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Calculate your take-home pay in the ACT. Canberra has Australia's highest average salaries — see how federal tax rates apply to your ACT income.
This Australian tax calculator converts your gross annual salary into after-tax income using FY2025-26 federal tax rates, the 2% Medicare levy, and optional HECS-HELP repayments.
Personal income tax in the ACT is identical to every other state and territory. The ATO sets one national schedule of income tax brackets that applies whether you work in Canberra, Sydney, or Darwin. The ACT pay calculator applies those brackets to your gross salary, subtracts the Medicare levy and any applicable "Medicare Levy Surcharge," then displays your take-home pay on an annual, monthly, and fortnightly basis.
Superannuation of 12% (the SG rate for FY2025-26) is shown separately because your employer pays it on top of your gross salary. Use our Superannuation Calculator to model concessional contributions and salary sacrifice scenarios.
The average full-time salary in the ACT is $105,000 per year, the highest of any state or territory and approximately 7% above the national average of $98,000.
Canberra's salary premium is driven by the concentration of Australian Public Service (APS) roles, which make up roughly 30% of all employment in the territory. APS positions offer structured pay scales, guaranteed annual increments, and superannuation contributions of 15.4% under the PSSap scheme — significantly above the standard 12% SG rate. The defence, higher education, and cybersecurity sectors further elevate ACT earnings.
| Industry | Avg. Salary (ACT) | National Avg. |
|---|---|---|
| Public Administration & Safety | $115,000 | $92,000 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical | $120,000 | $105,000 |
| Information & Communications Technology | $118,000 | $110,000 |
| Defence & National Security | $112,000 | $95,000 |
| Education & Training | $98,000 | $88,000 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $95,000 | $85,000 |
| Construction | $92,000 | $88,000 |
| Retail Trade | $58,000 | $55,000 |
Source: ABS Average Weekly Earnings and APS Remuneration Reports. Figures are rounded full-time annual equivalents.
A Canberra employee earning $100,000 per year pays $22,967 in federal income tax plus $2,000 in Medicare levy for FY2025-26, leaving take-home pay of $75,033.
The calculation uses the same FY2025-26 income tax brackets that apply in every state. Here is the step-by-step breakdown for a $100,000 gross salary with no HECS-HELP debt and private health insurance:
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $100,000 |
| Tax on $18,201 – $45,000 (16%) | -$4,288 |
| Tax on $45,001 – $100,000 (30%) | -$16,500 |
| Gross Tax | -$20,788 |
| LITO Offset | +$0 |
| Net Income Tax | -$22,967 |
| Medicare Levy (2%) | -$2,000 |
| Take-Home Pay | $75,033 |
| Effective Tax Rate | 24.97% |
| Super (12%, employer-paid) | +$12,000 |
Employees without private health insurance who earn above $93,000 (singles) also pay the "Medicare Levy Surcharge" of 1–1.5%, increasing total deductions. Use the Income Tax Calculator to model different salary levels.
ACT payroll tax is 6.85% on taxable wages above a $2,000,000 annual threshold, paid exclusively by employers and administered by the ACT Revenue Office.
The ACT threshold is the highest in Australia, exempting the majority of small and medium businesses. Payroll tax does not reduce your take-home pay — it is an employer-only obligation. However, larger employers factor payroll tax into total employment costs, which indirectly influences salary budgets and hiring capacity.
| State / Territory | Rate | Annual Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| ACT | 6.85% | $2,000,000 |
| NSW | 5.45% | $1,200,000 |
| VIC | 4.85% | $900,000 |
| QLD | 4.75% | $1,300,000 |
| WA | 5.50% | $1,000,000 |
| SA | 4.95% | $1,500,000 |
| TAS | 4.00% | $1,250,000 |
| NT | 5.50% | $1,500,000 |
The ACT's $2 million threshold means a business with a total annual wage bill under that amount pays zero payroll tax. In contrast, a Victorian employer exceeding $900,000 in wages already triggers liability at 4.85%.
Canberra's cost of living is 8–12% lower than Sydney across housing, groceries, and transport, making the ACT's higher salaries stretch further in real purchasing power.
Median rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Canberra's inner suburbs (Braddon, Kingston, Barton) sits at approximately $550 per week, compared to $680 per week in inner Sydney. Mortgage repayments reflect a median house price of around $870,000 in Canberra versus $1,150,000 in Sydney. Grocery and utility costs are comparable, though Canberra's electricity prices trend 5–8% lower due to the ACT's 100% renewable electricity supply target.
| Category | Canberra | Sydney |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. Full-Time Salary | $105,000 | $98,000 |
| Median House Price | $870,000 | $1,150,000 |
| 2-Bed Apartment Rent (pw) | $550 | $680 |
| Monthly Public Transport | $120 | $200 |
| Weekly Groceries (2 adults) | $220 | $240 |
| Childcare (daily) | $130 | $150 |
Many ACT workers live across the border in Queanbeyan, Yass, and Bungendore in New South Wales. Median house prices in Queanbeyan average $750,000, roughly 14% below Canberra. Yass and Murrumbateman offer prices closer to $650,000. Cross-border employees pay the same federal income tax rates regardless of which side they live on, but stamp duty on property purchases follows NSW rates (which differ from ACT rates). Use our Pay Calculator NSW to compare net pay scenarios for employees based in surrounding regions.
The Australian Public Service (APS) is the ACT's largest employer, with approximately 95,000 federal public servants based in Canberra across departments including Defence, Home Affairs, and Services Australia.
The dominance of government and institutional employment means ACT salaries are less volatile during economic downturns compared to mining-dependent states like WA or QLD. For employees considering salary sacrifice arrangements common in the public sector, use the Salary Sacrifice Calculator to model the net pay impact.
ACT residents access several territory-specific concessions that reduce living costs, including stamp duty abolition, energy rebates, and first home buyer grants worth up to $7,000.
The ACT does not impose land tax on owner-occupied properties. Investment property owners pay land tax based on the "Average Unimproved Value" of the land, with marginal rates ranging from 0.54% to 1.12%.
This calculator uses FY2025-26 federal tax brackets. ACT data sourced from ACT Revenue Office and ABS.
Last verified: 14 March 2026. Our content is based on the latest information from official Australian government sources.