary sacrifice arrangements like a fuel card. If your hours differ, adjust the weekly hours accordingly.

Fortnightly Pay: A Handy Reference

Many Australian employees are paid fortnightly. To find your gross fortnightly pay, multiply your weekly pay by 2. Using the 38-hour week:

Fortnightly gross = hourly rate × 38 × 2

For example, on the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour, your fortnightly gross is $26.44 × 38 × 2 = $2,009.44. This is before tax and super.

Minimum Wage, Award Rates and Casual Loading

It is important to distinguish between different pay rates:

National Minimum Wage: From 1 July 2026, the Fair Work Commission sets this at $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. This is the minimum for employees not covered by an award or agreement.
Award rates: Many industries have modern awards that set higher minimum pay rates. Check your specific award via the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Casual loading: Casual employees receive an extra 25% on top of the base rate. For the National Minimum Wage, the casual rate is $33.05 per hour ($26.44 × 1.25). Our timesheet has a checkbox to add 25% casual loading – never type a rate that already includes it.

Superannuation: Paid on Top

Super guarantee is currently 12% of your ordinary time earnings, paid by your employer on top of your gross pay. The maximum contribution base is $270,830 per year (2026–27). For example, on the minimum wage annual gross of $52,245.44, your employer would contribute an extra $6,269.45 in super. This is not deducted from your pay – it is an additional benefit.

Tax and Medicare Levy

Your take-home pay depends on tax and the Medicare levy. The 2026–27 resident tax rates are:

$0 – $18,200: nil
$18,201 – $45,000: 15% on excess over $18,200
$45,001 – $135,000: 30% on excess over $45,000
$135,001 – $190,000: 37% on excess over $135,000
Over $190,000: 45% on excess over $190,000

Plus a Medicare levy of 2% (based on 2025–26 single reduction thresholds, as 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed). Our calculator uses these rates but does not include HELP repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, or salary packaging.

The Role of a Salary Sacrifice Fuel Card

A salary sacrifice fuel card is an arrangement where you pay for fuel from your pre-tax salary, reducing your taxable income. This can lower the tax you pay, but it also reduces your ordinary time earnings for super guarantee purposes. Since super is calculated on ordinary earnings after salary sacrifice, your employer’s super contributions may decrease. Our calculator does not account for salary sacrifice – it assumes no packaging. If you use a fuel card, your actual take-home pay and super will differ. Always consult the Australian Taxation Office or a financial adviser.

Using Our Timesheet Calculator

Our timesheet lets you enter your base hourly rate and optionally add 25% casual loading. It then shows your annual, fortnightly, and weekly gross pay, plus estimated tax, Medicare, and super. Remember: the results are estimates. They assume a 38-hour week, 52 weeks, and no salary sacrifice or penalty rates.

Industry and State Averages

If you are comparing your pay to averages, note that the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Average Weekly Earnings (May 2026) for full-time adult ordinary time is $2,083.70 per week. For all employees (including part-time), it is $1,579.20 per week. These are averages across all industries and states, not the median for your specific job. For job-specific pay, check award rates or industry guides.

Key Takeaways

Annual gross = hourly × hours per week × 52 (assume 38 hours for full-time)
Fortnightly gross = weekly × 2
Super is 12% on top, up to $270,830
Casual loading adds 25% to the base rate
A salary sacrifice fuel card reduces taxable income but may lower super
Use our reference tables for quick conversions, or see our pay guides for more detail.

Always verify your exact pay with your employer or a qualified professional. The figures here are estimates based on the latest available data from the Fair Work Commission, Australian Bureau of Statistics, and Australian Taxation Office.