Salary Sacrifice Superannuation Calculator
Boost your super and reduce your tax. See how salary sacrificing to super affects your take-home pay and builds your retirement savings. Updated for 2025-2026.
Example: $90,000 Salary
See how salary sacrificing $100/week ($5,200/year) into super can save you money:
❌Without Extra Super
- Gross Income:$90,000
- Employer Super (11.5%):$10,350
- Income Tax:$20,797
- Take-Home Pay:$67,403
✓With $5,200 Sacrifice
- Gross Income:$90,000
- Total Super:$15,550
- Income Tax:$19,237
- Take-Home Pay:$64,783
- Super Boost:+$4,420
💰 Result: Your super grows by $4,420 extra per year while your take-home only drops by $2,620. That's a $1,800 net benefit thanks to the 15% concessional tax rate vs your 30% marginal rate!
Salary Sacrifice Calculator
See how salary sacrificing to super affects your take-home pay and builds your retirement savings.
Standard rate is 12.0%. Universities often pay 17%, APS 15.4%.
💡 Did You Know?
Super contributions are taxed at just 15%, compared to your marginal tax rate which could be up to 47% (including Medicare levy)!
📈 Compound Magic
Every dollar you salary sacrifice today could grow to $7.61 in 30 years (assuming 7% annual returns)!
🎯 Smart Strategy
High earners can save up to $9,900 per year by maxing out the $30,000 concessional cap!
"Salary sacrificing into super is taxed at 15%, which is often much lower than your marginal tax rate."
Tax Saved
$1,664
per year
Extra Super
$4,420
after 15% tax
Impact on Take-Home Pay
💰 The Magic of Super Contributions
The government pays $1,664 directly into your super instead of collecting it as tax!
Instant Return
25.0%
Guaranteed return on your money immediately.
Future Wealth
*Assumes 7% annual return
| Component | Current | With Sacrifice |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $90,000 | $84,800 |
| Taxable Income | $90,000 | $84,800 |
| Estimated Tax | -$19,588 | -$17,924 |
| Net Pay | $70,412 | $66,876 |
| Superannuation | ||
| Employer SG | $10,350 | $10,350 |
| Salary Sacrifice (Gross) | $0 | $5,200 |
| Contributions Tax (15%) | $0 | -$780 |
| Total Super | $10,350 | $14,770 |
?How Salary Sacrifice to Super Works
Salary sacrificing into super involves asking your employer to pay part of your pre-tax salary into your super account. This is taxed at a concessional rate of 15%, which is usually lower than your marginal income tax rate.
Why sacrifice to super?
- Pay less income tax now
- Boost retirement savings
- Compound growth over time
- Tax-effective wealth building
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the concessional contributions cap for 2025-26?
For the 2025-2026 financial year, the concessional contributions cap is $30,000. This includes your employer's Super Guarantee (SG) contributions and any salary sacrifice amounts. If you exceed this cap, the excess is taxed at your marginal tax rate.
How much tax do I save by salary sacrificing to super?
Salary sacrificed amounts are taxed at 15% instead of your marginal income tax rate. For example, if you earn $90,000, your marginal rate is 30% (plus Medicare levy). By sacrificing into super, you save the difference between your marginal rate and the 15% contributions tax.
What is Division 293 tax?
Division 293 tax is an additional 15% tax on concessional super contributions for high-income earners. If your income plus concessional contributions exceed $250,000, you'll pay an extra 15% tax (total 30%) on the amount over the threshold.
Can I access my salary sacrifice super contributions?
Generally, no. Salary sacrifice contributions are preserved in your super fund until you reach your 'preservation age' and retire, or meet another condition of release. This is a long-term investment strategy for retirement.