Replace the package
Match the wage, super, paid leave, public holidays and leave loading you give up.
Australian rates · 2026–27
Stop guessing.
Know what to charge.
Your wage is not your contractor rate. Add the costs nobody warns you about—then see the minimum hourly rate that keeps you paid, covered and profitable.
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RATE CHECK#AU-2609
Employee-equivalent pay$40.00/hr
Super replacement+
Paid leave & holidays+
Downtime & admin+
Business overheads+
TRUE RATE$103.28/hr
DON'T UNDERQUOTE
1.1 millionAustralian independent contractors
12%current super guarantee benchmark
Live resultupdates as every input changes
01
YOUR RATE WORKSHEET
Put your real numbers in.
What are you replacing?Your current gross pay before tax
Time you cannot invoiceWork-free days a contractor funds themselves
Build a sustainable businessProfit is different from paying yourself
Add GSTShow the customer-facing rate including 10% GST
02
WHY THE NUMBER JUMPS
A wage only pays for one line.
Fund the business
Cover vehicles, tools, insurance, licences, software, accounting and non-billable time.
Leave room to grow
Add a real profit margin so one bad month or repair bill does not wipe you out.
03
COMMON QUESTIONS
Before you accept an ABN rate.
What hourly rate should I charge as a contractor in Australia?
Start with the employee wage or salary you need to replace, then add super, paid leave, public holidays, non-billable time, business overheads and a sustainable profit margin. TrueRate AU calculates those layers from your own figures.
Is a $40 ABN rate the same as a $40 employee wage?
No. An employee wage usually sits alongside employer-funded super and paid time off. A contractor also has to cover downtime, administration, insurance, equipment and other business costs from the rate they charge.
Should I add GST to my contractor rate?
If you are registered or required to register for GST, your customer-facing price will normally include GST on top of your rate. TrueRate AU shows both the before-GST and including-GST figures.
Does this calculator estimate my income tax?
No. Tax depends on your structure, deductions and personal circumstances. TrueRate AU focuses on building a sustainable charge-out rate and keeps tax outside the estimate.
FOUNDING RELEASE
One underquoted job can cost more than this forever.
The calculator stays free. The paid Rate Pack turns your numbers into a polished case you can use to set a rate, negotiate a contract or explain a quote.
- Full itemised rate justification
- Ready-to-use negotiation wording
- Quote-floor and GST summary
- Print or save as your personal PDF
FOUNDING PASS
A$29one time
One personalised Rate Pack. No monthly subscription.
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