Salary sacrifice calculator — Australia
What sacrificing into super actually saves after the 15% contributions tax, and how much concessional cap you have left.
Covers 2026–27 income year · rates as at 2026-07-01
You are better off by
Estimate$2,040.00
tax saved 3,840 less 1,800 of contributions tax
- Take-home pay falls by
- $8,160.00
- Lands in super
- $10,200
- Cap headroom left
- $1,800.00
| Income tax saved | $3,840.00 |
|---|---|
| Contributions tax (15%) | -$1,800.00 |
| Net benefit | $2,040.00 |
| Employer contributions | $16,200 |
At a 37% marginal rate the saving is the 22-point gap to the 15% contributions tax — about $2,640 on a $12,000 sacrifice.
Side by side
How this is calculated
The benefit is a rate gap, not the contribution
Sacrificed salary is taxed at 15% going into super instead of your marginal rate. On $135,000 the marginal rate is 39% including the levy, so each sacrificed dollar saves 24 cents.
benefit = sacrifice × (marginal rate − 15%)Employer contributions share the cap
The concessional cap of $30,000 covers employer super and your sacrifice together. On a $135,000 salary the 12% guarantee already uses $16,200, leaving $13,800 of room.
Going over the cap is expensive
Excess concessional contributions are added back to your taxable income and taxed at your marginal rate with an interest charge. Going $2,000 over at a 39% marginal rate turns a $480 benefit into a bill.
Worked example: A $135,000 salary sacrificing $12,000
| Salary | $135,000 |
|---|---|
| Sacrifice | $12,000 |
| Employer SG | $16,200 |
| Income tax saved | about $4,440 |
|---|---|
| Contributions tax | $1,800 |
| Net benefit | about $2,640 |
Employer contributions of $16,200 plus $12,000 sacrificed is $28,200 — just under the $30,000 cap, with $1,800 of room left.
What this assumes
- The arrangement is in place for the full year.
- No other concessional contributions are made.
- Division 293 does not apply.
- Employer super is calculated on the pre-sacrifice salary.
Where this commonly goes wrong
- Above $250,000 of combined income, Division 293 charges an extra 15% on concessional contributions, halving the benefit shown here.
- Some employers calculate the super guarantee on the reduced salary. Legislation requires it on the pre-sacrifice figure, but check the payslip.
- The money is preserved until at least age 60 — a benefit paid for in liquidity, which no percentage on this page captures.
Questions
How much does salary sacrifice save?
The gap between your marginal rate and the 15% contributions tax. At a 39% marginal rate including the Medicare levy, each sacrificed dollar saves 24 cents — about $2,640 on a $12,000 sacrifice.
What is the concessional contributions cap?
Thirty thousand dollars a year, covering employer super and your sacrifice together. On a $135,000 salary the 12% guarantee already uses $16,200, so the room for sacrifice is $13,800, not the full cap.
What happens if I exceed the cap?
The excess is added back to your taxable income and taxed at your marginal rate, with an interest charge on top. You can withdraw up to 85% of the excess to help pay it, but the benefit is gone.
Can I use unused cap from previous years?
Yes, if your total super balance was under $500,000 on the previous 30 June. Unused concessional cap carries forward for five years, which is useful in a year with a bonus or a capital gain.
Is salary sacrifice better than a personal deductible contribution?
The tax outcome is nearly identical. Sacrifice is automatic through payroll; a personal deductible contribution is made after the fact and claimed in your return, which suits variable or self-employed income.
Does it affect my take-home pay much?
Less than the sacrifice amount, because your tax falls at the same time. Sacrificing $12,000 at a 39% marginal rate reduces take-home by about $7,320, not $12,000.
Related tools
Sources
General information only, based on published rules for the 2026–27 income year. It does not take account of your objectives, financial situation or needs and is not financial product advice. BankSync does not hold an AFSL. Consider advice from a licensed financial adviser.
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