Use the seek salary finder to convert your hourly rate to annual salary

Understanding the seek salary finder

If you're wondering how your hourly rate translates into an annual salary, the seek salary finder is a handy tool. But to get the most accurate picture, you need to understand the official figures from the Fair Work Commission and the Australian Taxation Office. This guide walks you through the key calculations, tax brackets, and superannuation rules that apply to most Australian employees.

The basic formula: hourly to annual

The standard conversion is simple: hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks. For full-time employees, the Fair Work Commission defines a week as 38 ordinary hours. So the formula becomes:

Annual gross pay = hourly rate × 38 × 52

This gives you your base salary before tax, Medicare levy, and superannuation. It assumes you work the same hours every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. If you work part-time or irregular hours, adjust the weekly hours accordingly.

National Minimum Wage and award rates

From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours, as set by the Fair Work Commission. This is the minimum for award/agreement-free adult employees. However, most employees are covered by an award or enterprise agreement that may set higher rates. Always check your award or agreement first. The minimum wage page has more details.

Casual loading

If you're a casual employee, you're entitled to a 25% loading on top of the base rate. For the National Minimum Wage, that's $33.05 per hour ($26.44 × 1.25). When using the seek salary finder, you can add casual loading as a separate checkbox. Never enter a rate that already includes casual loading – the tool will apply it for you. See our casual loading guide for more.

Fortnightly pay

Many employers pay fortnightly. To find your fortnightly gross pay, simply multiply your weekly pay by two. For a full-time worker on the minimum wage: $1,004.90 × 2 = $2,009.80 per fortnight. This is useful for budgeting and comparing with job ads that quote fortnightly figures.

Tax and Medicare levy

Once you have your annual gross salary, you can estimate your take-home pay. The Australian Taxation Office provides a gross pay estimator to help. For the 2026–27 income year, the resident tax rates are:

• $0 – $18,200: Nil
• $18,201 – $45,000: 15c for each $1 over $18,200
• $45,001 – $135,000: $5,092 plus 30c for each $1 over $45,000
• $135,001 – $190,000: $29,467 plus 37c for each $1 over $135,000
• $190,001+: $51,667 plus 45c for each $1 over $190,000

In addition, the Medicare levy is generally 2% of your taxable income. There are reductions for low-income earners, but the thresholds for 2026–27 were not confirmed at the time of this guide, so we use the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds. For a single person earning $52,254.80, the Medicare levy would be approximately $1,045.10.

Example: A full-time worker on the National Minimum Wage ($52,254.80 annual gross) would pay:

• Tax: $5,092 + 30% of ($52,254.80 – $45,000) = $5,092 + $2,176.44 = $7,268.44
• Medicare levy: 2% of $52,254.80 = $1,045.10
• Total deductions: $8,313.54
• Take-home pay: $43,941.26 per year (or about $845.02 per week)

Use our take-home pay calculator for a personalised estimate.

Superannuation

Super is paid on top of your salary, not deducted from it. The Super Guarantee rate is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. For the minimum wage example, your employer would contribute an extra $6,270.58 annually. This is separate from your take-home pay. Learn more about super and packaging.

Average weekly earnings

For context, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported in May 2026 that full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings were $2,083.70 (about $54.31 per hour for a 38-hour week). All employees (including part-time) averaged $1,579.20 per week. These figures help you see where your rate sits relative to the broader workforce. Check our average pay page for the latest data.

Using the seek salary finder effectively

The seek salary finder on SEEK's website lets you enter a salary or hourly rate and see your estimated take-home pay, taxes, and super. It uses the official tax rates and Medicare levy. However, remember that it's an estimate. For award-covered employees, your actual pay may include penalty rates, allowances, or overtime that the calculator doesn't account for. Always refer to your award or agreement for precise entitlements.

Important notes

• The annual figure from the formula assumes 52 weeks of the same hours. If you take unpaid leave, your actual annual income will be lower.
• The tax estimate does not include HELP repayments, Medicare levy surcharge, or salary sacrifice arrangements.
• Super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings only, and stops once your earnings exceed the maximum contribution base.

For a full breakdown of your specific situation, use our hourly conversion tool or consult a qualified tax professional.