**Core formula:** `(target net + PAYG + Medicare + chosen super + ops costs) / billable days` with **176** default billable days (220 × 80%).
What must be inside your day rate
- PAYG + Medicare on profit - Super if you want parity with employees on 11.5% SG - PI insurance, laptop refresh, unpaid admin
Internal links
See [main AU calculator](/au/) and [contractor vs employee](/au/contractor-vs-employee).
How we calculate your break-even rate
We expand target net with PAYG + Medicare, optional voluntary super to mirror SG, and expenses, then divide by billable days (default 220 × 80% = 176 in your copy—tune to reality).
If you only bill 150 days, multiply required revenue by 176 ÷ 150. Super is not optional for parity—employees get 11.5% on OTE (headline rate; verify annually).
GST is excluded from the net-personal goal; add 10% on taxable supplies once registered.
Typical Australia day rates (2025/2026, AUD)
Sydney/Melbourne premiums; remote AU serving US may sit higher.
| Industry | Junior (0-3y) | Mid (3-7y) | Senior (7+y) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software development | A$600-900 | A$900-1,400 | A$1,400-2,400 |
| Design / UX | A$500-750 | A$750-1,200 | A$1,200-1,800 |
| Management consulting | A$800-1,200 | A$1,200-2,000 | A$2,000-3,500 |
| Marketing / content | A$450-700 | A$700-1,100 | A$1,100-1,700 |
| Finance / accounting | A$600-900 | A$900-1,400 | A$1,400-2,200 |
Your rate must fund **super** and **no paid leave**—compare to **SG-inclusive** employee packages.
What to say when clients push back on your rate
Anchor on total employment cost including SG—a A$150k package is not A$150k invoices.
Script: “The day rate covers tax, Medicare, super I now self-fund, and bench between gigs. Happy to phase work if budget is fixed.”
Day vs hour: use day for delivery work; hourly with minimum blocks.
GST: quote ex-GST; show GST on tax invoices when registered.
FAQ
**Day** for projects; hourly for support with clear caps.
Keep quotes **ex-GST**; GST is a compliance line, not take-home.
Include **SG** and paid leave value in the comparison.
Small **5-10%** for certain monthly minimums can work—don’t give away scope.
**Annually** and when demand exceeds **6 months** forward.
Under **~A$700/day** in major cities, overhead bites—model your expenses.
No—enter revenue net of GST or add GST on top of quotes explicitly.