| name | australia-payroll |
| description | > Use this skill whenever asked about Australian payroll, PAYG withholding, superannuation guarantee, Single Touch Payroll, or employer obligations in Australia. Trigger on phrases like "PAYG", "pay as you go withholding", "superannuation", "super guarantee", "STP", "Single Touch Payroll", "STP Phase 2", "Medicare levy", "tax file number", "TFN declaration", "HECS-HELP", "STSL", "Fair Work", "NES", "national employment standards", "modern award", "payslip Australia", "ATO payroll", "BAS", "IAS", "activity statement", "annual leave", "long service leave", "minimum wage Australia", or any question about running payroll in Australia. ALWAYS read this skill before processing any Australian payroll work. |
| license | AGPL-3.0-or-later (code) / OpenAccountants Guide License v1.0 (content) |
| metadata | {"source":"openaccountants","jurisdiction":"AU","category":"payroll","quality":"source-cited draft","openaccountants_url":"https://openaccountants.com/skills/australia-payroll","obligation":"PAY"} |
Australia -- Payroll Skill v1.0
General reference only. This skill is general tax/accounting reference material for AI-assisted workflows. It has not been reviewed for any specific person's facts, documents, elections, deadlines, residency, filing status, or local procedures. Do not rely on it to file, pay, amend, or take a tax position without review by a qualified professional in the relevant jurisdiction.
Section 1 -- Quick Reference
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Country | Australia (Commonwealth of Australia) |
| Currency | AUD ($) only |
| Tax year (income year) | 1 July -- 30 June |
| Primary legislation | Income Tax Assessment Act 1997; Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992; Fair Work Act 2009 |
| Tax authority | Australian Taxation Office (ATO) |
| Workplace regulator | Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) |
| Reporting system | Single Touch Payroll (STP) Phase 2 |
| Pay frequency | Weekly, fortnightly, monthly (fortnightly most common) |
| Employer registration | ABN + PAYG withholding registration via ATO |
| Validated by | Pending -- requires sign-off by an Australian CPA, CA, or registered tax agent |
| Skill version | 1.0 |
Section 2 -- Income Tax Withholding (PAYG)
PAYG withholding is calculated per pay period using ATO tax tables (Schedule 1 -- NAT 1004) or the Statement of Formulas. The employer applies the appropriate coefficients based on weekly/fortnightly/monthly earnings.
Resident Individual Tax Rates (2025--26)
| Taxable Income (AUD) | Rate | Tax on This Income |
|---|
| 0 -- 18,200 | 0% | Nil |
| 18,201 -- 45,000 | 16% | 16c for each $1 over $18,200 |
| 45,001 -- 135,000 | 30% | $4,288 plus 30c for each $1 over $45,000 |
| 135,001 -- 190,000 | 37% | $31,288 plus 37c for each $1 over $135,000 |
| 190,001+ | 45% | $51,638 plus 45c for each $1 over $190,000 |
These rates exclude the Medicare levy (2%).
Medicare Levy
| Item | Detail |
|---|
| Standard rate | 2% of taxable income |
| Low-income threshold (single) | No levy up to $28,011; reduced levy $28,012--$35,014 |
| Low-income threshold (family) | No levy up to $47,238; reduced $47,239--$59,048 |
| Medicare Levy Surcharge | 1.0%--1.5% additional for high earners without private hospital cover |
The Medicare levy is incorporated into PAYG withholding calculations via the tax tables.
Tax File Number (TFN) Declaration
Every new employee must complete a TFN declaration. If no TFN is provided, withhold at the top marginal rate (45% + Medicare levy = 47%) from the first dollar.
Study and Training Support Loans (STSL)
Formerly HECS-HELP. Compulsory repayments are withheld via PAYG based on Schedule 8 thresholds. Updated STSL repayment thresholds apply from 24 September 2025, reducing compulsory repayments for most borrowers.
Section 3 -- Social Security: Employee Deductions
Australia does not have a separate employee social security contribution. The Medicare levy (2%) serves a similar function but is collected through PAYG withholding, not as a separate line item.
Employee-Side Deductions Summary
| Deduction | Rate | Ceiling | Notes |
|---|
| PAYG income tax | Progressive (see above) | No ceiling | Includes Medicare levy in tax tables |
| STSL repayment | 1%--10% (income-based) | No ceiling | Only if employee has HELP/STSL debt |
| Salary sacrifice (super) | Voluntary | Concessional cap $30,000/year | Pre-tax; reduces PAYG withholding base |
There is no employee-paid social insurance premium equivalent to NIC (UK) or social security tax (US).
