Casual Loading Calculator
25% is the Fair Work default for award/agreement-free casuals — check your specific award, as some set a different rate.
Casual hourly rate
$40.00
Loading amount
+$8.00/hr
Weekly pay
$1,000.00
At 25% loading on a $32.00/hr base rate, working 25 hrs/week earns $200.00 more per week than the permanent base rate would — around $52,000 a year before tax at this roster.
Quick answer
A casual employee in Australia is typically paid their base hourly rate plus a 25% casual loading, which compensates for not receiving paid leave or notice of termination. On a $32/hr base rate, the standard casual rate is $40/hr. The exact loading is set by the applicable award or the Fair Work Commission's National Minimum Wage Order, so always check your specific award.
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Browse Pay & ContractorHow casual loading works
Casual loading is a percentage added on top of the equivalent permanent employee’s base hourly rate. It exists because casual employees miss out on entitlements permanent staff get automatically — paid annual leave, paid personal/carer’s leave, and notice (or payment in lieu) if their job ends.
The formula is simple:
Casual hourly rate = Base hourly rate × (1 + casual loading %)25% is the default casual loading rate set by the Fair Work Commission’s National Minimum Wage Order for employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. Most Modern Awards also set casual loading at 25%, but it isn’t a single fixed national rate — always check the award that covers your role, since some set a different percentage. See the Fair Work Ombudsman’s casual employees page to confirm the rate for your industry.
Casual loading applies to the base rate before any penalty rates (like weekend or public holiday loadings), which are usually calculated as a further percentage on top — see our penalty rates calculator for that step.
Worked example
Priya works as a casual receptionist at a medical clinic in Adelaide. The award sets a base rate of $28.50/hr for her classification, with the standard 25% casual loading. Her casual rate is:
$28.50 × 1.25 = $35.63/hr
Working 22 hours a week, Priya earns $783.75 a week before tax — $156.75 more than a permanent employee on the same $28.50 base rate would earn for the same hours, because that permanent employee’s base rate already assumes paid leave is banked separately. Priya’s higher hourly rate is her only leave entitlement; she doesn’t accrue paid annual or personal leave on top.
| Base rate | Casual rate (25% loading) | Weekly pay (22 hrs) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent | $28.50/hr | — | $627.00 |
| Casual | $28.50/hr | $35.63/hr | $783.75 |
Frequently asked questions
Is casual loading always 25% in Australia?
No. 25% is the default under the Fair Work Commission's National Minimum Wage Order for casuals not covered by an award or agreement, and most Modern Awards also set 25% — but individual awards can set a different rate, so check the award that applies to your job.
Why do casual employees get a loading on top of the base rate?
Casual loading compensates for entitlements permanent employees get that casuals don't, including paid annual leave, paid sick and carer's leave, and notice of termination. It's built into the higher hourly rate rather than paid separately.
Does super get paid on casual loading?
Yes. Superannuation Guarantee contributions are calculated on ordinary time earnings, which includes casual loading, so your employer's super contribution is based on your full casual rate, not just the base rate.
Is a casual's total pay always higher than a permanent employee's?
Per hour worked, yes — but permanent employees also receive paid leave and job security that casuals don't. Over a full year with the same hours, a permanent employee's paid leave often narrows or closes the gap, depending on how much leave they take.
How do I find the casual loading rate for my specific award?
Use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool or your award's pay guide, both linked from fairwork.gov.au, to find the exact casual loading percentage and minimum rates that apply to your classification.
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Written and verified by Nirbhay Tripathi
Last updated 18 August 2026
All rates on this page are verified againstFair Work Ombudsman — Casual employees, Fair Work Ombudsman — Minimum wages fact sheeton 18 August 2026. See our methodology for the full update calendar.