Migration
Moving To Australia Salary Guide
Short answer
Compare disposable income, not the headline salary. An Australian offer is reduced by PAYG tax (nil to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000 and 30% to $135,000) and the 2% Medicare levy, lifted by 12% super paid on top, then met by rent of roughly $2,600 a month for a Sydney one-bedroom.
Compare like with like
Check whether the Australian offer is plus or including super, and convert your home salary to AUD. Then compare after-tax income and city costs with the migration comparison.
Cost of living matters most
Rent is the biggest swing factor. A Sydney salary can stretch less than a smaller Brisbane or Adelaide salary. Use the cost of living calculator for your destination city.
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to earn to move?+
Enough to match your current net income after Australian tax and your destination city's costs - the migration tool estimates a minimum.
Is super like a pension?+
It is compulsory employer-funded retirement savings, generally preserved until retirement, at 12%.
Will I pay the Medicare levy?+
Residents generally pay the 2% levy; some new arrivals' entitlements depend on their visa and country agreements.
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.
Related calculators & guides
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