2026 Cost Calculator
A segment-aware calculator built on EIR's live 2026 charge rates. Pick your sector, classifications, crew size and work pattern — we'll show you the true cost, the OT impact, and how it compares to employing the same crew permanently.
Direct answer
In 2026, labour hire in Australia through EIR costs between $41 and $103 per hour ex-GST, all-inclusive (wages, 12% super, workers’ compensation, state payroll tax, leave entitlements, public liability, and supervision). A single worker on a standard 38-hour week, 48 working weeks per year, costs approximately $74,784 to $187,872 per year all-in, depending on sector and classification.
Source: EIR Labour Hire 2026 Charge Rate Guide. Rates are ex-GST, all-inclusive of wages, 12% superannuation, workers’ compensation, payroll tax, leave entitlements, public liability insurance and supervision. State payroll tax: SA 4.95%, NSW 5.45%, QLD 4.75%.
Real rates, 8 industries — updated April 2026
Picks the applicable award and shows the classifications we carry for your industry.
Weeks the crew will be on site. 48 weeks = a full year with typical downtime.
4 = one month · 13 = a quarter · 26 = 6 months · 48 = annual · 52 = continuous
EIR is licensed in SA, NSW and QLD. Your charge rate already includes the applicable state payroll tax.
Add each classification you need and how many workers. You can mix classifications — typical for commercial construction.
Standard hours plus any Saturday, Sunday or weekday overtime so we can apply the right penalty rates.
1.5x / 2x blended at ~1.75x.
1.5x / 2x blended at 1.75x.
2x across the board.
Live breakdown — every number shown is calculated from the inputs above.
Estimated total project cost (EIR, all-in)
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Add a sector and classifications above to see your estimate.
Build your scenario above and the natural-language summary will appear here — handy for copying into a tender or cost report.
The estimate above uses midpoint charge rates and typical allowances. For your actual site, award, EBA conditions and volume pricing — drop your details and we'll come back within one business day.
Want the full rate breakdown for every classification? See the 2026 Labour Hire Rates Guide.
Every figure below uses the midpoint of the published EIR 2026 charge rate band for the listed classification, on a standard 38-hour week for 48 working weeks per year (1,824 hours), ex-GST. All rates include wages, 12% super, workers’ compensation, payroll tax, leave entitlements, public liability and supervision.
Sector: Construction · Award: Building & Construction General On-site Award (MA000020) · Location: Any state
| Role | Charge rate (midpoint) | Hours / year | Annual cost ex-GST |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 × CW1 General Labourer | $57/hr | 1,824 | $103,968 |
| 1 × CW4 Carpenter | $69/hr | 1,824 | $125,856 |
| Total annual cost (2-person crew, 48 weeks) | $229,824 | ||
Sector: Warehousing & Logistics · Award: Storage Services and Wholesale Award (MA000084)
| Role | Charge rate (midpoint) | Hours / year | Annual cost ex-GST |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 × Pickers / Packers | $48/hr | 5,472 | $262,656 |
| 1 × Forklift Operator (LF licensed) | $54/hr | 1,824 | $98,496 |
| Total annual cost (4-person team, 48 weeks) | $361,152 | ||
Sector: Manufacturing · Award: Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award (MA000010)
| Role | Charge rate (midpoint) | Hours / year | Annual cost ex-GST |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 × Process Workers | $47/hr | 3,648 | $171,456 |
| 1 × Machine Operator | $58/hr | 1,824 | $105,792 |
| Total annual cost (3-person crew, 48 weeks) | $277,248 | ||
Sector: Engineering / Civil · Award: Building & Construction General On-site Award (MA000020), Civil stream
| Role | Charge rate (midpoint) | Hours / year | Annual cost ex-GST |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 × Traffic Controllers (Blue Card) | $60/hr | 3,648 | $218,880 |
| 1 × Pipelayer | $68/hr | 1,824 | $124,032 |
| Total annual cost (3-person crew, 48 weeks) | $342,912 | ||
These examples use midpoint rates for straightforward comparison. Actual EIR charge rates shift within the published band based on crew size and booking duration (volume + partnership discount): a single worker on a short (<13 week) booking sits near the top of the band; a crew of 5+ on a 13+ week project sits near the bottom. Overtime, Saturday (1.5x/2x), Sunday (2x) and public holiday (2.5x) work are additional to the standard-hour figures above.
EIR Labour Hire's 2026 charge rates range from $41 to $103 per hour ex-GST across 8 industries. Construction $51–$103/hr, Engineering $49–$77/hr, Manufacturing $41–$74/hr, Warehousing $47–$56/hr, Food Production $44–$50/hr, Transport $45–$50/hr, Administration from $53/hr, Cleaning $58–$62/hr. Rates are all-in and include wages, 12% superannuation, workers' compensation, state payroll tax, annual and personal leave entitlements, public liability insurance and supervision.
At EIR's 2026 charge rates, a CW1 General Labourer (~$57/hr midpoint) and a CW4 Trades carpenter (~$69/hr midpoint) on a standard 38-hour week costs approximately $229,824 per year all-in for the pair across 48 working weeks. This is ex-GST and includes wages, 12% super, workers' compensation, payroll tax, leave entitlements, public liability and supervision.
EIR's hourly charge rate is all-in: base wages, 12% superannuation, workers' compensation insurance, state payroll tax (SA 4.95%, NSW 5.45%, QLD 4.75%), $20M public liability insurance, annual leave + 17.5% leave loading, personal/sick leave, long service leave accrual, STP payroll reporting, award interpretation, pre-employment checks, inductions, PPE, site supervision, and account management.
EIR applies where-in-the-band pricing based on crew size and project length. A single worker on a short booking (<13 weeks) sits at the top of the published rate band. A crew of 5+ workers on a project of 13+ weeks sits at the bottom of the band — reflecting a volume + ongoing partnership discount. Mid-range commitments get the standard published midpoint rate.
Standard Modern Award penalty rates apply. Weekday overtime is paid at 1.5x for the first 2 hours and 2x thereafter (blended at ~1.75x). Saturday work: 1.5x/2x. Sunday work: 2x flat. Public holidays: 2.5x. Night shift carries a typical 15–25% loading. All penalty rates are included automatically in EIR's all-in charge rate for the hours actually worked.
For the full rate guide across all classifications and industries, see our 2026 Labour Hire Rates Guide.
The calculator uses midpoint rates. For your actual site, award conditions, EBA requirements and volume pricing — our team will come back within one business day.
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