Australia vs New Zealand: Taxes & Take-Home Pay 2026
On a $100,000 salary you keep $74,136 in Australia and $71,142 in New Zealand — $2,993 more per year in Australia ($249 a month). Single filer, standard deductions.
Updated 2026-10-03 · International figures converted at the exchange rate noted in sources; salaries entered in US dollars. Excludes retirement, health and cost-of-living differences.
Take-home pay at every salary
| Gross salary | Australia | New Zealand | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $33,778 (15.6% tax) | $31,666 (20.8% tax) | $2,112 |
| $60,000 | $47,378 (21.0% tax) | $44,831 (25.3% tax) | $2,547 |
| $75,000 | $57,578 (23.2% tax) | $54,618 (27.2% tax) | $2,960 |
| $100,000 | $74,136 (25.9% tax) | $71,142 (28.9% tax) | $2,993 |
| $150,000 | $103,183 (31.2% tax) | $101,703 (32.2% tax) | $1,479 |
| $250,000 | $156,183 (37.5% tax) | $162,703 (34.9% tax) | -$6,521 |
- Australia total tax rate
- New Zealand total tax rate
Where the money goes at $100,000
- Australia
- New Zealand
About taxes in Australia
- For 2026-27 (1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027) Australian residents pay nil on the first $18,200, 15% from $18,201 to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000 and 45% above.
- The rate on income between $18,201 and $45,000 fell from 16% to 15% on 1 July 2026 and is scheduled to fall to 14% from 1 July 2027.
- A resident earning $190,000 pays $51,370 in income tax before the Medicare levy and offsets.
- The Medicare levy is 2% of taxable income; low-income earners get a reduction (for 2025-26, singles below $35,013), which is not modelled here.
- The Medicare levy surcharge (1% to 1.5% for higher earners without private hospital cover), tax offsets and HELP repayments are not modelled.
About taxes in New Zealand
- New Zealand has no tax-free allowance: income tax starts at 10.5% on the first $15,600, then 17.5% to $53,500, 30% to $78,100, 33% to $180,000 and 39% above.
- These thresholds have applied since 1 April 2025 and are unchanged for the 2026/27 tax year (1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027).
- The ACC earners' levy for 2026/27 is $1.75 per $100 (1.75%) on earnings up to $156,641, a maximum of $2,741.22 (up from 1.67% in 2025/26).
- KiwiSaver contributions are voluntary for employees and are not deducted here.
- Tax credits such as the independent earner tax credit and Working for Families, and student loan repayments, are not modelled.
Salary needed to keep the same take-home
If you move between Australia and New Zealand, this is the gross salary (in US dollars) that leaves the same take-home pay after income tax and employee contributions.
| Salary in Australia | Take-home | Same take-home in New Zealand needs | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $40,578 | $53,483 | +$3,483 (7.0%) |
| $75,000 | $57,578 | $79,536 | +$4,536 (6.0%) |
| $100,000 | $74,136 | $104,807 | +$4,807 (4.8%) |
| $150,000 | $103,183 | $152,425 | +$2,425 (1.6%) |
Tax on your next $1,000
The marginal rate — the share of a raise that goes to tax and contributions — often matters more than the average rate.
| Salary | Australia | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | 32.0% | 31.8% |
| $75,000 | 32.0% | 34.7% |
| $100,000 | 39.0% | 33.0% |
| $150,000 | 47.0% | 39.0% |
| $250,000 | 47.0% | 39.0% |
What employers pay on top
Employer payroll and social contributions are not deducted from your pay, but they affect what employers can afford to offer.
Australia
- Superannuation guarantee: 12.00% — 12% of qualifying earnings in 2026-27, paid on each payday under Payday Super from 1 July 2026, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830 a year.
New Zealand
- KiwiSaver employer contribution: 3.50% — Compulsory minimum of 3.5% of gross pay for employees who are KiwiSaver members (from 1 April 2026); employer superannuation contribution tax (ESCT) is deducted from it.
