Calculate how much you are owed in back pay if underpaid by $3 per hour for 5 years.
Last verified: 21 May 2026You are owed approximately $36,901.80 in back pay
Based on $3/hr underpayment x 38 hrs/week x 52 weeks x 5 years, plus super and estimated interest.
| Underpayment per hour | $3.00 |
| Hours per week (full-time) | 38 |
| Weeks per year | 52 |
| Years underpaid | 5 |
| Total hours underpaid | 9,880 |
| Unpaid wages | $29,640.00 |
| Unpaid super (12%) | $3,556.80 |
| Estimated interest (~5% p.a.) | $3,705.00 |
| Total owed (estimate) | $36,901.80 |
Important: You can only claim back pay for the last 6 years from the date you lodge your claim. Any underpayment older than 6 years is statute-barred.
Your claim covers 5 years, which is within the 6-year limit. However, the sooner you act, the more you can recover.
See how back pay varies by underpayment amount and duration (wages + super, excluding interest):
If you worked full-time (38 hours/week) and were underpaid by $3/hr for 5 years, you are owed approximately $29,640.00 in wages, plus $3,556.80 in unpaid super (12%), for a total of approximately $36,901.80 including estimated interest.
Yes. Your employer must pay 12% super on top of your ordinary time earnings. If you were underpaid wages, your super was also likely underpaid. In this case, the super shortfall is approximately $3,556.80.
Under the Fair Work Act, you can claim back pay for up to 6 years from the date you file your claim. This is a strict limitation period — after 6 years, the claim is statute-barred. This is why it is important to act quickly if you believe you are being underpaid.
Courts can award interest on underpaid wages. The rate varies but is typically around 5% per annum simple interest. In this scenario, estimated interest would be approximately $3,705.00.
“I'm using the Underpaid $3/hr for 5 years on FairWork Mate. Walk me through what this typically tells me and what I should do next.”
Ask FairWork Mate AI →
Get notified when rates change
Free alerts when minimum wage, award rates, or workplace laws are updated.
Free forever. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Stuck on your numbers?
Ask our AI advisor — it'll talk you through your specific situation in seconds.
FairWork Mate is an independent commercial service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or associated with the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Fair Work Commission, or any Australian Government agency. Content is general information and estimates only — not legal, financial, or tax advice. Always verify with the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified professional.
Free tools surface the issue. Our partners help you solve it.
Authorised Employment Hero Partner
Australian HR, payroll, rostering and award interpretation in one platform. Used by 300,000+ businesses. Fixes the underlying payroll/compliance issues our calculators surface.
Best for: SMEs that have outgrown spreadsheet payroll or want automated award interpretation.
See Employment HeroLaw Tram — lawyer matching
Matched with the right Australian lawyer for your situation — unfair dismissal, underpayment, workplace injury, debt, tenancy and more. Many lawyers offer a free first consult and no-win-no-fee arrangements.
Best for: anyone whose workplace or personal legal issue needs proper advice, not just a calculator.
Find a lawyerIT, Microsoft & cyber partner
Microsoft 365, Copilot rollouts, Essential Eight, Privacy Act 2026 and board-level cyber compliance for Australian SMBs. Where pay and HR end, your data and IT obligations begin.
Best for: SMBs running on Microsoft 365, anyone hitting cyber/privacy compliance, boards wanting an outside read on IT risk.
See FrontrowAffiliate partners — commissions fund the free tools on this site. We only recommend partners we've vetted as a good fit for Australian workplaces.