How do I convert my hourly rate to annual salary in Australia?

Multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work per week (typically 38 for full-time) and then by 52 weeks. For example, $30/hour × 38 hours × 52 weeks = $59,280 per year. This is gross pay before tax and other deductions.

What is salary packaging and how does it affect my pay?

Salary packaging (or salary sacrifice) lets you use pre-tax income to pay for certain benefits like a car or super contributions, reducing your taxable income. This can lower your tax but may affect your super guarantee base and other entitlements. It is not included in the simple hourly-to-annual estimate.

How is superannuation calculated on my annual pay?

Your employer must pay super guarantee of 12% of your ordinary earnings, on top of your salary. For example, if your annual gross is $80,000, your super is $9,600 paid into your fund. Super is not deducted from your pay; it's an extra contribution. The maximum contribution base is $270,830 per year.

What Is Salary Packaging? How to Convert Your Hourly Rate to Annual Pay in Australia

For a 38-hour week, multiply your hourly rate by 38 then by 52 to get your annual gross pay.

Converting Your Hourly Rate to Annual Pay

If you're paid by the hour or considering a salary offer, understanding the full picture of your annual earnings is essential. In Australia, the standard full-time week is 38 hours, and the typical year is 52 weeks. The basic formula is: annual gross pay = hourly rate × hours per week × 52. For example, at the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026), a 38-hour week gives $1,004.90 per week and $52,254.80 per year.

But your actual take-home pay depends on tax, the Medicare levy, and superannuation. And if you're wondering what is salary packaging, it's an arrangement where you sacrifice part of your pre-tax salary for benefits like a car or laptop, which can reduce your taxable income. This article explains the conversion process and the key numbers you need.

The 38-Hour Week and the Fortnight

Most full-time awards and agreements in Australia are based on a 38-hour week. When you convert hourly to annual, we assume 38 hours unless your role specifies otherwise. For a fortnightly pay cycle, simply double your weekly pay: weekly × 2. So if your hourly rate is $30, your weekly gross is $1,140 and your fortnightly gross is $2,280.

Distinguishing Minimum Wage, Awards, and Casual Loading

The National Minimum Wage is set by the Fair Work Commission. As of 1 July 2026, it is $26.44 per hour for permanent employees. However, many industries have award rates that are higher. If you work casually, you are entitled to a 25% casual loading on top of the base rate. For the minimum wage, that gives $33.05 per hour. Note: the casual loading is added to the base rate, not included in the rate you type into a calculator. Always check your award or agreement.

Tax and Medicare in 2026–27

The Australian Taxation Office's resident tax rates for 2026–27 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 over $190,000

Plus, the Medicare levy is generally 2% of taxable income. For 2026–27, the single reduction thresholds are based on 2025–26 figures (not yet confirmed for 2026–27, so we use the known thresholds). This estimate does not include the Medicare levy surcharge or HELP repayments.

Superannuation Guarantee

Your employer must pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% of your ordinary earnings, on top of your salary. The maximum contribution base is $270,830 per year. So if your annual gross is $80,000, your super is $9,600 (12% of $80,000) paid into your fund. Super is not deducted from your pay; it's an extra cost to your employer. For more details, see our page on super and packaging.

What Is Salary Packaging?

Salary packaging (also called salary sacrifice) allows you to exchange part of your pre-tax salary for benefits such as a car, laptop, or additional super contributions. This reduces your taxable income, potentially lowering your tax. However, it can affect your super guarantee base and other entitlements. It's important to understand the rules from the Australian Taxation Office and your employer's policy. Salary packaging is not included in the simple hourly-to-annual estimate on this site.

Using the Timesheet Calculator

Our the timesheet tool lets you enter your base hourly rate and optionally add 25% casual loading. It then calculates your weekly, fortnightly, and annual gross pay, plus estimated tax, Medicare, and super. Remember: the annual figure assumes 38 hours per week for 52 weeks, with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. It's a starting point for your budget.

Average Earnings for Context

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics' Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026, full-time adult ordinary time earnings were $2,083.70 per week. That's about $108,352 per year for a 38-hour week. All employees total earnings (including part-time) averaged $1,579.20 per week. These are averages, not medians for any specific job. 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.