Typical pay and minimum wage
| Australia | New Zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Median earnings | 1,425 AUD ($989) — median weekly earnings in main job, all employees (ABS Employee Earnings), August 2025 | 1,419 NZD ($796) — median weekly earnings from wages and salaries (Stats NZ Household Labour Force Survey), June 2026 quarter |
| Minimum wage | 26.44 AUD/hour ($18.35), from 1 July 2026 (National Minimum Wage) | 23.95 NZD/hour ($13.44), from 1 April 2026 (adult minimum wage) |
How the two tax systems differ
| Australia | New Zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax year | 1 July 2026 – 30 June 2027 | 1 April 2026 – 31 March 2027 |
| Filing a tax return | Employees have PAYG tax withheld from each pay but most still lodge an annual tax return after 30 June. | Inland Revenue automatically assesses people whose only income is salary, wages or already-taxed interest, so most employees never file a return. |
| Consumption tax | GST 10%. A broad-based 10% tax; some items, such as basic food, are GST-free. | GST 15%. A single 15% rate on most goods and services, including food. |
| Retirement | Employers must pay the 12% superannuation guarantee into the employee’s super fund on top of wages; employees are not required to contribute but can add salary-sacrifice or personal contributions. | KiwiSaver is voluntary but new employees are automatically enrolled and can opt out; members contribute at least 3.5% of gross pay (4%, 6%, 8% or 10% are also available) and the employer adds at least 3.5%. |
| Healthcare | Medicare is funded from general revenue and the 2% Medicare levy on taxable income; higher earners without private hospital cover may also pay the Medicare levy surcharge of 1% to 1.5%. | Public health care is funded from general taxation with no health levy on pay; accident injuries are covered separately by ACC, funded in part by the 1.75% ACC earners’ levy. |
| Capital gains | Net capital gains are added to taxable income; residents who hold an asset for at least 12 months reduce the gain by the 50% CGT discount. | There is no general capital gains tax; profits on residential property sold within 2 years (the bright-line test) and on assets bought to resell are taxed as income. |
Moving across the Tasman: work rights and retirement savings
Australian citizens can live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely without applying in advance. Immigration New Zealand grants an Australian Resident Visa on arrival, free of charge, provided you meet its good-character requirements. Australian permanent residents get the same visa but also need an NZeTA.
Retirement savings can move too. If you move to Australia permanently, Inland Revenue lets you transfer your KiwiSaver savings to an Australian superannuation fund, though you do not have to. People moving anywhere else can withdraw most of their KiwiSaver balance after living overseas for a year; moving to Australia does not open that cash-withdrawal route.
New Zealand student loans take 12% of pay above the threshold
New Zealand student loan repayments come out of each pay when you use an "SL" tax code. You repay 12% of every dollar earned above the repayment threshold, which was NZ$24,128 a year for the 2026 tax year (NZ$464 a week, NZ$2,010.66 a month). On a weekly wage of NZ$600 the repayment is NZ$16.32.
At New Zealand's median weekly earnings of NZ$1,419 (about NZ$73,788 a year), the repayment would be about NZ$5,959 a year, on top of income tax, the ACC earners' levy and any KiwiSaver contribution. The take-home figures above do not include it.
Frequently asked questions
Is Australia or New Zealand better for taxes?
At $100,000, Australia leaves you $2,993 more per year after income and payroll taxes. The gap widens at higher incomes ($6,521 at $250,000).
How much is $60,000 after tax in Australia and New Zealand?
$47,378 in Australia and $44,831 in New Zealand.
Can Australians work in New Zealand without a visa application?
Yes. Australian citizens are granted a free Australian Resident Visa on arrival, which lets them live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely.
Can I take my KiwiSaver to Australia?
If you move to Australia permanently you can transfer KiwiSaver savings to an Australian super fund. Unlike moves to other countries, moving to Australia does not let you withdraw the balance as cash after a year.
How much is a New Zealand student loan repayment?
12% of income above the repayment threshold (NZ$24,128 for the 2026 tax year), deducted through your SL tax code.
Sources
Figures are taken from official government publications and were last reviewed on 2026-10-03.
- ATO – Tax rates: Australian residents
- Budget 2026-27 – Cost of living
- ATO – What is the Medicare levy?
- ATO – Medicare levy reduction for low-income earners
- European Central Bank – euro foreign exchange reference rates
- Inland Revenue – Tax rates for individuals
- Inland Revenue – ACC earners' levy rates
- ACC – Levy Guidebook 2026/27
- ATO – How GST works
- ATO – Super guarantee rates and maximum contribution base
- ATO – CGT discount
- ATO – How to work out if you need to lodge a tax return
- Fair Work Ombudsman – Minimum wages
- ABS – Employee Earnings, August 2025
- Inland Revenue – GST
- Inland Revenue – Employer contributions to KiwiSaver and complying funds
- Inland Revenue – What happens at the end of the tax year
- Inland Revenue – The bright-line test
- Employment New Zealand – Minimum wage rates and types
- Stats NZ – Labour market statistics (income): June 2026 quarter
- Rev. Proc. 2025-32 (2026 inflation adjustments incl. OBBBA)
- IRS: Tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2026, including OBBBA amendments
- IRS: 401(k) limit increases to $24,500 for 2026, IRA limit increases to $7,500
- Immigration New Zealand – Australian Resident Visa
- Inland Revenue – Getting my KiwiSaver savings when I move overseas
- Inland Revenue – Repaying my student loan when I earn salary or wages