How Much of a $5,000 Pay Rise Do You Actually Keep? (2026-27)
The take-home share of a $5,000 raise at six salaries, with and without a HELP debt, and why it changes at each bracket.
By the MoneyBackKit AU team · Updated 28 October 2026 · 3 min read
A $5,000 pay rise never reaches your account in full. How much you keep depends on which tax bracket the extra dollars land in, plus the 2% Medicare levy and, if you have one, your HELP repayment.
What you keep from a $5,000 raise (2026-27)
| Salary now | You keep a year | Share kept | You keep with a HELP debt | Extra a fortnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $3,900 | 78% | $3,900 | $150 |
| $60,000 | $3,325 | 67% | $3,325 | $128 |
| $100,000 | $3,400 | 68% | $2,650 | $131 |
| $140,000 | $3,050 | 61% | $2,200 | $117 |
| $180,000 | $3,050 | 61% | $2,200 | $117 |
| $200,000 | $2,650 | 53% | $2,150 | $102 |
Why the share changes
- Below $45,000 the extra is taxed at 15% plus Medicare, and the low income tax offset shrinks as you earn more, so you keep a little less than you might expect.
- From $45,000 to $135,000 each extra dollar is taxed at 30% plus 2% Medicare, plus another 1.5 cents up to $66,667 while the low income tax offset phases out.
- Above $135,000 it's 37%, and above $190,000 it's 45%.
- A HELP debt takes a further slice once your income is over the repayment threshold.
Your employer also pays 12% super on the raise, so the full value to you is higher than the take-home figure.
Pay & Tax Calculator 2026-27See your take-home pay after a raise.