How do I use a yearly salary calculator to check if I'm paid correctly?

Enter your annual salary into a yearly salary calculator to see your weekly and hourly equivalents. Compare these to the national minimum wage ($26.44/h or $1,004.90/week for adults from 1 July 2026) or to the relevant modern award rate if one covers your job. Remember that junior, apprentice, and supported wage rates can be lower. Also factor in the 12% super guarantee your employer must pay on top of your ordinary time earnings.

Does the yearly salary calculator include super?

Most yearly salary calculators show gross pay before tax and before super. Super is an additional payment your employer must make into your super fund, currently 12% of your ordinary time earnings. When comparing your salary to the minimum wage, note that the legal minimum is the base rate before super. Your total employment cost to the employer is your base pay plus super.

What if my salary is below the national minimum wage?

If you are an adult award-free employee and your annual salary works out to less than $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week (from 1 July 2026), you may be underpaid. However, check if a modern award or enterprise agreement applies – those can set higher rates. Also, junior employees (under 21), apprentices, and trainees have lower minimum rates. If you believe you are underpaid, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman for advice.

Yearly Salary Calculator: Compare Your Annual Pay to Australia's Minimum Wage

The national minimum wage for adult award-free employees is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week from 1 July 2026, but many workers are covered by awards or agreements that set higher rates.

Yearly Salary Calculator – Understanding Your Pay Floor

A yearly salary calculator is a handy tool to convert your annual pay into weekly or hourly figures, making it easier to compare against Australia's legal minimums. Whether you are negotiating a new job, reviewing your current salary, or checking compliance, knowing the relevant pay floor is essential. This guide explains the different rates that may apply and how to use a yearly salary calculator effectively.

The Legal Minimum – National Minimum Wage

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage each year. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the adult national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour ordinary week. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual rate $33.05 per hour. These rates apply to national-system employees who are not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement. Most private-sector employees fall under the national system, but some state public sector and local government workers may be covered by state awards.

When you use a yearly salary calculator, divide your annual salary by 52 to get a weekly figure, then by 38 to get an hourly rate. If your hourly rate falls below $26.44 and you are an adult award-free employee, you may be underpaid. However, remember that junior rates, apprentice rates, and supported wages can be lower – see the junior percentage table below.

Award Rates and Agreements

Many employees are covered by a modern award that sets minimum pay rates higher than the national minimum. From 1 July 2026, modern award minimum wages rise by 4.75%, but the lowest ongoing classification cannot be less than the national minimum. Awards also include introductory rates for the first six months (minimum $25.74/h or $978.10/week). If you are covered by an award, your yearly salary calculator comparison should use the award rate, not the national minimum. Enterprise agreements can also set higher rates. Always check your award or agreement first.

Junior, Apprentice, and Supported Wage Rates

Award-free junior employees (under 21) are paid a percentage of the adult rate. For example, a 16-year-old gets 47.3% ($12.51/h), a 19-year-old gets 82.5% ($21.82/h). Casual juniors receive the casual loading on top. Apprentices and trainees follow the Miscellaneous Award rates, not the junior percentages. Supported wage employees may have a productivity-based rate. When using a yearly salary calculator, ensure you apply the correct percentage for your age and status.

Super Guarantee – An Employer Payment on Top

Your employer must pay super guarantee of 12% on top of your ordinary time earnings. This is not deducted from your salary; it is an additional payment into your super fund. When you compare your salary to the minimum wage, the base rate is before super. A yearly salary calculator typically shows gross pay before super, so factor in the 12% when considering your total remuneration.

Average Earnings – A Broader Benchmark

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) provides average earnings data. In May 2026, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings were $2,083.70 per week, and all employees average total earnings were $1,579.20 per week. These are survey averages, not legal minimums. Your yearly salary calculator can show how your pay compares to these averages, but remember that many factors (industry, experience, location) affect pay. The legal floor is the minimum wage or award rate, not the average.

Using the Yearly Salary Calculator Responsibly

A yearly salary calculator is a guide, not a determination. It cannot tell you which award applies or whether your employer is correctly classifying you. For that, refer to the Fair Work Ombudsman's resources or consult a workplace relations professional. Always check the Which minimum wage applies page to understand your coverage, and see the Rate tables for current award and minimum rates.

Summary

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44/h or $1,004.90/week for adults. Award rates may be higher. Junior, apprentice, and supported rates are lower. Super is paid on top. Use a yearly salary calculator to convert your annual salary to weekly or hourly, then compare against the correct floor. If you are unsure, seek advice from the Fair Work Ombudsman or a qualified professional.

For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.