Casual Loading Calculator
Work out a casual employee's loaded hourly rate and total pay from a base award rate plus a loading percentage, commonly 25% under Australian awards.
Your results
Calculation breakdown
- Casual rate
- $30.00 × (1 + 25%) = $37.50
- Total gross pay
- $37.50 × 20 hours = $750.00
Assumptions
- There is no single universal casual loading percentage — your award, enterprise agreement or contract sets the actual rate, commonly 25%.
- This estimate does not include penalty rates, allowances or overtime.
How this calculator works
Casual employees in Australia are generally paid a loading on top of the equivalent permanent base rate, most commonly set at 25% under modern awards, to compensate for the lack of paid leave entitlements, notice periods and other permanent benefits. This calculator takes a base hourly rate and a loading percentage, works out the dollar value of the loading per hour, the resulting casual hourly rate, and the total gross pay for the hours worked. Loading percentages can differ by award, industry and enterprise agreement, so always check the exact figure that applies to the role rather than assuming 25% across the board. Casual loading is paid instead of entitlements like annual leave and personal leave, not as well as them, which is an important distinction when comparing a casual rate to a permanent salary for the same role.
Frequently asked questions
Is casual loading always 25%?
25% is the most common rate under many modern awards, but the exact figure depends on the specific award, enterprise agreement or industry. Some awards set a different percentage, so check the award that applies to the job before relying on 25%.
Does casual loading replace annual leave and sick leave?
Yes. Casual loading compensates for the absence of paid annual leave, personal leave, notice of termination and redundancy pay that permanent employees receive. It is not an extra on top of those entitlements.
Can a casual convert to permanent employment?
Many casual employees have a pathway to request conversion to permanent employment after a period of regular, systematic work, subject to eligibility rules under the Fair Work Act and the applicable award or agreement.
Actual entitlements can depend on your award, enterprise agreement, contract, employment status and individual circumstances.