Payroll Cost Calculator (Australia)
Estimate the total cost of an employee in Australia. This calculator includes superannuation, casual loading, and paid leave to provide indicative weekly, monthly, and annual payroll costs based on your inputs.
Takes ~30 seconds · No login required · Estimates only
Enter employee details
Estimated payroll cost
Enter details and click calculate to see results
Weekly payroll cost
$0.00
Monthly payroll cost
$0.00
Annual payroll cost
$0.00
Gross wages (annual)
$0.00
Superannuation (annual)
$0.00
Paid leave value
$0.00
True hourly cost
$0.00
Includes super at 12%.
Employment type comparison
Casual
Higher hourly cost with loading, but no paid leave
Part-time
Ongoing hours with paid leave entitlements
Full-time
38 hours/week with full leave entitlements
This calculator provides general estimates only. Actual employment costs depend on awards, penalties, and individual circumstances.
What's included in payroll costs?
Superannuation
Employers must contribute to an employee's super fund on top of their wages. The current Superannuation Guarantee rate is 12% (as of 1 July 2025). This applies to most employees earning $450 or more per month.
Casual loading
Casual employees receive a loading (typically 25%) on top of their base hourly rate. This loading compensates for not receiving paid leave entitlements like annual leave, personal leave, and public holidays. The loading percentage varies by award.
Paid leave (permanent employees)
Part-time and full-time employees are entitled to paid leave under the National Employment Standards (NES), including 4 weeks annual leave, 10 days personal/carer's leave, and paid public holidays. These entitlements add to your total employment cost.
Why true employee cost is often higher than hourly pay
When you hire an employee at $25 per hour, that's not what they actually cost your business. The true cost includes superannuation contributions (adding 12%+), and for permanent staff, the value of paid leave where you're paying for time not worked.
For example, a full-time employee earning $25/hour doesn't just cost $49,400/year (38 hrs × 52 weeks × $25). With super and paid leave, the true cost is closer to $59,000-$62,000 annually—about 20-25% more than the base wage calculation suggests.
Understanding your true employment costs helps with budgeting, pricing your products or services, and making informed decisions about casual vs permanent employment.
Choosing casual vs part-time vs full-time
Casual employment
Best for: Variable demand, seasonal work, or when you need flexibility in rostering hours. Casual employees can be offered shifts as needed with no guaranteed hours.
Cost consideration: Higher hourly cost (25% loading) but no paid leave obligations. Often lower total cost for irregular or short-term work.
Part-time employment
Best for: Ongoing roles with consistent but reduced hours (less than 38/week). Part-time employees have agreed regular hours and receive pro-rata leave entitlements.
Cost consideration: Lower hourly rate than casual (no loading) but must factor in paid leave. Better for stable, ongoing positions.
Full-time employment
Best for: Core team members in ongoing roles requiring 38 hours per week. Full-time employees receive full leave entitlements and have the highest job security.
Cost consideration: Highest total cost due to full leave entitlements, but often best value for essential, skilled positions where retention matters.
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Payroll Calculator
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Frequently asked questions
- Yes. Superannuation is included using the rate you enter (default 12%). The calculator adds super on top of gross wages to show your total employment cost.
- For part-time and full-time employees, yes. The calculator includes annual leave (4 weeks), personal/carer's leave (10 days), and public holidays (10 days) based on standard NES entitlements. You can adjust these in the advanced settings.
- Yes, if you select casual employment type. The default casual loading is 25%, which applies to most Modern Awards. You can adjust this percentage if your award specifies a different rate.
- No. This calculator estimates base payroll costs only. Penalty rates for weekends, public holidays, evenings, and overtime would increase the actual cost. Use this as a baseline estimate.
- No. This tool provides general estimates only based on the inputs you provide. Actual employment costs depend on the applicable Modern Award, enterprise agreement, individual circumstances, and current legislation. Always verify with official sources and seek professional advice.
- True hourly cost divides your total annual employment cost (including super and paid leave) by the actual hours worked. This shows what each productive hour really costs your business, which is typically higher than the base hourly rate.
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Disclaimer
This calculator provides general estimates only. Actual employment costs depend on awards, penalties, enterprise agreements, and individual circumstances. It does not constitute legal or payroll advice. Always verify calculations with official sources such as the Fair Work Pay Calculator and consult with qualified professionals.
Payroll cost calculator – disclaimer & terms of use
Please read and accept the following terms before using this calculator.
1. Estimates Only
This calculator provides general estimates for planning and educational purposes only. Results are not intended to be accurate, complete, or suitable for any specific purpose.
2. Not Legal or Financial Advice
This tool does not provide legal, financial, payroll, or employment advice. The estimates do not account for specific Modern Award provisions, enterprise agreements, individual contracts, or other employment conditions.
3. User Responsibility
You are solely responsible for:
- verifying all calculations with official sources,
- consulting qualified professionals for payroll and employment matters,
- supporting compliance with applicable awards, agreements, and legislation.
4. Award Rates May Differ
Actual payroll costs vary significantly based on the applicable Modern Award, classification level, penalty rate structures, allowances, and superannuation thresholds. This calculator uses simplified assumptions that may not reflect your specific situation.
5. No Guarantee of Accuracy
While we aim to provide helpful estimates, we make no warranties about the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the results. Rates and rules change frequently, and this tool may not reflect the latest updates.
6. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, RosterElf and its providers disclaim all liability for any loss, damage, or claims arising from the use of this calculator or reliance on its results.
Confirmation
I understand that this calculator provides estimates only and is not a substitute for professional advice. I will verify all calculations before making business decisions.
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