Calculate your tax, estimate Centrelink payments, plan your budget
Money decisions in Australia depend on two things that are easy to mix up: your tax residency and your visa status. A 482 worker, a working-holiday maker and a new permanent resident can all earn the same salary, but pay tax differently, access different benefits and need different health cover.
Use this page as a map before you open the calculators. Start with your visa, check whether you are likely to be an Australian resident for tax purposes, then model your take-home pay, rent and family payments. Figures below use official 2025-26 settings where they are stable; always check the linked government source before lodging a tax return or Centrelink claim.
This comparison is a first-pass guide. Centrelink and Medicare decisions can depend on the exact subclass, grant date, family situation and whether a waiting period has already been served.
| Status | Tax basics | Centrelink access | Medicare / next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citizen | Resident tax rates usually apply. The tax-free threshold is $18,200 for the full year. | Full access if residency, income and activity tests are met. | Medicare eligible. Model tax, levy and surcharge in the tax calculator. |
| Permanent resident | Often a tax resident once living here, but tax residency is separate from PR status. | Many payments have a Newly Arrived Resident's Waiting Period, often 1 to 4 years. | Medicare eligible. Check NARWP before relying on FTB, JobSeeker or Parenting Payment. |
| 482 / Skills in Demand | May be a tax resident if living here long term. If not eligible for Medicare, a levy exemption may apply. | Generally no Centrelink income support or family payments while temporary. | Usually needs private cover unless RHCA or another Medicare rule applies. |
| Student visa 500 | Tax residency depends on facts. Students can often be residents for tax after living here for the course. | Generally no Centrelink. Some study-related concessions are state or provider based, not Centrelink. | OSHC is normally required. Use the tax calculator before taking extra shifts. |
| Working holiday 417 / 462 | WHM tax is 15% from the first dollar up to $45,000, then higher rates above that. | No Centrelink. Super can usually be claimed after leaving Australia through DASP. | Medicare only if an RHCA applies. DASP tax is higher for WHM super. |
| Partner 820 / 309 | Taxed under normal tax-residency rules, not simply because it is a partner visa. | Some family payments may be available, but FTB Part A and Parental Leave Pay can have NARWP. | Many partner applicants can enrol in Medicare after applying for permanent residence. |
| Special Category 444 NZ | Tax residency depends on ordinary tax rules and where you live/work. | Access depends on protected SCV status, residence history and payment type. | NZ citizens living in Australia can usually enrol in Medicare. Check Centrelink before budgeting. |
Sources: ATO resident tax rates | ATO working holiday maker rates | Services Australia NARWP | ATO DASP
Estimate FTB, Parental Leave Pay, Newborn Supplement, and more for every visa type.
Calculate your Australian income tax, Medicare levy, and take-home pay.
Work out how much rent you can afford based on your income and expenses.
See when your Centrelink payments arrive with a visual payment calendar.
Estimate your superannuation balance at retirement. Includes salary sacrifice and DASP info for visa holders.
Related tools from other pillars
These examples show how the calculators fit together. They are not personal tax or financial advice, but they help you decide which number to check first.
A new permanent resident on $80,000 should first estimate income tax using the resident 2025-26 brackets, then add the 2% Medicare levy unless an exemption applies. The tax-free threshold matters, but Centrelink may still be limited by NARWP. Start with the Tax Calculator, then check NARWP before counting on family payments.
A working-holiday maker earning $60,000 is not taxed like a local employee on the first $45,000. A registered WHM employer withholds 15% up to that point, then higher rates above it. They should also understand that DASP tax can take 65% of taxable super when they leave. Use the Tax Calculator before accepting extra shifts.
A family with two children under 13 could be eligible for up to $454.72 per fortnight in FTB Part A at maximum 2025-26 rates before the income test, waiting periods and balancing. If one child is newborn, Newborn Supplement may also matter. Run the Centrelink Calculator, then keep income estimates conservative.
Your money questions don't stop at tax — check out visa pathways and family tools too.
Visas & Immigration Family & Kids