Using a Leave Loading Calculator in Australia: A Step-by-Step Guide
Calculates annual leave pay including the common 17.5% leave loading. 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 Leave Loading 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 3 inputs. The table shows each one with the example value used later in this guide.
| Input | Example value |
|---|---|
| Ordinary weekly pay ($) | 1500 |
| Weeks of leave | 4 |
| Loading (%) | 17.5 |
The formula
Leave loading = weekly pay × weeks of leave × loading %. Total = base leave pay + loading.
Worked example
Entering the example values above gives these results:
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Total leave pay (gross) | $7,050.00 |
| Base leave pay | $6,000.00 |
| Leave loading | $1,050.00 |
The headline figure is $7,050.00 (total leave pay (gross)). Change any input in the calculator and every result updates instantly, so you can test different scenarios side by side.
How the total leave pay (gross) changes with ordinary weekly pay
The table below keeps every other input at the example value and moves only “Ordinary weekly pay ($)” up and down by 10% and 20%. It shows how sensitive the total leave pay (gross) is to that one figure.
| Ordinary weekly pay ($) | Total leave pay (gross) |
|---|---|
| 1,200 | $5,640.00 |
| 1,400 | $6,580.00 |
| 1,500 | $7,050.00 |
| 1,700 | $7,990.00 |
| 1,800 | $8,460.00 |
At 1,200 the result is $5,640.00; at 1,800 it is $8,460.00. 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
Leave loading is set by your award or agreement. It is not a National Employment Standards entitlement for everyone.
Keep going
Before relying on the number, read Common Leave Loading Mistakes (and a Better Way). You might also find these guides useful:
- Redundancy Pay Calculator Explained for Australians
- How the Long Service Leave Calculator Works (With a Worked Example)
- Annual Leave Calculator: Formula, Example and What the Result Means
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 Leave Loading 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.