Tax
Why Did My Take-Home Pay Change?
Short answer
Take-home pay moves when your income crosses a bracket at $45,000, $135,000 or $190,000, you receive a bonus or overtime, you start or finish HELP/STSL repayments at $69,528, your tax-free threshold claim changes, salary sacrifice begins, or rates change on 1 July. The resident rate fell to 15% for 2026-27.
One-off vs ongoing changes
A bonus or extra hours changes a single pay. A pay rise that crosses a bracket, starting HELP/STSL, or a new salary-sacrifice arrangement changes your ongoing pay. The financial year change on 1 July can also shift rates.
Track it down
Compare two payslips line by line - tax, Medicare, HELP/STSL, super and deductions - to see what moved. The payslip calculator can reproduce the expected figures.
Frequently asked questions
Why did my pay drop after a raise?+
You may have started HELP/STSL repayments or crossed into a higher bracket - only the extra income is taxed at the higher rate.
Did super change my pay?+
Starting salary sacrifice reduces cash pay; a change to including-super arrangements also lowers it.
Do rates change on 1 July?+
Often yes - thresholds, super and HELP figures can change at the start of the financial year.
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
Try the Payslip Calculator
Put these numbers into a calculator and see your own result.