Annual Leave Calculator: Formula, Example and What the Result Means
Works out annual leave accrued for full-time and part-time employees. This guide walks through what each input means, the formula behind the answer and a worked example using typical Australian figures. You can follow along in the free Annual Leave Calculator.
Why it matters
Australia taxes individuals on a progressive scale, so each extra dollar can be taxed at a different rate from the last. On top of income tax, most residents pay the 2% Medicare levy, and many carry HELP debts that are repaid through the tax system. Employers withhold tax from each pay under PAYG, and the annual tax return squares up the difference.
What you need to enter
The calculator asks for 2 inputs. The table shows each one with the example value used later in this guide.
| Input | Example value |
|---|---|
| Ordinary hours per week | 38 |
| Weeks worked | 52 |
The formula
Full-time and part-time employees accrue 4 weeks per year of ordinary hours: hours per week × 4 × weeks worked ÷ 52.
Worked example
Entering the example values above gives these results:
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual leave accrued | 152 hours |
| Equivalent days (7.6-hour days) | 20 |
The headline figure is 152 hours (annual leave accrued). Change any input in the calculator and every result updates instantly, so you can test different scenarios side by side.
How the annual leave accrued changes with ordinary hours per week
The table below keeps every other input at the example value and moves only “Ordinary hours per week” up and down by 10% and 20%. It shows how sensitive the annual leave accrued is to that one figure.
| Ordinary hours per week | Annual leave accrued |
|---|---|
| 30 | 120 hours |
| 34 | 136 hours |
| 38 | 152 hours |
| 42 | 168 hours |
| 46 | 184 hours |
At 30 the result is 120 hours; at 46 it is 184 hours. If a small change in this input moves the answer a lot, it is worth double-checking that figure before you rely on the result.
A practical tip
Shift workers under some awards get 5 weeks a year. Casuals do not accrue paid annual leave.
Keep going
Before relying on the number, read Annual Leave: What to Check Before You Trust the Number. You might also find these guides useful:
- How the Income Tax Calculator Works (With a Worked Example)
- Pay Calculator (Take-Home Pay): Formula, Example and What the Result Means
- Using a Salary Sacrifice Calculator in Australia: A Step-by-Step Guide
Frequently asked questions
- Are these results exact?
- They are estimates based on standard resident rates. Your actual tax depends on your full circumstances, offsets and any private health insurance position. The ATO’s own tools or a registered tax agent give a definitive answer.
- Do the calculators work for non-residents?
- No. Non-residents have different rates, no tax-free threshold and no Medicare levy. These calculators assume you are an Australian resident for tax purposes.
- When do tax rates change?
- Rates usually change on 1 July, the start of the Australian financial year. Check the ATO website each July for the current figures.
Run your own numbers in the Annual Leave Calculator.
Open the calculatorGeneral information only. Rates and thresholds change, usually on 1 July. Confirm current figures with the ATO or the relevant authority, and get personal advice for decisions about your situation.