PayMaths

Contractor rate calculator (ABN vs employee)

A day rate that looks high often isn't once you pay your own super, leave, insurance and costs. Use this before you quote or accept a contract.

Rates checked against ATO and official sources on 26 September 2026. How we calculate

Results update as you type.

I want to
260 weekdays less leave, public holidays and sick days.
Day rate you need$590 a day$77.69 an hour · $650 a day including GST
Salary$110,000
Super you now pay yourself (12%)$13,200
Costs, insurance and income protection$6,700
Revenue needed a year$129,900
Billable days220

At this revenue you must register for GST and add 10% to invoices.

How it's calculated

An employee is paid for 52 weeks, including about 4 weeks of annual leave, 10 days of personal leave and public holidays, and gets 12% super on top. A contractor bills only the days they work.

We add the salary, 12% super, your business costs, insurance and 2% for income protection, then divide by billable days. 220 is a common default: 260 weekdays less 20 days leave, about 10 public holidays and 10 sick days.

Before going ABN, check the sham contracting rules and whether you are really an employee, and whether the personal services income rules apply to you.

Common questions

Is $800 a day good?

At 220 billable days, $800 a day is $176,000 a year, equal to roughly a $150,000 salary after super, costs and insurance.

Should I add GST to my rate?

If you are registered for GST (required at $75,000 turnover), add 10% to invoices. The GST is not your income.

Related calculators

Sole trader taxHow much of your profit to put aside for tax, with the small business offset.GSTAdd 10% GST to a price or take it out of a GST-inclusive total.Take-home paySalary after tax, super, HECS and Medicare, per week, fortnight, month and year.

Sources