Methodology
How we calculate Australian income tax, Medicare levy, HECS/HELP, and superannuation for 2026-27.
All rates, thresholds, and offsets below are sourced from the ATO and Australian Treasury as legislated for the 2026-27 financial year (1 July 2026 – 30 June 2027). Estimated figures are clearly marked.
Primary sources
Calculation steps
Step 1 — Taxable income
Taxable income = Gross salary − Work deductions − Salary sacrifice
Salary sacrifice reduces both taxable income and the gross salary base from which super is calculated (salary sacrifice contributions go into super separately).
Step 2 — Income tax (before offsets)
Australian residents (2026-27):
Non-residents (2026-27):
Working holiday makers (visa 417 & 462):
Step 3 — Low Income Tax Offset (LITO)
Applies to Australian residents only. Not available to non-residents or working holiday makers.
Net income tax = max(0, income tax − LITO)
Step 4 — Medicare Levy
Applies to Australian residents only. Working holiday makers and non-residents do not pay the Medicare Levy.
Shade-in thresholds are 2026-27 estimates. The Medicare Levy Surcharge (1–1.5%) applies separately to residents earning above $105,000 without private hospital cover.
Step 5 — HECS/HELP repayment
HECS/HELP repayment is calculated as a percentage of your total repayment income (not marginal). The applicable rate is determined by which threshold band your income falls into. The repayment amount is:
HECS repayment = repayment income × applicable rate
⚠ The 2026-27 HECS repayment thresholds are estimates indexed from 2024-25 ATO published figures by CPI. We will update these when the ATO confirms final 2026-27 figures.
Step 6 — Employer superannuation
The Superannuation Guarantee rate is 12% from 1 July 2025, applying to ordinary time earnings.
Employer super = gross salary × 12%
Salary sacrifice amounts are shown as additional super contributions (not included in the employer super calculation, but shown in total super).
Step 7 — Take-home pay
Take-home pay = Gross salary − Net income tax − Medicare Levy − MLS − HECS repayment − Salary sacrifice
Super is paid on top of salary and is not deducted from take-home pay.
What changed for 2026-27
The most significant change for 2026-27 is the Stage 3 tax cuts, which came into effect from 1 July 2026:
- The 19% resident rate on income $18,201–$45,000 was reduced to 15%.
- Working holiday makers also benefit: the upper bracket above $45,000 was reduced from 32.5% to 30%.
- The Superannuation Guarantee reached 12% (up from 11.5% in 2024-25).