Your Australian take-home pay equals gross salary minus federal income tax (Stage 3 brackets), Medicare Levy (2%), MLS (1–1.5% for high earners without private cover), and HECS-HELP repayment under the new FY 2025-26 marginal system. Super (12%) is paid separately by your employer. This calculator computes every layer.
Australia has no state income tax — these affect SEO context only.
$
Salary sacrifice (optional)
$
FY 2025-26 concessional cap: $30,000 including SG.
FY 2025-26. Stage 3 cuts in effect. Super Guarantee 12%.
Take-home per fortnight
$0
Annual take-home
$0
Effective tax
0%
Marginal rate
0%
Where each $1 of your base salary goes
Where is your money going?
Line
Annual
Per period
Base salary
$0
$0
Salary sacrifice → super
−$0
−$0
Income tax
−$0
−$0
Medicare Levy (2%)
−$0
−$0
Medicare Levy Surcharge
−$0
−$0
HECS-HELP repayment
−$0
−$0
Take-home pay
$0
$0
+ Super contribution (paid to your fund)
$0
$0
Total package (TPC)
$0
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.
Calculator is provided for estimation only and does not constitute
tax advice. Consult a registered tax agent or the ATO for filing.
Salary across Australian states — what changes
Australia has no state income tax — your federal tax + Medicare +
HECS is identical whether you live in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane,
Perth, or anywhere else. State-level differences that DON'T affect
your paycheck:
State payroll tax — paid by employers above thresholds, not by you
Stamp duty — one-off on property purchase
Land tax — annual on investment property
Workers compensation premiums — employer-paid
What DOES vary by state at the household level: cost of living
(Sydney and Melbourne are the most expensive), median salary, and
housing markets. For take-home pay alone, you can use this
calculator regardless of state.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this Australian paycheck calculator work?
Enter your salary (base or total package), tick whether you have HECS-HELP and private hospital cover, and the calculator returns your take-home pay after federal income tax, Medicare Levy, Medicare Levy Surcharge (if applicable), and HECS-HELP repayment (if applicable). Super is shown separately because it's paid by your employer to your super fund — not deducted from your take-home.
What are the FY 2025-26 tax brackets?
Stage 3 brackets in effect: 0% up to $18,200, 16% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above. The Stage 3 cuts took effect 1 July 2024 and continue unchanged in FY 2025-26.
Should I enter my base salary or total package?
Use the dropdown to specify. Base salary: super (12%) is paid by your employer ON TOP of this number. Total package (TPC): your quoted figure INCLUDES super. The calculator handles both correctly. Check your employment contract — most awards quote base salary; many enterprise agreements and executive packages quote TPC.
How is HECS-HELP calculated for FY 2025-26?
A new marginal system starts in FY {fy}: $0 below $67,000; 15c per $1 on income between $67,001–$125,000; $8,700 + 17c per $1 between $125,001–$179,285; 10% of total income above $179,285. This is a significant change from the previous flat-rate-on-total-income system — most borrowers will pay less.
What is the Medicare Levy Surcharge?
A 1–1.5% surcharge on high earners who don't hold private hospital cover. Singles thresholds for FY {fy}: $101k → 1.0%, $118k → 1.25%, $144k+ → 1.5%. Family thresholds are roughly double. Buying basic private hospital cover (often available for ~$1,500/year) avoids MLS — usually cheaper than the surcharge itself.
What's the difference between salary sacrifice and SG?
SG (Superannuation Guarantee) is the 12% your employer MUST contribute on top of your salary. Salary sacrifice is voluntary — you redirect pre-tax salary into super, reducing your taxable income. Together they're capped at $30,000/year of concessional contributions for FY {fy}. Salary sacrifice saves tax at your marginal rate (often 30-47%) and replaces with 15% contributions tax on the way into super.
How accurate is this calculator?
It uses the published FY {fy} ATO brackets, Medicare rates, MLS thresholds, super rate, and HECS-HELP marginal bands. It does NOT handle: complex deductions (work-related expenses, investment property losses), franking credits, capital gains, or family tax thresholds beyond MLS. For tax return filing, use myTax or a registered tax agent.
Why is take-home pay shown without super?
Super is paid by your employer directly to your super fund — it doesn't hit your bank account. Including it in "take-home" would be misleading. Instead, super is shown as a separate line: "+ Super contribution (paid to your fund)" so you can see the full economic picture without confusing it with cash in hand.