What should I actually charge?
Work out your hourly and project rates based on real Australian and global market data. We'll calculate your floor (don't go below) and target (aim for this) in under 60 seconds.
Quick presets
Customise
What you want to put in your pocket per year (after tax)
30%
Australia: roughly 30% (income tax + super self-contribution)
Software, equipment, insurance, accounting, coworking
40 hrs/week
Including admin, sales, breaks. Be honest.
6 weeks
Holidays + sick + buffer between projects
30% non-billable
Sales calls, admin, marketing, learning. Realistic: 25-40%
Hourly rate
Floor
$145
Don't go below
Target
$203
Aim for this
Premium
$261
Top of market
Project pricing at target rate
Brand identity
~40 hours
$8,120
Website design + build
~80 hours
$16,240
Full product design system
~160 hours
$32,480
Billable hours/yr
1,288
Monthly at target
$21,789
Methodology
Floor rate = (income ÷ post-tax %) + expenses, divided by billable hours.
Target = floor × 1.4 (40% margin for value-based pricing).
Premium = floor × 1.8 (top of market for proven specialists).
The 3-number formula
Target income + tax/super + expenses, divided by billable hours. Simple math most freelancers never do.
($120K + $36K + $12K) ÷ 1,400hr = $120/hr
The 1,400-hour rule
You can't bill 2,080 hours per year. Realistic: 1,200-1,500. The other 30% is sales, admin, holidays, sick days, gaps between projects.
The "value" multiplier
Senior freelancers charge 2-3x their cost-based rate because they also charge for outcomes — not just time. The calculator shows the floor; market rate often runs higher.
Stop competing on price.
Apply to AE Studio. We accept 4% of applicants. Our buyers don't bid — they book your packages at your real rate.