Section 4 -- Social Security: Employer Contributions
Superannuation Guarantee (SG)
| Parameter | 2025--26 Value |
|---|
| SG rate | 12% of ordinary time earnings (OTE) |
| Maximum contribution base | $65,070 per quarter ($260,280/year) |
| Minimum earnings threshold | Abolished (no $450/month threshold from 1 Jul 2022) |
| Payment frequency | Quarterly (28 days after quarter end) |
| Eligible employees | All employees 18+; under-18s working 30+ hours/week |
SG quarterly due dates: 28 October, 28 January, 28 April, 28 July.
12% is the final scheduled SG rate (reached 1 July 2025). No further increases are planned.
Superannuation Guarantee Charge (SGC)
If SG is not paid in full by the quarterly deadline, the employer must lodge an SGC statement and pay:
- The shortfall amount (calculated on total salary/wages, not just OTE)
- Nominal interest (10% per annum)
- An administration fee ($20 per employee per quarter)
SGC amounts are not tax-deductible.
Workers' Compensation Insurance
Mandatory in all states/territories. Premium rates vary by industry, state, and claims history. Typically 1%--5% of wages for office-based roles.
Payroll Tax (State/Territory)
| State/Territory | Threshold (Annual) | Rate |
|---|
| NSW | $1,200,000 | 4.85% |
| VIC | $900,000 | 4.85% |
| QLD | $1,300,000 | 4.75% |
| WA | $1,000,000 | 5.50% |
| SA | $1,500,000 | Varies (0%--4.95%) |
| TAS | $1,250,000 | 4.00% |
| ACT | $2,000,000 | 6.85% |
| NT | $1,500,000 | 5.50% |
Payroll tax is a state/territory tax on total Australian wages above the threshold. Interstate employers must register in each jurisdiction where they have employees.
Section 5 -- Minimum Wage and Overtime
National Minimum Wage (from 1 July 2025)
| Category | Rate |
|---|
| Adult (full-time, 38 hrs/week) | $24.95/hour ($948.10/week) |
| Junior rates | Percentage of adult rate by age (under awards) |
| Casual loading | 25% on top of base rate (in lieu of leave entitlements) |
Most employees are covered by a modern award, which sets higher minimum rates by classification level.
Overtime (Under Awards)
| Period | Typical Award Rate |
|---|
| First 2 hours overtime (Mon--Sat) | 150% (time and a half) |
| After 2 hours overtime | 200% (double time) |
| Sunday work | 200% |
| Public holiday work | 250% |
Exact rates depend on the applicable modern award or enterprise agreement. The Fair Work Act does not prescribe a single universal overtime rate.
Maximum Ordinary Hours
38 hours/week under the NES. Can be averaged over up to 26 weeks if permitted by the award or agreement.
Section 6 -- Mandatory Benefits
Annual Leave
4 weeks per year (pro-rata for part-time). Accrues progressively. Shift workers may receive 5 weeks. 17.5% annual leave loading is common under awards (paid on top of base rate when leave is taken).
Personal / Carer's Leave (Sick Leave)
10 days per year for full-time employees (pro-rata for part-time). Accumulates year to year with no cap. Paid at the base rate of pay.
Compassionate / Bereavement Leave
2 days per occasion (paid for permanent employees).
Long Service Leave
Governed by state/territory legislation. Typically 8.67 weeks after 10 years of continuous service. Some states allow pro-rata access after 5--7 years.
Parental Leave
| Type | Duration | Payment |
|---|
| Government Paid Parental Leave | Up to 22 weeks (increasing to 26 weeks by Jul 2026) | National minimum wage rate |
| Unpaid parental leave | Up to 12 months (can request additional 12 months) | Nil (job-protected) |
Public Holidays
8 national public holidays. Additional state/territory-specific holidays. Employees (except casuals) are entitled to be absent on public holidays without loss of pay.
Redundancy Pay (NES)
| Years of Service | Weeks of Pay |
|---|
| 1--2 years | 4 weeks |
| 2--3 years | 6 weeks |
| 3--4 years | 7 weeks |
| 4--5 years | 8 weeks |
| 5--6 years | 10 weeks |
| 6--7 years | 11 weeks |
| 7--8 years | 13 weeks |
| 8--9 years | 14 weeks |
| 9--10 years | 16 weeks |
| 10+ years | 12 weeks |
Small business employers (< 15 employees) are exempt from NES redundancy pay.
Section 7 -- Payslip Requirements
Payslips must be issued within 1 working day of payday (Fair Work Act s536, Fair Work Regulations r3.36).
Mandatory Payslip Contents
- Employer's name and ABN
- Employee's name
- Pay period and payment date
- Gross and net amounts paid
- Hourly rate (or annual salary)
- Hours worked (if hourly or pay varies)
- All loadings, allowances, bonuses, incentive payments, penalty rates -- separately itemised
- All deductions (PAYG withholding, salary sacrifice, union fees, etc.)
