2025/2026 Australian Payroll Calculator

Want a clear map of what actually lands in your bank? This short guide breaks down the six key figures that explain pay: the total cost to the employer, Taxable Income, take‑home amount, PAYG withholding, superannuation and Medicare.

You’ll see simple steps to read a payslip and check essential information each pay period. We explain how the pay cycle (weekly, fortnightly or monthly) affects timing, and why employer contributions to super can be paid on top of salary or bundled into a package.

We also flag common adjustments — HELP repayments, the tax‑free threshold, ATO brackets and the Medicare levy — so taxes look less like a puzzle. If something on a payslip seems off, the guide shows quick checks and next steps.

Need help running the numbers or negotiating a company offer? Kingsman Accountants can run the figures with you and clarify the true money value of any role.

Key Takeaways

• See exactly how much you get as take‑home pay versus amounts deducted for taxes, Medicare and superannuation.
• Learn how the employer’s total cost differs from the salary you read in an offer.
• Know which payslip details to check every pay day to spot errors fast.
• Understand how pay cycles change timing but not annual pay.
• Find simple steps to estimate net pay and compare it with what lands in your account.
• If you need personalised help, Kingsman Accountants can assist with calculations and advice.

Understand where your payroll goes: What your payslip is telling you

A clear payslip shows each move of money so you can spot totals, deductions and entitlements fast.

Quick glossary

Gross pay is the total before deductions. Net pay is what you’re paid into your account.

Pay period sets the dates the slips cover and the pay cycle decides how often you’re paid. Overtime and leave often appear as hours and amounts.

What must be on a payslip

Employers must supply a payslip within one working day of pay day. It must show your name, the employer name and ABN (if applicable), the pay period and the payment date.

Also include gross and net pay, loadings, allowances, deductions (with amount and destination number), and any super contributions and super fund details.

Why cycle and super affect take‑home pay

If super is paid on top, you see more cash each period. If super is bundled into a salary, less arrives in your bank. Your contract or company policy explains the split.

“Keep payslips together, note dates and raise any mismatch with payroll quickly.”

How to read your payslip and calculate each amount step by step

Follow these clear steps to break down each line on a payslip and turn figures into plain numbers.

Total cost to the employer

Step 1: Add the annual salary and the super guarantee if super is paid on top. If the contract bundles super inside the package, the employer cost equals the package and your cash is lower by the contributions.

Taxable income

Step 2: Take gross pay for the pay period and subtract pre-tax items such as salary-sacrifice super to find the taxable base. This is the amount used for taxes.

PAYG, Medicare and HELP

Step 3: Estimate PAYG withholding using ATO brackets and confirm your tax-free threshold setting with your primary employer.

Step 4: Include the Medicare levy and note any Medicare Levy Surcharge or HELP repayments that raise the amount taken from annual income.

Super and take‑home pay

Step 5: Check super contributions land in your fund portal and confirm the super guarantee rate applied to ordinary hours.

Step 6: Net pay = gross pay minus PAYG, Medicare, HELP and other deductions. Divide annual net by your pay cycle (weekly, fortnightly, monthly) to estimate the take-home amount each period.

1. Reconcile hours, rate and period dates to spot overtime or allowance errors.
2. Watch amounts across the year as brackets and thresholds can change.
3. Ask payroll or Kingsman Accountants for a quick double-check if numbers don’t match.

Smart checks to make sure you’re paid right in Australia

Quick checks help you confirm money listed on a payslip has actually been paid into the right accounts.

Cross‑check your payslip with your super fund and keep records of hours and pay slips

Log into your super fund account and confirm the contribution name, amount and contribution date match the payslip entry. Super shown on a slip may not be super paid yet, so check the fund portal.

Keep a running record of hours and overtime. Match those records to the payslip period and dates to spot underpayments or missing entitlements fast.

If something’s missing or wrong: talk to your employer, then contact the Fair Work Ombudsman

Check that each deduction lists clear details, including fund or account number and employer name. If figures differ, raise the issue in writing and note the date you reported it.

“Give the employer reasonable time (for example seven days) to fix admin errors before escalating.”

• If unresolved, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman who can investigate.
• Keep copies of slips, emails and fund screenshots to support any claim.
• For complex cases, Kingsman Accountants can help organise the evidence and next steps.

Conclusion

This wrap-up makes the six key figures clear so you can check each payslip line with confidence.

Start at gross pay, apply deductions for PAYG tax and Medicare, then subtract super contributions to find the net take home amount for the pay period.

Keep a short checklist each period: confirm dates, hours and rate, the employer name and that the net amount money shown matches what hit your account.

Superannuation settings matter—check whether the super guarantee is on top of salary or bundled in. Also verify super contributions reach your fund at least quarterly.

If totals, long service leave or entitlements look wrong, follow the step-by-step checks and raise it early. For tailored help, please get in touch with Kingsman Accountants to double‑check figures and tidy records.