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.
Switch to another sacrifice type
Salary sacrifice inputs
Tax rates and thresholds vary by year
Your income
See how salary sacrificing to super affects your take-home pay and long-term retirement savings.
Did you know?
Super contributions are taxed at just 15%, compared to marginal rates that can be as high as 47% including Medicare levy.
Compound magic
Every dollar you salary sacrifice today could grow materially over time if it stays invested inside super.
Smart strategy
The tax benefit is strongest when you stay inside the concessional cap and avoid Division 293 surprises.
Salary sacrifice inputs
Tax rates and thresholds vary by year
Your income
See how salary sacrificing to super affects your take-home pay and long-term retirement savings.
Did you know?
Super contributions are taxed at just 15%, compared to marginal rates that can be as high as 47% including Medicare levy.
Compound magic
Every dollar you salary sacrifice today could grow materially over time if it stays invested inside super.
Smart strategy
The tax benefit is strongest when you stay inside the concessional cap and avoid Division 293 surprises.
Salary packaging outcome
Annual impact summary
Compare the tax saved with the change to your take-home pay.
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 effectively leaves $1,664 inside 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 | $10,800 | $10,800 |
| Salary Sacrifice (Gross) | $0 | $5,200 |
| Contributions Tax (15%) | $0 | -$780 |
| Total Super | $10,800 | $15,220 |
“Salary sacrificing into super is taxed at 15%, which is often much lower than your marginal tax rate.”
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
- Total Super:$10,350
- Income Tax:$20,797
- Take-Home Pay:$67,403
✓With $5,200 Sacrifice
- Gross Income:$90,000
- Employer Super (11.5%):$10,350
- Total Super:$14,770
- Income Tax:$19,237
- Take-Home Pay:$64,783
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!
?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.
Key Benefits
- Pay less income tax nowReduce your taxable income each pay cycle.
- Boost retirement savingsExtra contributions compound over decades.
- Compound growth over timeTax-effective earnings inside super.
- Tax-effective wealth building15% tax vs your marginal rate.
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.
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