Leave loading
calculator.
Calculate the 17.5% leave loading on annual leave pay for Australian employees. Includes the "greater of" comparison for shift workers.
Employee details
Your leave loading results
This calculator uses the standard 17.5% leave loading rate. Check your applicable Modern Award or enterprise agreement for specific requirements. Not all awards include leave loading.
Leave Balance handles leave loading calculations automatically across multiple Modern Awards and enterprise agreements — per-employee policy configuration, separate tracking of base pay and loading, and reporting that shows the full cost of annual leave. AUD $29/month flat, unlimited employees and policies.
Start free trialHow leave loading is calculated
Leave loading is a 17.5% payment on top of base pay during annual leave. Many Modern Awards also require a "greater of" comparison.
Base rate calculation
Leave loading is calculated on the employee's ordinary base rate of pay only. It excludes overtime, bonuses, allowances, and superannuation. The base leave pay is: hourly rate × hours per day × leave days.
17.5% loading
The standard leave loading is 17.5% of the base leave pay. This compensates employees for the overtime, penalty rates, and other loadings they would have earned if they had been at work. Example: A$1,000 base pay = A$175 loading.
"Greater of" test
Many Modern Awards require employers to pay whichever is higher: base rate + 17.5% loading, or what the employee would have earned on their normal roster including shift penalties and weekend rates. This calculator runs both calculations for you.
Legal source: Fair Work Act 2009 — National Employment Standards; applicable Modern Awards. For a detailed explanation with worked examples, read our guide: Leave Loading in Australia: How to Calculate It and Who Gets It.
Calculator questions, clearly answered
Common questions about leave loading and how the calculator works.
Talk to our team 01 What is leave loading?
Leave loading is an additional 17.5% payment on top of an employee's base rate of pay when they take annual leave. It applies to most employees covered by a Modern Award in Australia. The payment was introduced to compensate workers who regularly earn overtime or penalty rates for the income they lose while on leave.
02 Does every employee get leave loading?
No. Leave loading only applies if the employee's Modern Award or enterprise agreement includes a leave loading clause. Award-free employees (such as high-income earners above the high-income threshold) are only entitled if their employment contract specifies it. Casual employees do not receive leave loading because they are not entitled to paid annual leave.
03 What is the 'greater of' test?
Many Modern Awards require employers to pay whichever is higher: the base rate plus 17.5% leave loading, or the amount the employee would have earned if they had worked their normal roster (including shift penalties and weekend rates). This ensures shift workers with regular penalty rates are not disadvantaged by taking leave.
04 Is leave loading paid on termination?
Most Modern Awards require leave loading to be paid on accrued but unused annual leave when employment ends. Some awards exclude this or only require it if the employer initiated the termination. Check the specific termination clause in the applicable award or enterprise agreement.
05 How accurate is this calculator?
This calculator uses the standard 17.5% leave loading rate and allows you to input your actual shift penalty rates for the 'greater of' comparison. It provides accurate calculations based on the inputs you provide. Always verify against the specific Modern Award or enterprise agreement that applies to your workplace, as some awards have variations on the standard rules.