Casual loading calculator
This casual loading calculator adds the standard 25% casual loading to a permanent base rate and shows what it's worth over a year. It also compares casual pay with permanent pay plus the value of paid leave, so you can see whether a casual or permanent role pays more for your hours. Enter the base hourly rate from your award and your usual weekly hours.
Updated 12 November 2026 · Uses 2026-27 figures
Work out your casual rate
Enter the permanent base rate for the job and your weekly hours.
General information only, not financial, tax or legal advice. Results are estimates based on 2026-27 figures and the assumptions shown. Check your award, agreement or a qualified adviser for your situation.
Looking for steady shifts or a permanent role? TQN Personnel places casual, contract and permanent staff across Australia.
Find workHow to use the casual loading calculator
- Enter the permanent base hourly rate for the job. You'll find it in the award pay guide for your classification.
- Enter your hours per week.
- Read your casual hourly rate, the loading per hour, and casual vs permanent pay over a year.
How much is casual loading?
Casual loading is 25% of the ordinary hourly rate under almost all modern awards and the national minimum wage order. It's paid because casual employees don't get paid annual leave, paid personal leave, notice of termination or redundancy pay.
To calculate a casual rate, multiply the base rate by 1.25. For the national minimum wage of $26.44 from 1 July 2026, the casual rate is $33.05 an hour.
| Permanent base rate | Casual loading (25%) | Casual rate |
|---|---|---|
| $26.44 | $6.61 | $33.05 |
| $28.00 | $7.00 | $35.00 |
| $30.00 | $7.50 | $37.50 |
| $35.00 | $8.75 | $43.75 |
Worked example: casual vs permanent over a year
A job has a permanent base rate of $26.50 an hour. The casual rate is $33.13, which is $6.63 of loading each hour.
At 38 hours a week for 52 weeks, a casual earns about $65,455 and a permanent employee earns $52,364.
The permanent employee also gets paid leave worth about $6,747 (4 weeks of annual leave with 17.5% loading and 2 weeks of personal leave). Even after that, the casual comes out $6,344 ahead, as long as they actually work every week.
The comparison changes if hours drop. A casual isn't paid for weeks without shifts, public holidays they don't work, or days off sick. Permanent employees also get notice, redundancy pay and more predictable income, which matters for things like loan applications.
What casual loading replaces
Casual employees don't get these entitlements, which the loading is meant to compensate for:
- Paid annual leave (4 weeks a year for permanent staff)
- Paid personal and carer's leave (10 days a year)
- Notice of termination and redundancy pay
- Payment for public holidays they aren't rostered to work
Casuals still get super at 12%, penalty rates, unpaid carer's leave, unpaid compassionate leave, family and domestic violence leave, and long service leave in most states once they have enough continuous service.
Casual conversion: becoming permanent
Under the Fair Work Act's employee choice pathway, a casual who has worked for at least 6 months (12 months for a small business employer) and believes they're no longer a casual can notify their employer in writing that they want to become permanent. The employer can only refuse on fair and reasonable grounds and must respond in writing.
Before you ask to convert, use the calculator to see what you'd give up in loading and what you'd gain in paid leave and security.
Casual work through labour hire
Most labour hire roles are casual, which gives flexibility to both the worker and the host business. TQN Personnel places casual staff in warehousing, hospitality, driving, construction and care, and some roles lead to permanent positions. You can register for casual work. To check weekend and public holiday pay on top of the loading, use the penalty rates calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is casual loading?
Casual loading is an extra amount paid to casual employees, usually 25% of the ordinary hourly rate. It compensates for not getting paid annual leave, paid personal leave, notice or redundancy pay.
How much is casual loading in Australia?
Casual loading is 25% under the national minimum wage order and almost all modern awards. On a $28 base rate, that's $7 an hour, making the casual rate $35 an hour.
How do you calculate casual loading?
Multiply the permanent base hourly rate by 0.25 to get the loading, or by 1.25 to get the full casual rate. For example, $30 × 1.25 = $37.50 an hour.
Do casual employees get annual leave?
No. Casual employees don't get paid annual leave or paid sick leave. The 25% casual loading is paid instead. Casuals do get unpaid carer's leave, super, penalty rates and, in most states, long service leave after enough continuous service.
Do casuals get sick leave?
Casuals don't get paid sick leave. They can take 2 days of unpaid carer's leave per occasion and 2 days of unpaid compassionate leave, plus paid family and domestic violence leave.
Is casual or permanent better paid?
If you work every week, a casual usually earns more even after counting the value of permanent leave. If your hours are irregular or you take time off, permanent work often comes out ahead because leave, public holidays and sick days are paid.
Related calculators
Sources and assumptions
- Fair Work Ombudsman: Minimum wages
- Fair Work Ombudsman: Casual employees
- Fair Work Ombudsman: Becoming a permanent employee
General information only, not financial, tax or legal advice. Results are estimates based on 2026-27 figures and the assumptions shown. Check your award, agreement or a qualified adviser for your situation.