How progressive tax really works — with real $60,000, $100,000 and $150,000 worked examples showing exactly where each dollar goes, why your effective rate is always lower than your marginal rate, and what LITO, Medicare Levy and Super mean for your take-home pay.
Australia uses a progressive income tax system administered by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). The 2025–26 income tax brackets — applying from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026 — are as follows:
| Taxable Income | Tax Rate | Tax on This Band |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $18,200 | 0% | Nil |
| $18,201 – $45,000 | 19% | 19c for each $1 over $18,200 |
| $45,001 – $135,000 | 32.5% | $5,092 + 32.5c for each $1 over $45,000 |
| $135,001 – $190,000 | 37% | $29,842 + 37c for each $1 over $135,000 |
| $190,001 and over | 45% | $50,224 + 45c for each $1 over $190,000 |
These rates apply to Australian tax residents. The tax-free threshold of $18,200 means the first $18,200 of income is entirely tax-free for residents who have claimed the threshold. Non-residents do not receive this threshold and are taxed from the first dollar at 32.5%.
Source: These rates are published by the Australian Taxation Office at ato.gov.au. NewFinera presents them for general educational purposes only. Your actual tax liability depends on your individual circumstances. Always verify with the ATO or a registered tax agent.
This is the most misunderstood concept in Australian personal tax — and understanding it changes how you evaluate every financial decision.
Many people believe: "If I earn $100,000, I'm in the 32.5% tax bracket, so I pay 32.5% on all my income." This is completely wrong — and believing it leads to poor financial decisions.
Your marginal rate — the rate on your highest dollar of income — only applies to income within that band. Every dollar below that threshold is taxed at the lower applicable rate.
On a $100,000 salary:
Key concept: Your marginal rate is the rate on your next dollar earned. Your effective rate is what you actually pay across your whole income. These are always different in progressive systems — and the effective rate is always lower.
Understanding the difference matters when evaluating salary sacrificing, overtime, bonuses, investment income, and rental income. The question isn't "what's my tax rate?" but "what rate will apply to this additional income?" — which is your marginal rate, not your effective rate.
The Low Income Tax Offset reduces the amount of tax you pay if you earn below $66,667. It is applied after calculating your base tax and directly reduces your tax payable — it is not a deduction from income.
| Taxable Income | LITO Offset Amount |
|---|---|
| $0 – $37,500 | $700 (maximum offset) |
| $37,501 – $45,000 | $700 reduced by 5c per $1 over $37,500 |
| $45,001 – $66,667 | $325 reduced by 1.5c per $1 over $45,000 |
| $66,668 and above | Nil |
At its maximum of $700, the LITO effectively raises the tax-free threshold from $18,200 to approximately $21,884. This means the effective tax-free threshold for someone receiving the full LITO is higher than the legislated threshold.
The Medicare Levy is a 2% charge on taxable income that helps fund Australia's public health system. It applies in addition to income tax — it is not included in the bracket rates above.
The Medicare Levy Surcharge is an additional 1–1.5% tax applying to higher income earners who do not hold appropriate private hospital cover. The threshold is $93,000 for singles in 2025–26. For someone earning $100,000 without private hospital cover, the MLS adds $1,000 to their annual tax bill — often making private health insurance economically sensible.
The Super Guarantee (SG) is a compulsory employer contribution to your superannuation account. The rate for 2025–26 is 12% of ordinary time earnings. It is paid by your employer on top of your salary — not deducted from it.
Example: On a $100,000 salary, your employer must pay an additional $12,000 into your nominated superannuation fund. Your gross salary package is effectively $112,000 — but your tax is calculated only on the $100,000 salary component. The super is taxed separately at a concessional rate of 15% within the fund.
The following are general educational estimates based on publicly published ATO rates for 2025–26. Individual circumstances vary — these are not personalised tax calculations.
Understanding how Australian tax brackets work opens up several general educational concepts that people often research. These are not personalised recommendations — always consult a registered tax agent or financial adviser for advice specific to your situation.
Concessional (pre-tax) contributions to superannuation — including salary sacrifice — are taxed at 15% within the fund, rather than at your marginal income tax rate. For someone in the 32.5% bracket, this represents a potential 17.5 percentage point difference. The annual concessional contributions cap for 2025–26 is $30,000 (including the employer SG contribution).
For taxpayers with variable income — freelancers, small business owners, commission earners — understanding which financial year income falls into can affect which bracket applies. Similarly, prepaying deductible expenses before 30 June can shift deductions into the current year. These are general concepts — tax timing decisions require professional advice.
Investment income is added to your other income and taxed at your marginal rate. Capital gains on assets held 12+ months qualify for the 50% CGT discount — meaning only half the gain is added to income. Investments held in superannuation are taxed at 15% on income and 10% on capital gains (or 0% in pension phase). These structures have complex rules and eligibility conditions — consult a licensed professional.
The legislated tax-free threshold is $18,200. With the maximum Low Income Tax Offset of $700, the effective tax-free threshold rises to approximately $21,884 for eligible residents who have claimed the threshold on their tax file number declaration.
No. Australia uses a progressive tax system. On $100,000 you pay 0% on the first $18,200, 19% on $18,201–$45,000, and 32.5% only on $45,001–$100,000. Your effective tax rate is approximately 23% — not 32.5%.
The Stage 3 tax cuts, which took effect from 1 July 2024, restructured Australian income tax brackets. Key changes included: reducing the 32.5% rate to 30% was abandoned (the 32.5% rate was retained), the threshold for the 37% rate moved from $120,000 to $135,000, and the threshold for 45% moved to $190,000. The changes provided the most benefit to those earning $135,000–$190,000.
Your employer's Super Guarantee contributions are not included in your taxable salary income — they are contributions made by your employer in addition to your salary and are taxed separately within your superannuation fund at 15%. Voluntary concessional (pre-tax) contributions you make via salary sacrifice do reduce your taxable income.
The Low Income Tax Offset is automatically applied by the ATO when you lodge your tax return. It is available to Australian tax residents with taxable income below $66,667. It phases out between $37,500 and $66,667. You do not need to apply for it separately.