Leave Loading Calculator
Calculate your annual leave loading (17.5%) and total holiday pay entitlements.
Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates for general information purposes only. Results should not be relied upon as professional financial, tax, or legal advice. Tax rates and thresholds are based on publicly available ATO data and may change. Always consult a qualified tax agent or financial adviser for advice specific to your circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all employees get leave loading?
Is leave loading paid when you resign?
What is Leave Loading?
Annual leave loading is an extra payment of 17.5% on top of your base pay during annual leave. It was originally designed to compensate workers for lost overtime and shift penalties while on holiday.
How this calculator works
The calculator multiplies your weekly base pay by the number of leave weeks taken, then adds the leave loading percentage (standard 17.5%). Leave loading applies to base pay only — it does not include overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. Not all employees receive leave loading; check your award, enterprise agreement, or employment contract. Many modern awards and agreements include leave loading as a standard entitlement.
What Is Leave Loading?
Annual leave loading is an additional payment of 17.5% on top of your base pay rate while you are on annual leave. It originated in the 1970s as compensation for workers who would lose overtime, shift penalties, and other extras during holidays. Today it remains a standard entitlement under most modern awards and many enterprise agreements, although not all employees receive it.
Which Awards Include Leave Loading?
Most modern awards include a leave loading entitlement of 17.5%. This covers a wide range of industries including manufacturing, retail, hospitality, construction, healthcare, and professional services. Some awards provide that shift workers receive the greater of the 17.5% loading or the shift penalties they would have received — whichever is higher. Award-free employees only receive leave loading if it is specified in their employment contract.
How Leave Loading Is Calculated
Leave loading is calculated on your ordinary base rate of pay only. It does not include overtime, penalty rates, allowances, bonuses, or any other additional payments. For example, if your base weekly pay is $1,200, the leave loading for one week of annual leave is $1,200 x 17.5% = $210. For four weeks of leave, the total loading would be $840.
When Is Leave Loading Paid?
Leave loading is typically paid when you take annual leave — it is included in your pay for each leave period. Some employers choose to pay leave loading as a lump sum once per year (usually in December). When your employment ends, you are entitled to leave loading on any accrued but untaken annual leave as part of your final pay, provided your award or agreement includes leave loading.
Shift Workers and Leave Loading
Many awards provide shift workers with the greater of the 17.5% leave loading or the shift penalties and weekend loadings they would have earned had they been working during the leave period. This means shift workers who regularly work nights, weekends, or public holidays may receive more than the standard 17.5% loading.
Common Leave Loading Rates by Award Type
| Most modern awards (standard) | 17.5% |
| Shift workers (many awards) | Greater of 17.5% or shift penalties forgone |
| Clerks — Private Sector Award | 17.5% |
| Manufacturing and Associated Industries Award | 17.5% |
| Building and Construction Award | 17.5% |
| General Retail Industry Award | 17.5% |
| Health Professionals and Support Services Award | 17.5% |
| Hospitality Industry General Award | 17.5% |
| Award-free employees | Only if specified in employment contract |
Leave loading applies to base rate of pay only — it does not include overtime, penalties, allowances, or bonuses. Check your specific award or enterprise agreement for the applicable rate.
Worked Examples
$1,500/week base pay, taking 4 weeks annual leave
Leave loading: $1,050.00
- Weekly base pay: $1,500.00
- Leave loading rate: 17.5%
- Loading per week: $1,500.00 x 17.5% = $262.50
- Total loading for 4 weeks: $262.50 x 4 = $1,050.00
- Total pay during leave: ($1,500.00 x 4) + $1,050.00 = $7,050.00
$850/week base pay, taking 2 weeks annual leave
Leave loading: $297.50
- Weekly base pay: $850.00
- Leave loading rate: 17.5%
- Loading per week: $850.00 x 17.5% = $148.75
- Total loading for 2 weeks: $148.75 x 2 = $297.50
- Total pay during leave: ($850.00 x 2) + $297.50 = $1,997.50
Official Sources
All calculations are performed in your browser — your data never leaves your device. Results are for general guidance only and should not be considered professional financial advice.
Built and maintained by Konstantin Iakovlev. Data sourced from the ATO and official Australian government sources.