PayByRoster Calculator Info
Complete technical documentation for PayByRoster — the free pay calculator for Australian roster-based workers.
What is PayByRoster?
PayByRoster is a free online pay calculator for Australian roster-based workers including FIFO mining, healthcare, emergency services, aviation, maritime, and manufacturing workers. It accurately calculates take-home pay, tax deductions, Medicare Levy, and superannuation contributions for any roster pattern.
Calculation Engine
How Calculations Work
PayByRoster uses the latest Australian Taxation Office (ATO) rates for 2025-26:
Tax Calculations
| Taxable Income | Tax Rate | Tax Payable |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $18,200 | 0% | Nil |
| $18,201 – $45,000 | 16% | 16c for each $1 over $18,200 |
| $45,001 – $135,000 | 30% | $4,288 plus 30c for each $1 over $45,000 |
| $135,001 – $190,000 | 37% | $31,288 plus 37c for each $1 over $135,000 |
| $190,001+ | 45% | $51,638 plus 45c for each $1 over $190,000 |
- Medicare Levy: 2% of taxable income
- Medicare Levy Surcharge: 1.0-1.5% for high earners without private health insurance
- Low Income Tax Offset (LITO): Up to $700 (phases out at $66,667)
- Tax-free threshold: $18,200 for Australian residents
Superannuation
- Superannuation Guarantee: 12% of ordinary time earnings (2025-26)
- Maximum contribution base: $62,500 per quarter ($250,000 per year)
Roster Calculations
- Calculates days worked vs days off per year
- Includes shift penalties, night shift loadings, and weekend rates
- Accounts for public holiday rates
- Calculates total take-home pay after tax and super
Penalty Rate Calculations
| Penalty Type | Default Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Night shift | 15-30% | Varies by industry award |
| Saturday | 50-100% | Award-dependent |
| Sunday | 75-200% | Award-dependent |
| Public holidays | 150-250% | Award-dependent |
| Overtime | 150-200% | Time-and-a-half or double-time |
Stacking Order
Penalties are calculated in the following order:
- Base hourly rate
- Shift loading (if applicable)
- Weekend penalty (if applicable)
- Public holiday penalty (if applicable)
- Overtime multiplier (if applicable)
Supported Roster Types
Pre-configured FIFO/DIDO Patterns
| Pattern | Days On | Days Off | Cycle Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2/1 | 14 | 7 | 21 days |
| 7/7 | 7 | 7 | 14 days |
| 8/6 | 8 | 6 | 14 days |
| 4/3 | 4 | 3 | 7 days |
| 2/2 | 14 | 14 | 28 days |
| 14/14 | 14 | 14 | 28 days |
| 21/7 | 21 | 7 | 28 days |
| 28/14 | 28 | 14 | 42 days |
| 4/1 | 28 | 7 | 35 days |
Healthcare Shift Patterns
- 12-hour shifts (days/nights)
- 8-hour shifts (3 shifts per day)
- 10-hour shifts
- Rotating shift patterns
- Fixed night shift
- On-call arrangements
Emergency Services
- 10/14 rotating roster
- 24-hour shifts
- Day/Night rotation patterns
Custom Roster Builder
Users can create custom roster patterns by specifying:
- Days worked per cycle
- Days off per cycle
- Shift length (hours)
- Start/end times
- Rotation frequency
Features
Comparison Tool
- Compare up to 3 rosters side-by-side
- See annual days at work vs days off
- Calculate total take-home pay difference
- Factor in work-life balance metrics
Take-Home Pay Calculator
- Gross salary input
- Automatic tax calculation (2025-26 rates)
- Medicare Levy calculation
- Superannuation deduction (12%)
- Net pay output
Export Capabilities
Currently available:
- Results displayed on screen
- Printable summary
Accuracy & Compliance
ATO Compliance
- Tax rates updated annually from official ATO schedules
- Medicare Levy calculations match ATO specifications
- Tax-free threshold and offsets verified against ATO guidelines
- Last updated: January 2026 for 2025-26 financial year
Superannuation
- Superannuation Guarantee rate: 12% (correct as of 1 July 2025)
- Maximum contribution base: $250,000/year (2025-26)
- Calculations align with ATO super guarantee requirements
Limitations & Disclaimers
- PayByRoster provides estimates for comparison purposes
- Does not replace professional tax advice
- Award interpretations may vary — consult your award or HR department
- Users should verify calculations with their employer or accountant
- Not certified for payroll system integration (Pro API will be audited)
Testing
- Calculations spot-checked against ATO tax calculator
- Verified with real FIFO worker payslips (sample: 50+ workers)
- Regular updates when tax rates change
Integrations
Current Integrations
None (standalone calculator)
Frequently Asked Questions
Technical Specifications
Browser Support
| Browser | Version | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Chrome | 90+ | |
| Firefox | 88+ | |
| Safari | 14+ | |
| Edge | 90+ | |
| Mobile browsers | — |
Technology Stack
- Frontend: React (via Lovable)
- Backend: n8n workflows
- Database: Supabase
- Hosting: Lovable + edge functions
Performance
- Page load: <2 seconds
- Calculation time: <1 second
- Uptime: 99.9% target
Security
- HTTPS encryption
- No personal data stored
- Secure calculation endpoints
- Regular security audits
Support & Contact
Region: Australia
Target Audience: Australian roster-based workers
Response time: 24-48 hours for email inquiries
Community: Educational shorts on roster comparisons coming to YouTube.
Updates & Changelog
January 2026
- Updated tax rates for 2025-26 financial year
- Superannuation increased to 12%
- Removed LMITO (ended June 2024)
- Added emergency services roster patterns
- Mobile responsiveness improvements
Planned Q2 2026
- Pro tier launch
- Excel/CSV/PDF export
- Save favourite rosters
- API access
Last updated: January 30, 2026
Tax year: 2025-26 (1 July 2025 – 30 June 2026)
Super rate: 12%
Source: Australian Taxation Office, Fair Work Commission