ACT - Australian Capital Territory
Canberra Salary Calculator
High median incomes driven by public-sector employment. Work out your Canberra take-home pay and what it leaves after rent and living costs.
Short answer
A $90,000 salary in Canberra leaves about $70,680 take-home a year after PAYG tax and the 2% Medicare levy, with 12% super paid on top. Typical living costs of $3,450 a month, including $2,050 rent for a one-bedroom, leave roughly $2,440 a month spare for a single person.
Salary details - Canberra
Estimated result
Take-home (annual)
$70,680.00
$70,680 per year
Employer super
$10,800
Paid on top into super
Canberra disposable income
Net pay (monthly)
$6,173
Core living costs (monthly)
$3,450
Canberra estimate
Disposable (monthly)
$2,723
Savings rate
44.1%
Of net pay
On $95,000 in Canberra, your estimated disposable income is $2,723 a month after rent, transport, food and utilities. Cost figures are indicative and should be refreshed from current sources for your suburb.
What salary do you need to live in Canberra?
As a rough guide, a single person needs around $56,000 a year to live comfortably in Canberra on these indicative costs (about $3,450/month for rent, transport, food and utilities). Families and inner-city suburbs need more. Use the calculator below with your real rent for a personal figure.
Cost of living in Canberra
Indicative monthly costs: one-bed rent $2,050, family home $3,100, transport $170, food $1,000, utilities $230. Canberra sits at about 86 on our cost index where Sydney = 100.
Canberra take-home pay
Your Canberra pay is taxed the same as anywhere in Australia - income tax is federal, so there is no separate ACT income tax. What changes between cities is the cost of living, especially rent. Compare with the cost of living calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is income tax different in Canberra?+
No. Income tax in Australia is federal, so your tax in Canberra is the same as elsewhere. Only employer payroll tax differs by state, and that does not affect your take-home pay.
How much rent should I budget in Canberra?+
Indicatively about $2,050/month for a one-bedroom and $3,100/month for a family home, but this varies sharply by suburb. Check current listings.
Will I be better off moving to Canberra?+
Use the cost of living and migration tools to compare disposable income, not just salary. High salaries, but rents and childcare costs are significant.
Sources & methodology
- ATO - Personal income tax: new tax cuts (15% rate from 1 July 2026)
- Income Tax Rates Act 1986 (legislation.gov.au)
- ATO - Study and training loan repayment thresholds and rates
- ATO - Super guarantee
- ATO - Contribution caps
- ATO - Payday Super and the annual maximum contribution base
- ATO - Medicare levy
- ATO - Medicare levy surcharge income thresholds and rates
- Fair Work Ombudsman - Pay slips
- How we calculate these estimates
Last updated 13 August 2026. Figures use the 2026-27 financial year.