Australian Salary Calculator — Free 2026
Calculate your take-home pay after income tax, Medicare levy, superannuation and HELP/HECS repayment. Updated for the 2025-26 financial year.
How It Works
- Enter your annual salary
- Select your deductions
- Review your take-home pay
Understanding Your Australian Pay: Tax, Super and HELP Explained
Your gross salary is only the starting point. By the time your pay reaches your bank account it has been reduced by income tax, the Medicare levy, and — if you have a student debt — HELP repayments. On top of that, your employer pays 12% superannuation, which does not come out of your take-home pay but is still part of your total remuneration package. This guide walks through each component so you can budget with confidence.
2025-26 Australian Income Tax Rates
Australia's tax system is progressive — each dollar you earn above a threshold is taxed at a higher rate, but only that portion, not your entire income. The 2025-26 brackets are:
| Taxable Income | Rate | Tax on Band |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $18,200 | 0% | $0 |
| $18,201 – $45,000 | 16% | Up to $4,288 |
| $45,001 – $135,000 | 30% | Up to $27,000 |
| $135,001 – $190,000 | 37% | Up to $20,350 |
| $190,001+ | 45% | No cap |
These rates reflect the Stage 3 tax cuts that took effect from 1 July 2024 and continue through 2025-26. A key feature is the Low Income Tax Offset (LITO), which reduces your tax payable by up to $700 if your income is $45,000 or below. The offset phases out at a rate of 5 cents per dollar between $45,001 and $66,667.
Superannuation Guarantee — What Is It?
The Superannuation Guarantee (SG) requires your employer to contribute 12% of your ordinary time earnings into a super fund on your behalf. This is in addition to your salary unless your employment contract says super is included. Super contributions are taxed at just 15% inside the fund — significantly lower than most workers' marginal income tax rate — making it one of Australia's most tax-effective savings vehicles.
When using this calculator, select "On top of salary" if your employer pays 12% super on top of your agreed salary (the most common arrangement). Select "Included in salary" if your package figure already includes super, and the calculator will back-calculate your base salary by dividing by 1.12.
HELP and HECS Debt Repayments
From 2025-26, Australia moved to a marginal HELP repayment system. Previously, your entire income was assessed at the applicable rate. Now, like income tax, you only pay the marginal rate on income above each threshold. Repayments start at 1% on income above $67,000 and rise to 9.5% on income above $150,000. The ATO collects repayments when you lodge your tax return, reducing your HELP debt year by year. Use our dedicated HECS/HELP Calculator for a full repayment schedule.
Medicare Levy
The Medicare Levy is a flat 2% of your taxable income that funds Australia's public health system. Most Australian residents pay this automatically through the PAYG withholding system. You may be exempt if you hold a valid Medicare Levy Exemption Certificate. Higher earners without private hospital cover may also pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) of 1%–1.5% on top — this calculator covers the standard levy only. Explore our dedicated Medicare Levy Calculator for surcharge scenarios.
Why "Included in Salary" vs "On Top" Matters
If an employer advertises a role at "$100,000 package including super", your base salary is approximately $89,286 ($100,000 ÷ 1.12). Your take-home pay is calculated on that lower base, not the full $100,000. If the role is "$100,000 plus 12% super", then $100,000 is your full salary and super is an additional $12,000 the employer pays into your fund. Always clarify this distinction when comparing job offers — it can make a significant difference to your actual take-home pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
For 2025-26, Australian income tax rates are: 0% on the first $18,200, 16% on $18,201–$45,000, 30% on $45,001–$135,000, 37% on $135,001–$190,000, and 45% above $190,000. The Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) can further reduce your tax by up to $700 if you earn under $66,667.
The Superannuation Guarantee (SG) rate for 2025-26 is 12% of your ordinary time earnings. Employers are legally required to pay this on top of your salary into an approved super fund. Super contributions are taxed at 15% inside the fund, which is lower than most employees' marginal tax rate.
From 2025-26, Australia uses a new marginal HELP repayment system. You only repay on income above each threshold bracket, not your total income. Repayments start at 1% on income above $67,000 and rise progressively to 9.5% on income above $150,000. Repayments are collected by the ATO through your tax return and reduce your HELP debt over time.
The Medicare Levy is 2% of your taxable income and funds Australia's public health system. Most Australian residents pay it automatically. You may be exempt if you hold a Medicare Exemption Certificate, or you may pay a higher Medicare Levy Surcharge (1%–1.5%) if you earn above $93,000 and do not hold private hospital cover.
Your total annual tax is the same regardless of pay frequency. Pay frequency only affects how deductions are spread across the year. Weekly, fortnightly, and monthly pays result in identical total annual tax — the ATO calculates withholding based on your annualised income.
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