How do I calculate my annual salary from my hourly rate?

Multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work each week, then by 52 weeks. If you work a standard 38-hour week, use that number. For example, $30/hour × 38 hours × 52 weeks = $59,280 per year. This assumes no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or salary sacrifice.

What is the difference between the National Minimum Wage and an award rate?

The National Minimum Wage is the legal minimum for all employees not covered by an award or agreement. Award rates are set by the Fair Work Commission for specific industries and occupations and are often higher. Both can include casual loading (25% for minimum wage). Always check your award for the correct rate.

How does superannuation salary sacrifice affect my take-home pay?

Superannuation salary sacrifice lets you contribute pre-tax dollars from your pay into super, reducing your taxable income. This lowers your take-home pay but boosts your super balance. The super guarantee (12% on ordinary earnings) is paid on top by your employer and is separate from salary sacrifice.

How to Convert Hourly to Annual Pay: Superannuation Salary Sacrifice and the 38-Hour Week

For a 38-hour week, annual gross pay is hourly rate × 38 × 52; for example, the National Minimum Wage of $26.44/hour gives $52,249.44 per year before tax and super.

How annual pay is calculated

To convert an hourly rate to an annual figure, use the formula: hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks. This assumes you work the same number of hours every week, with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, allowances, or salary sacrifice. For a standard full-time role, we assume 38 hours per week, as defined by the Fair Work Ombudsman. For example, the National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, giving an annual gross of $26.44 × 38 × 52 = $52,249.44.

If you are a casual employee, your rate typically includes a 25% loading. The casual minimum wage is $33.05 per hour (including loading). Never enter a rate that already includes casual loading into a calculator; instead, use your base rate and add the loading separately via a checkbox.

Fortnightly pay and budgeting

Many Australians are paid fortnightly. To find your fortnightly gross pay, multiply your weekly pay by two. Using the National Minimum Wage example: weekly pay = $26.44 × 38 = $1,004.72; fortnightly = $1,004.72 × 2 = $2,009.44. This helps with budgeting for bills and rent. Remember that tax and super are calculated on your gross pay, so your bank deposit will be lower after deductions.

Tax and super explained

Your annual gross pay is subject to income tax and the Medicare levy. 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

Medicare levy is generally 2% of taxable income, with reductions for low-income earners (using 2025–26 single thresholds as 2026–27 thresholds are not confirmed here).

Superannuation Guarantee (SG) is 12% of your ordinary earnings, paid on top of your salary by your employer. It stops once your earnings reach the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. For example, on a $52,249.44 salary, your employer adds $6,269.93 to your super fund annually. This is separate from any salary sacrifice you choose.

Casual loading and award rates

The National Minimum Wage applies to employees not covered by an award or agreement. However, many workers are covered by industry or occupation awards that set higher minimum rates. For example, the minimum wage page shows the current rates. Award rates may also include penalty rates for weekends or overtime. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the base rate to compensate for lack of leave entitlements. Always check your award via the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Superannuation salary sacrifice considerations

Superannuation salary sacrifice is an arrangement where you ask your employer to contribute some of your pre-tax salary into your super fund, reducing your taxable income. This can lower the tax you pay (since super contributions are taxed at 15% up to the concessional cap) but also reduces your take-home pay. It is not deducted in our annual pay estimate because it varies by individual. For more details, see our super and packaging guide.

When using our the timesheet, you enter your base hourly rate. The calculator shows annual gross, tax, Medicare, super (estimated at 12% on ordinary earnings), and approximate take-home pay. It does not account for salary sacrifice, HELP repayments, or the Medicare levy surcharge. For a more detailed breakdown, refer to reference tables or pay guides.

Average earnings and comparisons

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Average Weekly Earnings (May 2026) show full-time adult ordinary time earnings of $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year. All employees (including part-time) average $1,579.20 per week, or $82,118 per year. These are averages across all industries and states, not medians for specific jobs. For job-specific pay, see our job pay page.

Important disclaimer

Annual pay here is hourly rate × hours per week × 52. It assumes the same rate 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 is the 2026–27 resident scale with the full tax-free threshold. Medicare uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds because the 2026–27 reduction thresholds were not confirmed here. HELP, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted. This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax.