A **$90,000** PAYG package is not **$90,000** of billable day-rate revenue. Medicare Levy and marginal PAYG rates stack on the full taxable income, while sole traders also need to self-fund super if they want parity with SG.
Three AUD checkpoints
- $90k PAYG: model net often lands near $63k–$66k after PAYG + 2% Medicare Levy (simplified). - $90k ABN revenue, $9k expenses: net frequently falls $4k–$7k lower once you add voluntary 11.5% super on profit. - $130k PAYG: nets roughly $88k–$92k in this toy model—freelancers quoting $130k flat rarely keep that cash without expenses under 5%.
Stack those gaps against hidden costs of freelancing—super, leave, and insurance rarely show up in a headline rate.
GST note
GST is 10% on taxable supplies once registered—quote exclusive or inclusive deliberately; our calculator stays GST-exclusive on revenue inputs.
Limits
LITO/MLS tiers and Division 293 are not modeled. VERIFY with your tax agent if you are near $250k+ total income.
Worked example: A$90,000 salary — what you keep
A$90,000 PAYG often lands ~A$65,500 net after PAYG withholding (~A$18,500 including Medicare Levy 2% in typical models) while the employer pays 11.5% Super Guarantee (~A$10,350) on top—real comp ~A$100,350. An ABN sole trader with A$90,000 revenue and A$9,000 expenses—after income tax/Medicare on A$81,000 profit and voluntary 11.5% super (~A$9,300)—often keeps ~A$58,000–A$60,000 cash. The gap is mostly super and no paid leave accrual.
| Item | PAYG (A$90k) | ABN sole trader (A$90k rev) |
|---|---|---|
| Package / revenue | A$90,000 | A$90,000 |
| Business expenses | — | −A$9,000 |
| Taxable profit / income | A$90,000 | A$81,000 |
| PAYG / income tax + Medicare | −A$18,500 | −A$16,200 |
| Super (SG employer / voluntary) | A$10,350 employer-paid | −A$9,300 (voluntary) |
| ≈ Cash + super wealth | ≈ A$65,500 + A$10.4k super | ≈ A$55,500 + A$9.3k super |
GST **10%** applies after the **A$75,000** registration threshold for most businesses—keep invoices ex-GST in the tool unless you toggle otherwise.
Common mistakes when comparing Australian net pay
Ignoring Super Guarantee
Employers pay 11.5% on ordinary time earnings (2024/25 headline). Freelancers who “match” a salary without funding super retire with a six-figure hole over a decade.
Using “no tax-free threshold” incorrectly
Second jobs and some contracts withhold at higher rates—your end-year refund may differ from monthly cash flow.
Forgetting unpaid leave
20 days annual leave + 10 sick as an employee is ~A$8–12k of implied value at mid rates—contractors invoice it or lose it.
Mixing GST into personal income
GST collected is not salary—it’s a liability until BAS reconciliation.
Who benefits most from freelancing in Australia?
When ABN contracting wins
Freelancing pays when:
- Your **day rate** clears **A$1,000+** in tight niches (cloud, security, SAP, niche data).
- You keep **>80% billable** utilisation across the year.
- You expense real **tools, insurance, coworking** (where allowed).
- You still fund **concessional super** to chase parity.
When PAYG is safer
Employment is smarter when:
- Your implied rate is **<A$700/day** with admin overhead.
- You rely on **paid parental leave** and **group income protection**.
- You need a **home loan** with conservative servicing tests.
- You dislike **BAS** cadence and debtor risk.
Super Guarantee: what freelancers miss
For 2025–26 the Super Guarantee (SG) rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings, paid by the employer on top of wages for employees. ABN sole traders have no mandatory employer super—most skip voluntary contributions in lean years, which makes freelance net look artificially high next to PAYG.
At A$100,000 of ordinary time earnings, 12% SG is A$12,000 a year the law forces into super for an employee. Over 25 years, A$12k/year of contributions at roughly 7% average net fund returns compounds to on the order of ~A$800k extra super balance versus zero voluntary savings—order-of-magnitude, not personal advice.
If you self-fund super, concessional (before-tax) contributions are generally capped at A$30,000 for 2025–26 (standard cap; verify ATO tables yearly). For many sole traders this is the most tax-efficient retirement bucket available. The cross-border angle on the same problem is covered in freelance retirement gap.
ABN structures beyond sole trader
Sole trader is fastest: report business income on your individual return, no separate entity, no corporate shield—creditors reach personal assets.
Pty Ltd company: 25% base rate entity tax for eligible small businesses up to A$50m aggregated turnover (simplified). Once taxable profit stays above roughly A$120k, the company rate can beat 37% individual marginal slices—but you pay ASIC, accountant, and director compliance (~A$1,000–2,000+/year is common as a planning budget, not a quote).
Discretionary (family) trusts are widely used to stream income to adult beneficiaries with lower marginal rates. Setup and deed maintenance are not DIY; you need a competent accountant.
PSI (Personal Services Income) rules can look through a company or trust if >80% of income is from one client (the “results test” and other exceptions matter). If PSI applies, you may be taxed largely as if you were a sole trader anyway—model your day rate with the Australian freelance rate calculator before you assume a wrapper saves tax. For when a company actually pays off, see when to incorporate.
FAQ
Because SG is real comp for employees; ignoring it makes freelance look artificially rich.
No—high earners with concessional super may owe extra; verify with your agent.
Default is GST-exclusive business revenue unless your build states otherwise.
Pty Ltd + wages/dividends are not modeled on this page.
Often **A$105k–A$125k+** invoiced with typical expenses and voluntary super.
Include them via calculator toggles if available; thresholds change yearly.
Not explicitly—low-income offsets can lift net for smaller bases.
Yes—prorate revenue; watch PAYG withholding vs actual liability at year-end.