How do I convert my hourly rate to an annual salary?

Multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work each week, then multiply by 52 weeks. For a standard full-time role of 38 hours per week, the formula is: hourly rate × 38 × 52. This gives your gross annual pay before tax and super. If you work different hours, adjust the weekly hours accordingly. Remember that this assumes you work every week of the year with no unpaid leave.

What is the difference between the National Minimum Wage and award rates?

The National Minimum Wage ($26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026) is the legal minimum for employees not covered by an award or enterprise agreement. Most employees are covered by a modern award, which sets higher minimum rates for specific industries and occupations. Award rates can include penalty rates, allowances, and classification levels that exceed the National Minimum Wage. Always check your award using the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool.

How is superannuation calculated on top of my pay?

Superannuation guarantee contributions are paid by your employer on top of your ordinary earnings. From 1 July 2026, the rate is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. For example, if your annual ordinary earnings are $60,000, your employer must contribute an additional $7,200 into your super fund. Super is not deducted from your pay; it's an extra benefit.

From UK Minimum Wage to Australian Pay: How to Convert Hourly to Annual

For a full-time employee working 38 hours per week, the Australian National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, equating to $1,004.90 per week or $52,254.80 per year before tax and super.

From Hourly to Annual: The Simple Formula

Whether you're comparing a job offer in Australia or just curious how your current rate stacks up, converting an hourly wage to an annual salary is straightforward. The standard formula used by the hourly conversion tool is:

Annual gross pay = hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks

For full-time employees, we assume a 38-hour week, which is the ordinary hours defined by the Fair Work Act. This gives a consistent baseline. If you work part-time or casual, adjust the weekly hours to match your typical roster.

For example, the UK minimum wage for adults (as of 2025–26) is around £11.44 per hour, but in Australia the National Minimum Wage is set by the Fair Work Commission. From 1 July 2026, the Australian National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. That works out to $52,254.80 per year before tax and super.

The Fortnightly View

Many Australians are paid fortnightly. To find your fortnightly gross pay, simply multiply your weekly pay by two. Using the National Minimum Wage: $1,004.90 × 2 = $2,009.80 per fortnight. This can help you budget or compare with salary offers expressed per fortnight.

Understanding the National Minimum Wage and Award Rates

The minimum wage in Australia is not a single figure for everyone. There are three key categories:

National Minimum Wage: Applies to award/agreement-free employees. From 1 July 2026: $26.44/hour, $1,004.90/week.
Award minimum wages: Most employees are covered by a modern award. The Fair Work Commission increased award rates by 4.75% from 1 July 2026, with the lowest rate in any award at least $26.44/hour. Some awards have higher rates for skilled classifications.
Special minimum wages: Juniors (under 21), apprentices, trainees, and employees with disability may have different rates based on age or capacity.

If you're comparing a UK minimum wage role with an Australian job, remember that UK rates are set by the Low Pay Commission and differ by age band. In Australia, the National Minimum Wage applies to all adults (21+) with no age-based discount for juniors under 21.

Casual Loading

Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the base rate to compensate for not receiving paid leave. The casual loading is added to the hourly rate before calculating annual pay. For the National Minimum Wage:

Base casual rate: $26.44 × 1.25 = $33.05 per hour
Annual casual pay (38 hours/week): $33.05 × 38 × 52 = $65,318.80

When using the timesheet tool, you can check a box to add 25% casual loading. Never enter a rate that already includes casual loading; the tool adds it for you.

Superannuation and Tax

Super Paid on Top

Your employer must pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% of your ordinary time earnings (from 1 July 2026) into a super fund. This is paid on top of your salary, not deducted from it. The maximum earnings base for super is $270,830 per year. For more details, see super and packaging.

Example: If your annual ordinary earnings are $60,000, your employer adds $7,200 to super. Your total remuneration is $67,200, but your take-home pay is based on the $60,000.

Tax and Medicare

Income tax for 2026–27 residents uses the following brackets:

$0 – $18,200: Nil
$18,201 – $45,000: 15c for each $1 over $18,200
$45,001 – $135,000: 30c for each $1 over $45,000
$135,001 – $190,000: 37c for each $1 over $135,000
Over $190,000: 45c for each $1 over $190,000

Medicare levy is generally 2% of taxable income. The take-home pay calculator uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds because the 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed at the time of this guide.

Example: National Minimum Wage Take-Home Pay

For a full-time employee on $52,254.80 per year:

Tax: ($52,254.80 – $18,200) × 0.15 = $5,108.22
Medicare levy (2%): $1,045.10
Net annual pay: $52,254.80 – $5,108.22 – $1,045.10 = $46,101.48
Net weekly: $886.57
Net fortnightly: $1,773.14

This is an estimate. It does not include HELP repayments, Medicare levy surcharge, or salary packaging.

Using the Timesheet for Your Own Calculations

The timesheet on this site lets you enter your base hourly rate and choose whether to add casual loading. It then calculates your annual, fortnightly, and weekly gross pay, plus estimated tax and super. You can also explore pay guides for award-specific rates and reference tables for quick lookups.

Remember that the formula assumes you work the same hours every week with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. If your role includes shift penalties or overtime, those should be added separately. For a more personalised estimate, check your award or enterprise agreement using the Fair Work Ombudsman's resources.

A Note on the UK Minimum Wage

While this article focuses on Australian pay, the UK minimum wage provides an interesting comparison. The UK's National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is reviewed annually by the Low Pay Commission. As of April 2025, it was £11.44 per hour. Converting that to Australian dollars (approximately $22.00 AUD at current exchange rates) shows that Australia's National Minimum Wage of $26.44 is higher in nominal terms. However, cost of living, tax rates, and superannuation differ significantly. Always consider the full package when comparing international job offers.

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.