Sydney Minimum Wage: How to Convert Hourly Pay to Annual Salary
Based on the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour and a 38-hour week, the annual gross pay is approximately $52,267.36, with super of 12% paid on top.
Understanding the Sydney Minimum Wage
The Sydney minimum wage is the National Minimum Wage that applies across Australia, including in Sydney. From 1 July 2026 the Fair Work Commission set this rate at $26.44 per hour for a permanent employee working ordinary hours. For casual employees, the rate includes a 25% casual loading, making it $33.05 per hour. These figures are the legal floor; many employees are covered by award or enterprise agreement rates that are higher. The National Minimum Wage applies to employees not covered by an award or agreement.
When you hear about the Sydney minimum wage, it refers to this national rate. It is important to know that the rate is reviewed annually by the Fair Work Commission. The figures above are current from 1 July 2026.
How to Convert Hourly Pay to Annual Salary
The standard formula to estimate annual gross pay from an hourly rate is:
Hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks
For a full-time employee, the typical week is 38 hours. If you work a different number of hours, adjust accordingly. For example, using the Sydney minimum wage:
- $26.44 × 38 hours = $1,004.72 per week (rounded)
- $1,004.72 × 52 weeks = $52,245.44 per year (the on-site reference gives $1,004.9/week, so $52,254.8 annually; small rounding differences occur)
For a fortnightly figure, multiply the weekly amount by 2: $1,004.72 × 2 = $2,009.44 per fortnight.
This calculation assumes you work the same hours every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. It is a simple estimate. For casual employees, the hourly rate already includes the 25% loading, so you would use $33.05 in the formula.
Using the Timesheet Calculator
Our the timesheet tool lets you enter your base hourly rate and optionally add the 25% casual loading. It then shows your weekly, fortnightly, monthly, and annual figures, along with estimated tax and super. Never enter a rate that already includes casual loading; use the checkbox instead.
Award Rates vs Minimum Wage
Many industries have award rates that are higher than the National Minimum Wage. For example, the Hospitality Industry General Award or the Clerks Private Sector Award set minimum pay rates for specific roles. These awards are determined by the Fair Work Ombudsman and Fair Work Commission. If you are covered by an award, your minimum pay is the award rate, not the national minimum. Always check your award or enterprise agreement.
Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the base award or minimum rate. This compensates for not receiving paid leave. For more detail, see our guide on casual loading.
Tax and Superannuation
Once you have your annual gross figure, you can estimate your take-home pay using the 2026–27 resident tax rates from the Australian Taxation Office:
- Nil tax on the first $18,200
- 15% on income between $18,201 and $45,000
- 30% on income between $45,001 and $135,000
- 37% on income between $135,001 and $190,000
- 45% on income above $190,000
Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (based on 2025–26 single reduction thresholds, as 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed). For a full-time worker on the Sydney minimum wage ($52,245), the tax would be approximately:
- $0 on first $18,200
- 15% on $26,800 ($18,201 to $45,000) = $4,020
- 30% on $7,245 ($45,001 to $52,245) = $2,173.50
- Total tax: $6,193.50
- Medicare levy: 2% of $52,245 = $1,044.90
- Net tax: $7,238.40
- Take-home pay: about $45,006 per year, or $865 per week.
Superannuation is paid on top of your ordinary earnings. From 1 July 2026 the super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. For the Sydney minimum wage earner, super would be an additional $6,269.40 per year (12% of $52,245). This is not deducted from your pay; your employer pays it into a super fund. Learn more about super and packaging.
Average Earnings Context
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes Average Weekly Earnings (AWE). For May 2026, full-time adult ordinary time earnings were $2,083.70 per week. This is an average across all full-time employees, not a median for any specific job. All employees total earnings (including part-time) averaged $1,579.20 per week. These figures are higher than the Sydney minimum wage because they include higher-paid roles. For more context, see our average pay page.
Using the Timesheet for Your Own Rate
Whether you are on the Sydney minimum wage or a higher award rate, our the timesheet calculator helps you see the full picture. Enter your base hourly rate, select casual loading if applicable, and instantly see weekly, fortnightly, monthly, and annual figures with estimated tax and super. It is a quick way to compare a salary offer or plan your budget.
Important Disclaimer
The annual pay shown is an estimate based on 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 uses 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.
For more detailed pay guidance, refer to pay guides or reference tables on this site.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.