Freelance RateSetting a freelance rate in Australia
A checklist of the things that change a freelancer's rate in Australia, with a calculator that starts with example figures.
Australian freelancers usually work with an ABN, send invoices, and pay income tax on profit. There is no employer paying retirement contributions, so saving for it is a personal decision that the rate has to fund.
What to include in your rate
- Tax: use the tax percentage box for the share of profit that goes in income tax and the Medicare levy, then check the Australian Taxation Office guidance for your income level.
- Superannuation: an employer pays it for staff, but a sole trader chooses their own contributions; use the savings box.
- GST: registration depends on turnover, so check the ATO rules before adding GST to a quote.
- Public holidays: they differ by state, and you are not paid for them. Count them as weeks off.
- Insurance: professional indemnity, public liability and income protection are business costs worth listing.
Try it with example figures
The form below starts with example numbers in australian dollar. They are made up: replace each one with your own.
A worked example
| Take-home wanted | A$90,000 |
| Business costs | A$7,000 |
| Profit needed before tax and savings (28% + 11%) | A$147,541 |
| Income to bill in the year | A$154,541 |
| Billable hours (46 weeks, 38 hours, 55% billed) | 961 |
| Hourly floor | A$161 |
| Day rate floor | A$1,222 |
That is a floor of A$161 an hour. With 3 more weeks off the floor would be A$172.
Common questions
Which weeks off should a freelancer in Australia count?
Count the public holidays in the place where you live, your own leave and a few sick days. This example uses 6 weeks; use your own number and be cautious, because most freelancers take more time off than they plan.
Where do I check the tax rules?
Ask the Australian Taxation Office, or a qualified accountant in Australia. This site does not state rates because they change; type your own percentage into the form.
Keep going
Example figures on this site are made up to show the working. They are not market rates or averages. Tax, social-insurance, sales-tax and holiday rules differ by country and change, so this site does not state them: ask the tax authority of your country or an accountant. Checked 14 November 2026.