Northern Territory paycheck quick facts
| Northern Territory state income tax | 0% (Australia has no state income tax) |
|---|---|
| Federal income tax | 0% – 45% (FY 2025-26 Stage 3 brackets) |
| Medicare Levy | 2% of taxable income |
| Medicare Levy Surcharge | 1–1.5% for high earners without private cover |
| Superannuation Guarantee | 12% paid by employer on top of salary |
| HECS-HELP (FY 2025-26) | Marginal: 15% / 17% / 10% above $67,000 threshold |
| GST | 10% flat (federal, applies everywhere in Australia) |
About Darwin and Northern Territory
The Northern Territory has Australia's smallest jurisdictional economy but offers a unique remote-area lifestyle. Mining, defence, and tourism are key industries. Many roles in remote areas come with substantial remote-area allowances.
What about Northern Territory state-level taxes?
- Payroll tax: NT payroll tax is 5.5% above $1.5M annual wages.
- Stamp duty: NT stamp duty rates are lower than most other jurisdictions. First-home buyer concessions and rebates available.
- Land tax: applies to investment property holdings above the state threshold.
None of these affect your fortnightly paycheck.
Australian income tax (FY 2025-26)
Australia has a single national income tax — no state income tax. Stage 3 cuts have been in effect since 1 July 2024 and continue through FY 2025-26. The system is progressive with a tax-free threshold of $18,200.
| Taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 – $18,200 | 0% (tax-free) |
| $18,201 – $45,000 | 16% |
| $45,001 – $135,000 | 30% |
| $135,001 – $190,000 | 37% |
| $190,001+ | 45% |
Australia has no joint filing — each spouse files their own return. A Low Income Tax Offset of up to $700 reduces tax for incomes under $66,667.
Medicare Levy + Medicare Levy Surcharge
The Medicare Levy is a flat 2% of taxable income for most residents (with a low-income exemption around $27,000). On top of that, the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) applies to higher earners who don't hold private hospital cover:
- Singles $101,001–$118,000: 1.0%
- Singles $118,001–$144,000: 1.25%
- Singles $144,001+: 1.5%
- Family thresholds: roughly double the single thresholds, plus $1,500 per dependent after the first
Superannuation Guarantee (12%)
Employers must contribute 12% of your ordinary time earnings to your super fund (FY 2025-26 is the first year at 12% — the final step of the legislated increase). Super sits on top of your salary in most awards — though some employment contracts quote a "total package" that bundles super into the headline number.
You can voluntarily redirect pre-tax salary into super via salary sacrifice. Sacrificed amounts reduce your taxable income — saving tax at your marginal rate. The annual concessional cap for FY 2025-26 is $30,000 (including the SG).
HECS-HELP — new marginal system (from 1 July 2025)
HECS-HELP repayments switched to a marginal system starting FY 2025-26. Previously the entire income was taxed at a single bracket rate; now repayments apply only to the portion above the threshold, with cascading rates:
| Repayment income | Repayment |
|---|---|
| $0 – $67,000 | $0 |
| $67,001 – $125,000 | 15c per $1 over $67,000 |
| $125,001 – $179,285 | $8,700 + 17c per $1 over $125,000 |
| $179,286+ | 10% of total repayment income |
This change saves most borrowers money — particularly those who were just over the previous $54,435 threshold.
Sources
- ATO — Resident individual tax rates
- ATO — Study and training loan repayment thresholds
- ATO — Medicare Levy Surcharge thresholds
- Dept of Education — HECS marginal repayment reform
Calculator is provided for estimation only and does not constitute tax advice. Consult a registered tax agent or the ATO for filing.
Related tools
- Australia Paycheck Calculator — same engine, with state picker
- Australia Income Tax Calculator — annual estimate
- HECS-HELP Calculator — repayment details
- GST Calculator — 10% Australian GST