What's the difference between gross salary and take-home pay?

Your gross salary is what your employer agrees to pay you before anything is deducted. Your take-home pay (net pay) is what actually lands in your bank account after income tax, Medicare levy, and any HECS/HELP repayments are withheld by your employer.

Does this include superannuation?

Yes. By default, this calculator assumes your employer pays 12% super on top of your salary (the Superannuation Guarantee as of 2025-26). You can switch to 'super included' if your employer quotes a total package figure that includes super.

What is the Medicare Levy?

The Medicare Levy is a 2% charge on your taxable income that helps fund Australia's public healthcare system. Almost all Australian residents pay it. It's deducted automatically from your pay alongside income tax.

I have a HECS debt — how does that work?

If you have a HECS-HELP student loan, your repayments are calculated as a percentage of your income and deducted automatically once you earn above $54,435 per year (2025-26 threshold). Toggle the HECS option on to factor this into your result.

What tax year does this calculator use?

This calculator uses the 2025-2026 Australian financial year tax rates as published by the ATO, including the revised Stage 3 tax cuts.

Why does going from $80K to $90K not give me as much extra as I expected?

Because Australia has a progressive tax system. The extra $10,000 is taxed at your marginal rate (32.5% in that range) — not your average rate. So you keep about $6,750 of a $10,000 raise, or roughly $260 extra per fortnight.

What Salary Do I Need? | Australian Salary Calculator 2025

Calculate Your Required Gross Salary

I need this much in my bank account:

About your situation

Do you have a HECS/HELP student debt?

Student loan repayments are deducted automatically once you earn above $54,435/year

How is your super structured?

This makes a big difference. If super is on top, your employer pays 12% extra. If included, your take-home will be lower.

Super paid ON TOP of my salary Super INCLUDED in my total package

Do you claim the tax-free threshold?

Most employees claim this. Only untick if this is a second job.

To take home $5,000/month, you need to earn:

$83,200 per year

$6,933/month before tax | Effective tax rate: 22.4%

Use this number in your next salary negotiation.

Gross salary (annual) $83,200

Income tax −$18,622

Medicare levy −$1,664

Net pay (annual) $60,000

Net pay (monthly) $5,000

Net pay (fortnightly) $2,308

Net pay (weekly) $1,154

Employer super (on top) +$9,984

Total employment cost $93,184

Effective tax rate 22.4%

Hourly rate (38hr week): $42.26/hr

You keep 72.1¢ of every dollar earned

Max recommended rent (30%): $1,500/mo

Estimates based on 2025–26 ATO rates for Australian residents claiming the tax-free threshold. Does not constitute financial advice. For complex situations consult a registered tax agent.

What Salary Do I Need?

Calculate Your Required Gross Salary

About your situation

Common Uses for This Calculator

Going for a job interview?

Asking for a pay rise?

Moving to Sydney or Melbourne?

Returning after parental leave?

Going freelance or contracting?

Just graduated?

Frequently Asked Questions