True Cost of an Employee Calculator
Estimate the true annual cost of employing staff in Australia, covering super, workers compensation, leave overhead and on-costs beyond salary.
Payroll tax thresholds and rates are set by each state/territory revenue office and are not bundled here — enter your own effective rate.
Your results
Calculation breakdown
- Total annual cost
- Salary + super + payroll tax + workers comp + leave overhead + recruitment + equipment + training + other benefits
- On-cost percentage
- ($119,000.00 − $100,000.00) ÷ $100,000.00 × 100 = 19%
Assumptions
- Payroll tax varies by state/territory and is not bundled — you must supply your own effective rate.
- Working hours per year defaults to a standard full-time year (38 hours × 52 weeks less leave, approximated).
- This is a total cost of employment estimate, not a payroll or award compliance calculation.
Actual entitlements can depend on your award, enterprise agreement, contract, employment status and individual circumstances.
Results are estimates only and are not financial, tax, legal or credit advice.
How this calculator works
Enter a gross salary along with employer superannuation, payroll tax, workers compensation, leave overhead and other on-costs to estimate the true total annual cost of an employee, the monthly cost, the cost per working hour and the overall on-cost percentage above salary.
Frequently asked questions
Why isn't payroll tax pre-filled?
Payroll tax thresholds and rates are set individually by each Australian state and territory revenue office, so you must enter your own applicable rate.
What's included in on-costs?
On-costs typically include superannuation, payroll tax, workers compensation, leave loading, recruitment, equipment and training costs above the base salary.
How is cost per hour calculated?
Total annual cost is divided by your entered working hours per year, letting you compare against contractor or freelance hourly rates.
Actual entitlements can depend on your award, enterprise agreement, contract, employment status and individual circumstances.
Results are estimates only and are not financial, tax, legal or credit advice.