How it works
The calculator follows PAYG withholding, the system your employer uses to take tax from your pay and send it to the ATO. It starts from your gross pay, takes off any salary sacrifice, and works out the amounts your employer withholds for the pay period using the ATO's statement of formulas for the 2026–27 income year.
Tax withheld depends first on your residency for tax purposes. Australian residents pay no tax on the first $18,200 of income a year when they claim the tax-free threshold, and the resident rates run from 15% to 45% above $190,000, with the full set of rates and thresholds (0% up to $18,200; 15% $18,201–$45,000; 30% $45,001–$135,000; 37% $135,001–$190,000; 45% above $190,000) taken from the ATO tax tables 2026–27 (Schedule 1 – Statement of formulas for calculating amounts to be withheld). Foreign residents have no tax-free threshold and are taxed at foreign resident rates (30% up to $135,000; 37% $135,001–$190,000; 45% above $190,000). Working holiday makers are taxed at separate working holiday maker rates; the calculator does not include them yet, because the 2026–27 ATO schedule for them has not been confirmed. If you do not claim the tax-free threshold, tax is withheld from the first dollar you earn, which is how a second job is usually taxed.
On a real payslip the Medicare levy is part of the single tax withheld figure. This calculator shows it on its own line so you can see it. The levy is 2% of taxable income, reduced for people on low incomes below $28,011, and it can be halved or removed for people who qualify for an exemption (ATO Medicare levy). The Medicare levy surcharge, which applies to some people without private hospital cover, is not withheld from pay and is not included here; it is worked out on your tax return.
If you have a study or training support loan, your employer withholds an extra amount once your repayment income is above the minimum repayment threshold. The amount depends on your income and is worked out using the ATO study and training loan repayment thresholds and rates for 2026–27 (none on weekly earnings under $1,337; $1,337 to under $2,494: 15% of weekly earnings less $200.56; $2,494 to under $3,577: 17% of weekly earnings less $250.45; from $3,577: 10% of weekly earnings (weekly component with the tax-free threshold, Schedule 8)). The compulsory repayment for the year is finalised when you lodge your tax return, so the amount withheld is an estimate of it.
Super guarantee is paid by your employer into your super fund at 12% of your ordinary time earnings (ATO, super guarantee percentage 2026–27). It is not taken from your pay, so it does not lower take-home pay; the calculator shows it so you can check it against your payslip. When your pay is a package that includes super, the calculator takes the super guarantee out of the package first to find your salary. Salary sacrifice to super is taken from your pay before tax, which lowers tax withheld; salary sacrifice and your employer's contributions both count towards the yearly concessional contributions cap (ATO, super contribution caps 2026–27).
The calculator treats your pay as the same in every pay period of the income year. Tax withheld is an estimate of your tax for the year, and the final amount is settled when you lodge your tax return: offsets you are entitled to, deductions for work expenses, other income and the Medicare levy surcharge can all change what you owe or get back. Not included: the Medicare levy surcharge, private health insurance rebate adjustments, Division 293 tax on super contributions for high incomes, tax on bonuses paid as a lump sum, and income other than wages.
Worked example
Take an Australian resident on $85,000 a year plus super, paid fortnightly, claiming the tax-free threshold, with no salary sacrifice and no HELP debt. Tax withheld is $682.00 a fortnight, of which the Medicare levy is $64.00, leaving take-home pay of $2,587.23 a fortnight, $5,605.33 a month or $67,267.98 a year (ATO tax tables 2026–27). On top of that, the employer pays $10,200.00 a year into super at 12%. Adding a HELP debt adds a repayment of $90.00 a fortnight and lowers take-home pay to $2,497.23. Working holiday maker rates are not included yet, so choosing that residency shows no figure.
Frequently asked questions
How much is $100,000 after tax in Australia?
Enter 100,000 per year in the calculator to see it for your own situation. For an Australian resident claiming the tax-free threshold, with no HELP debt, take-home pay in 2026–27 is $77,431.90 a year, $2,978.15 a fortnight or $1,489.08 a week, with super paid on top (ATO tax tables 2026–27).
Should I claim the tax-free threshold?
This site does not give advice. The ATO's rule is that the threshold is usually claimed from one employer at a time; when it is not claimed, tax is withheld from the first dollar, which is why a second job often shows more tax withheld.
Does the pay calculator change by state?
No. Income tax, the Medicare levy and HELP repayments are set federally, so the same pay gives the same take-home pay in every state and territory. What differs by state is award and minimum pay rates, which are set by the Fair Work Commission, not by the tax system.
Is super taken out of my pay?
Super guarantee is paid by your employer on top of your pay, at 12% of ordinary time earnings, unless your contract is a package that includes super (ATO, super guarantee percentage 2026–27). Salary sacrifice to super is the only super amount taken from your pay, and it is taken before tax.
How much HELP will come out of my pay?
Once your repayment income for the year is above the minimum repayment threshold, your employer withholds an extra amount each pay, based on the ATO study and training loan repayment thresholds for 2026–27. The calculator shows it on the HELP repayment line.
Why is my tax withheld different from my tax return?
Withholding spreads an estimate of your yearly tax across each pay. Your return adds up your actual income, deductions and offsets for the year, so you may get a refund or owe a balance.