- Superannuation contributions (employer and any salary sacrifice)
- Name of superannuation fund
Leave Balances
Not strictly required on payslips but must be provided to employees on request. Best practice is to include annual leave and personal leave balances.
Section 8 -- Filing Obligations
Single Touch Payroll (STP) Phase 2
| Item | Detail |
|---|
| Reporting frequency | Each pay event (each time employees are paid) |
| Method | STP-enabled payroll software submits to ATO |
| Content | Gross payments, PAYG withheld, super liability, employee details, income types, country codes |
| Finalisation deadline | 14 July following end of financial year |
| Closely held payees | May report quarterly; finalise by 14 July |
PAYG Withholding Remittance
| Employer Size | Reporting | Payment Due |
|---|
| Small withholders (< $25,000 annual PAYG) | Quarterly BAS | 28 days after quarter end |
| Medium withholders ($25,000--$1M) | Monthly IAS | 21st of following month |
| Large withholders (> $1M) | Monthly IAS + may need to pay more frequently | 21st of following month |
Superannuation Remittance
| Due Date | Quarter |
|---|
| 28 October | July -- September |
| 28 January | October -- December |
| 28 April | January -- March |
| 28 July | April -- June |
Annual Obligations
| Task | Deadline |
|---|
| STP finalisation | 14 July |
| PAYG payment summary (now replaced by STP income statement) | Via STP -- no separate form required |
| Workers' comp annual declaration | Per state insurer schedule |
| Payroll tax annual reconciliation | Per state revenue office (typically July/August) |
Penalties
| Violation | Consequence |
|---|
| Late SG payment | SGC: shortfall + 10% interest + $20/employee admin fee; not deductible |
| Failure to withhold PAYG | Employer liable for amount that should have been withheld |
| Late BAS/IAS lodgement | General interest charge (GIC) + potential failure-to-lodge penalty |
| Payslip non-compliance | Up to $16,500 per contravention (individual); $82,500 (body corporate) |
Section 9 -- Common Payroll Patterns
Pattern 1 -- Full-Time Monthly Employee
Annual salary $85,000. Paid monthly. No STSL debt.
- Monthly gross: $85,000 ÷ 12 = $7,083.33
- PAYG withholding: per Schedule 1 tax table coefficients (~$1,420/month incl. Medicare)
- Super guarantee: $7,083.33 × 12% = $850.00 (employer cost, paid quarterly)
- Net pay: $7,083.33 - $1,420.00 - deductions
Pattern 2 -- Casual Employee with Loading
Base rate $28.50/hour under award. Casual loading 25% = $35.63/hour. Works 25 hours.
- Gross: 25 × $35.63 = $890.75
- PAYG: per weekly tax table for $890.75
- Super: $890.75 × 12% = $106.89 (employer cost)
- No leave accrual (casual loading compensates)
Pattern 3 -- Employee with Salary Sacrifice to Super
Annual salary $120,000. Sacrifices $10,000/year to super.
- Taxable salary: $110,000 (reduced PAYG base)
- Employer SG: $120,000 × 12% = $14,400 (calculated on pre-sacrifice OTE)
- Concessional super cap: $30,000 (includes SG $14,400 + sacrifice $10,000 = $24,400; within cap)
- The $10,000 is taxed at 15% inside the super fund instead of the employee's marginal rate
Pattern 4 -- STSL Repayment
Employee earning $65,000 with HELP debt. STSL repayment rate from Schedule 8 tables: approximately 4.5%. Annual repayment: $65,000 × 4.5% = $2,925, withheld progressively via PAYG.
Section 10 -- Interaction with Other Skills
| Skill | Interaction |
|---|
| payroll-workflow-base | Provides generic payroll processing steps; this skill adds Australian-specific rules |
| australia-bookkeeping | Payroll journals: salaries + super + payroll tax to P&L; PAYG liability + super liability + net pay to BS |
| australia-bas | PAYG withholding reported on BAS/IAS; GST does not apply to wages |
| australia-stp | STP Phase 2 reporting is the primary payroll compliance mechanism |
Disclaimer
This skill and its outputs are provided for informational and computational purposes only and do not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Open Accountants and its contributors accept no liability for any errors, omissions, or outcomes arising from the use of this skill. All outputs must be reviewed and signed off by a qualified professional (such as a CPA, EA, tax attorney, or equivalent licensed practitioner in your jurisdiction) before filing or acting upon.
The most up-to-date, verified version of this skill is maintained at openaccountants.com. Log in to access the latest version, request a professional review from a licensed accountant, and track updates as tax law changes.
Source: OpenAccountants — open tax Guides for AI, reviewed by named CPAs/CAs/EAs. Quality: source-cited draft. For always-current figures and named-accountant backing, connect the OpenAccountants MCP server (openaccountants-mcp).
