What Is the Salary from Your Hourly Rate? A Guide to Annual, Fortnightly, and Take-Home Pay
Based on a 38-hour week, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, equating to $1,004.90 per week or $52,254.80 per year before tax and super.
Understanding the Basics: Hourly to Annual
When you’re offered an hourly rate or a salary, the first question is often “what is the salary?” in annual terms. The standard formula is simple: multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work each week, then by 52 weeks. For full-time employees, the typical week is 38 hours, as set by the Fair Work Commission. This site’s the timesheet uses that assumption unless you change it.
For example, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour. At 38 hours per week, that gives:
- Weekly: $26.44 × 38 = $1,004.90
- Fortnightly: $1,004.90 × 2 = $2,009.80
- Annual: $1,004.90 × 52 = $52,254.80
If you’re a casual employee, you add 25% casual loading, making the rate $33.05 per hour. That changes the annual figure to $65,318.60. The calculator’s casual loading checkbox handles this for you.
The National Minimum Wage and Award Rates
The national minimum wage is the legal minimum for employees not covered by an award or agreement. But most workers are covered by an industry or occupation award, which sets higher minimum rates. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides for each award. For example, the Health Services Award and the SCHADS Award have specific rates that may be higher than the national minimum. Always check your award to know your correct base rate.
Our reference tables include the national minimum wage and average weekly earnings from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. As of May 2026, full-time adult average ordinary time earnings were $2,083.70 per week – well above the minimum. But your actual rate depends on your job, experience, and agreement.
Casual Loading: What It Means for Your Pay
Casual loading is a 25% premium paid instead of entitlements like annual leave and sick leave. It applies on top of the base hourly rate. For the national minimum wage, that’s $33.05 per hour. When you calculate annual salary, you use the loaded rate. The calculator’s checkbox adds this automatically – never enter a rate that already includes casual loading.
For more detail, see our casual loading page. Remember that super is paid on the loaded rate because it’s part of ordinary earnings.
Superannuation: Paid on Top
Super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary earnings from 1 July 2026, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. This is paid by your employer on top of your gross pay – it’s not deducted from your hourly rate. So if your annual gross is $52,254.80, your employer contributes an extra $6,270.58 to your super fund (assuming no cap issues).
Our super and packaging page explains how salary sacrifice and the contribution cap work. The calculator shows estimated super separately.
Tax and Take-Home Pay
Your take-home pay depends on tax and the Medicare levy. For 2026–27, 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. The calculator uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds as the 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed. It does not deduct HELP, the Medicare levy surcharge, or salary packaging.
For a quick estimate, use our take-home pay page. The calculator shows weekly, fortnightly, monthly, and annual figures after tax and Medicare.
Using the Calculator
On the timesheet, enter your base hourly rate (without casual loading). If you’re casual, tick the “25% casual loading” box. The calculator will show:
- Weekly pay (base or loaded)
- Fortnightly pay
- Annual gross salary
- Estimated super (12% on top)
- Estimated tax and Medicare
- Annual take-home pay
All calculations assume 38 hours per week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax. For precise figures, consult your employer, a tax professional, or the Australian Taxation Office.
Why Fortnightly Matters
Many employees are paid fortnightly. Knowing your fortnightly amount helps with budgeting. For the national minimum wage, that’s $2,009.80 before tax. The calculator shows this automatically.
Award Rates and Enterprise Agreements
If you’re covered by an award or enterprise agreement, your minimum rate may be higher. Check the Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guides or use the Pay and Conditions Tool. The calculator lets you enter any rate, so you can use your award rate.
Average Pay Comparisons
Curious how your rate compares? The ABS reports average weekly earnings. For full-time adults, it’s $2,083.70 per week (May 2026). That’s about $54.31 per hour for a 38-hour week. See our average pay page for more.
Summary
To answer “what is the salary” from an hourly rate: multiply by hours per week (usually 38) and 52 weeks. Add casual loading if applicable. Super is paid on top. Tax and Medicare reduce take-home pay. Use the calculator for a quick estimate, but always verify with official sources like the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Australian Taxation Office.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.