Annual Leave Calculator
Calculate the dollar value of your accrued annual leave, plus 17.5% leave loading and the net payout if cashed out at termination.
Your details
How annual leave works in Australia
Accrual
Full-time employees accrue 4 weeks (152 hours at the standard 38-hour week) per year of service under the National Employment Standards. Continuous shift workers accrue 5 weeks. Part-time and casual rules differ.
17.5% loading
Many awards and enterprise agreements provide 17.5% leave loading on top of your normal pay when you take leave. It originated when employees relied on overtime — taking leave meant losing that overtime income. Check your specific award.
Taxation on payout
Unused leave paid out at termination (resignation, redundancy) is generally taxed at your marginal rate. The employer adds it to your final pay and PAYG withholding handles the tax. If withheld at a fixed rate (often 32%), you may receive a refund at tax time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Full-time employees accrue 4 weeks (152 hours at 38 hours/week) of paid annual leave per year of service under the Fair Work National Employment Standards. Shift workers may accrue 5 weeks. Part-timers accrue pro-rata.
Leave loading is an extra payment on top of your normal pay when you take annual leave. It originated when employees relied on overtime — taking leave meant losing that income. Many modern awards still include it, typically at 17.5%. Check your award or contract.
It depends on your award or enterprise agreement. Some require it; some don't. Use the toggle in the calculator to model both scenarios.
Generally at your marginal tax rate. If the payout is part of a genuine redundancy, some concessional treatment may apply. This calculator estimates tax at your marginal rate, which is accurate for resignations and most terminations.
Yes, in some cases. You must keep at least 4 weeks accrued after the cashout, have a written agreement, and be covered by an award or agreement that allows it. The cashout is taxed at marginal rate.
Some enterprise agreements provide leave loading above 17.5% — sometimes 20% or 25%. Some employers also pay a flat amount instead of a percentage. Check your specific agreement.
Related Resources
This calculator uses 2025-26 ATO marginal tax rates and the standard 17.5% loading. Your specific entitlements depend on your award, enterprise agreement, or contract.
Last updated: June 2026