Work out 17.5% leave loading on annual leave
Enter a weekly wage and weeks of annual leave to see the normal leave pay, the 17.5% leave loading amount (editable) and the total annual-leave pay including loading.
This calculator provides general estimates only. Annual leave loading (commonly 17.5%) applies only where the relevant modern award, enterprise agreement or contract provides for it — not every employee is entitled to it. It does not include superannuation or tax. It is not legal or payroll advice — confirm entitlements with Fair Work before paying leave. It does not constitute legal, HR, or professional advice and should not be relied on as a substitute for advice specific to your business, workforce, or circumstances.
Annual leave loading calculator
Enter the base weekly wage and weeks of annual leave. Leave loading defaults to 17.5%.
Annual-leave pay estimate
Estimates only — verify before making decisions.
What annual leave loading is
Annual leave loading is an extra amount — most commonly 17.5% — paid on top of an employee’s normal wage while they are on paid annual leave. It originated to make up for overtime or penalty earnings a worker would miss while on holiday.
To calculate it, multiply the normal leave pay by the loading percentage. For an employee on $1,000 per week taking 4 weeks of annual leave: normal leave pay is $1,000 × 4 = $4,000, the 17.5% loading is $4,000 × 0.175 = $700, and the total is $4,700. Leave loading only applies where an award, enterprise agreement or contract provides for it — always check the entitlement first.
Worked examples (17.5% loading)
How 17.5% leave loading adds to annual-leave pay. Figures exclude tax and superannuation.
$1,000/wk · 4 weeks leave
Normal leave pay $4,000.00 + loading $700.00 = total $4,700.00.
$1,200/wk · 4 weeks leave
Normal leave pay $4,800.00 + loading $840.00 = total $5,640.00.
$1,500/wk · 5 weeks leave (shift worker)
Normal leave pay $7,500.00 + loading $1,312.50 = total $8,812.50.
Not every employee gets leave loading
Leave loading is not a universal entitlement — it depends on the applicable award, agreement or contract, and the rate can differ from 17.5%. Some shift workers receive the greater of 17.5% or their shift/weekend penalties. Check the relevant award rates and confirm with Fair Work before paying it.
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- 17.5% leave loading (editable)
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Frequently asked questions
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Multiply the normal annual-leave pay by the loading percentage (commonly 17.5%). For 4 weeks of leave at $1,000 per week, normal leave pay is $4,000, the loading is $4,000 × 0.175 = $700, and the total is $4,700. This calculator does the maths for you — see how to calculate leave entitlements.
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The most common rate is 17.5%, but it depends on the applicable award, enterprise agreement or contract — some provide a different rate or none at all. Verify with the Fair Work Pay Calculator.
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Leave loading is generally calculated on the employee’s base rate for their ordinary hours of annual leave. Some awards give shift workers the greater of the loading or the shift penalties they would have earned — check the specific award.