How is annual leave calculated in Australia?

Full-time and part-time employees accrue 4 weeks of paid annual leave for each year of service (5 weeks for a shiftworker under an award or registered agreement), building up progressively based on ordinary hours worked rather than arriving in one lump sum each anniversary. For a full-time employee on 38 ordinary hours a week, that's 152 hours (4 weeks) a year — 2.9231 hours for every week worked. Part-time employees accrue the same way, pro rata on their own ordinary hours. Source: Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) s 87; fairwork.gov.au/leave/annual-leave.

Do casual employees get annual leave?

No. Casual employees are not entitled to paid annual leave under the National Employment Standards — that trade-off is reflected in casual loading instead. Source: Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) s 86; fairwork.gov.au/leave/annual-leave.

What is annual leave loading?

Leave loading — commonly 17.5% — is extra pay on top of your base rate while you're on annual leave. It is not a National Employment Standards entitlement on its own; it only applies where your award, enterprise agreement or employment contract provides for it. Check your award or agreement before assuming it applies. Source: fairwork.gov.au/leave/annual-leave/leave-loading.

Is unused annual leave paid out when I resign?

Yes. When your employment ends — whether you resign, are made redundant or are dismissed — your employer must pay out all accrued but untaken annual leave, calculated at the rate you would have been paid had you actually taken the leave, including any leave loading your award or agreement provides. Source: Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) s 90(2).

How is annual leave paid out on termination taxed?

Unused annual leave paid out when your employment ends is taxed as part of a termination-related lump sum, not simply added to your normal pay-as-you-go withholding — the exact tax treatment depends on why your employment ended. Check the ATO's guidance for your situation before relying on a net figure. Source: https://www.ato.gov.au.

Do shift workers get 5 weeks of annual leave?

Only if you meet the definition of a "shiftworker" in your award or registered agreement — this generally means being regularly rostered on shifts, including weekends and outside standard hours. If you do, you accrue 5 weeks of annual leave a year instead of 4. Source: Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) s 87(1)(b); fairwork.gov.au/leave/annual-leave.

Annual Leave Calculator

Work out annual leave accrued, your current balance, leave loading and what you're owed on resignation — full-time, part-time and shift workers.

Last verified: 22 September 2026

Employment type

Full-time

Permanent full-time employee

Part-time

Permanent part-time employee

Casual

No paid annual leave under the NES

Ordinary hours per week*

hours

Full-time is usually 38. Part-time workers, enter your actual ordinary hours.

Are you a shiftworker?

4 weeks of annual leave a year

Yes

5 weeks a year — only if your award or agreement defines you as a shiftworker

How do you want to enter your period of service?

Years / months / weeks

Enter how long you've worked there

Start and end date

Enter the exact dates

Years

Months

Weeks

Leave already taken this period

hours

Any annual leave you've already taken during the period above.

Hourly base rate (optional)

Add this to see the dollar value of your balance and what you'd be owed on resignation.

Does leave loading apply?

Most contracts — check your award or agreement

Yes (17.5%)

Only if your award or agreement provides it

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General information and estimates only — not legal, financial or tax advice. Always check your specific award, agreement or contract, or a qualified professional, before you rely on the result.

Annual Leave Calculator

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