Fortnightly Tax Table 2026 Australia
Look up how much PAYG tax is withheld from your fortnightly pay for the 2025-26 financial year. Enter your gross fortnightly pay or browse the reference table below. If you searched for the ATO fortnightly tax table, PAYG tax on fortnightly pay, or how much tax comes out of a fortnightly payslip, this page is built for that answer.
Looking for the ATO fortnightly tax table for 2025/2026? This page summarizes the same core withholding logic in an employee-friendly format.
Quick answer: Fortnightly PAYG withholding is estimated by annualising your pay, calculating tax using the resident tax brackets, adding the standard 2% Medicare levy, and dividing the result back across 26 fortnights. Employers use the official ATO schedules with rounding, so a small difference from your payslip is normal.
Based on 2025-26 ATO tax rates (Stage 3 tax cuts). Assumes claiming the tax-free threshold, no HELP debt. Your actual payslip may differ slightly due to ATO rounding.
Check related guides: Bonus Tax Calculator, tax on $100,000 salary, tax on $150,000 salary, and tax on $300,000 salary.
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Before tax amount from your payslip. Claiming tax-free threshold, no HELP debt.
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Fortnightly PAYG withholding reference table
Tax withheld for common fortnightly gross pay amounts. Assumes tax-free threshold claimed, no HELP/HECS debt, Australian resident.
| Fortnightly Gross | Tax Withheld | Medicare Levy | Net Pay | Annual Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $48 | $20 | $932 | $26,000 |
| $1,500 | $128 | $30 | $1,342 | $39,000 |
| $2,000 | $246 | $40 | $1,714 | $52,000 |
| $2,500 | $396 | $50 | $2,054 | $65,000 |
| $3,000 | $546 | $60 | $2,394 | $78,000 |
| $3,500 | $696 | $70 | $2,734 | $91,000 |
| $4,000 | $846 | $80 | $3,074 | $104,000 |
| $4,500 | $996 | $90 | $3,414 | $117,000 |
| $5,000 | $1,146 | $100 | $3,754 | $130,000 |
| $5,500 | $1,317 | $110 | $4,073 | $143,000 |
| $6,000 | $1,502 | $120 | $4,378 | $156,000 |
| $7,000 | $1,872 | $140 | $4,988 | $182,000 |
| $8,000 | $2,298 | $160 | $5,542 | $208,000 |
| $10,000 | $3,198 | $200 | $6,602 | $260,000 |
Amounts are rounded to the nearest dollar. Based on 2025-26 ATO tax brackets including 2% Medicare levy. Your actual payslip may differ slightly due to ATO rounding rules and individual circumstances.
How fortnightly PAYG withholding works
Every time you receive your fortnightly pay, your employer withholds an amount for tax based on ATO tax tables. This is called PAYG (Pay As You Go) withholding. The withheld amount goes to the ATO throughout the year, reducing or eliminating the tax you owe at tax time.
For most employees, the main variables are your gross fortnightly pay, whether you claim the tax-free threshold, and whether you have a HELP debt or another study loan. That is why the same person can see a different withholding amount after changing jobs, getting a raise, or updating their TFN declaration.
The amount withheld depends on:
- Your gross fortnightly pay (before deductions)
- Whether you claimed the tax-free threshold on your TFN declaration
- Whether you have a HELP/HECS, VSL, or other study loan debt
- Any withholding variations requested through the ATO
How the fortnightly tax table is calculated
The fortnightly withholding amount is derived from the annual tax rates. Here is the calculation method:
Step 1: Annualise the fortnightly pay: Annual = Fortnightly x 26
Step 2: Calculate annual income tax using the 2025-26 tax brackets
Step 3: Add 2% Medicare levy on total taxable income
Step 4: Divide total annual tax by 26 to get fortnightly withholding
2025-26 income tax brackets
| Taxable Income | Tax 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 |
Plus 2% Medicare levy on total taxable income. These rates reflect the Stage 3 tax cuts that took effect 1 July 2024 and continue for 2025-26.
Tax-free threshold and fortnightly pay
The tax-free threshold of $18,200 per year means the first ~$700 per fortnight is tax-free (before Medicare levy). If you earn less than $700 per fortnight and claim the tax-free threshold, no income tax is withheld from your pay.
Tip: You can only claim the tax-free threshold from one employer. If you have two jobs, claim it from your main employer. Not claiming it from a second job means higher withholding on that pay, but you avoid a tax bill at the end of the year.
When to use this table vs the ATO's official tables
The ATO publishes detailed PAYG withholding tables (Schedule 1) that include precise, rounded amounts for every dollar of weekly, fortnightly, and monthly gross pay. Employers are required to use these official tables.
This fortnightly tax table 2026 reference is useful for:
- Quickly checking if your payslip withholding looks correct
- Estimating your take-home pay before starting a new job
- Budgeting based on expected fortnightly net pay
- Understanding how much of your pay goes to tax versus Medicare
Small differences of a few dollars between this table and your actual payslip are normal and result from the ATO's specific rounding methodology in their official Schedule 1 tables.
Common fortnightly pay questions
People usually land on this page to answer practical questions such as:
- How much tax should come out of my fortnightly pay?
- Why is my payslip withholding higher than expected?
- How much do I take home from $2,000, $2,500, or $3,000 per fortnight?
- Does HELP get withheld on top of normal PAYG tax?
This table is best for a fast employee check. If you need a more tailored estimate with extra variables, use the linked PAYG or pay calculators.
HELP/HECS and fortnightly withholding
If you have a HELP (Higher Education Loan Program) debt, additional amounts are withheld from your fortnightly pay once your annualised income exceeds the threshold. From 2025-26, HELP uses a marginal rate system:
- $0 - $67,000 annually: No HELP withholding
- $67,001 - $125,000: 15% on income above $67,000
- $125,001 - $179,285: $8,700 + 17% on income above $125,000
- $179,286+: 10% of total repayment income
The HELP threshold of $67,000 equates to approximately $2,577 per fortnight. If your fortnightly gross pay exceeds this amount and you have a HELP debt, your employer will withhold additional amounts. Use the PAYG Calculator to estimate withholding with HELP included.
Frequently asked questions
What is a fortnightly tax table?
A fortnightly tax table shows how much PAYG tax your employer should withhold from your fortnightly pay. The ATO publishes official tax tables that employers use to determine the correct withholding amount based on your gross earnings and TFN declaration.
How is fortnightly tax withholding calculated?
Your fortnightly gross pay is annualised (multiplied by 26), the annual income tax and 2% Medicare levy are calculated using the current tax brackets, and then the total annual tax is divided by 26 to get the fortnightly withholding amount.
What is the tax-free threshold for fortnightly pay?
The annual tax-free threshold of $18,200 equates to approximately $700 per fortnight. If you earn less than this and claim the threshold, no income tax is withheld. Most employees should claim the tax-free threshold from their primary employer.
Do I need to account for HELP/HECS debt?
Yes. If you have a HELP or other study loan debt, your employer withholds additional amounts above your regular tax. You must declare your HELP debt on your TFN declaration form. The HELP withholding starts when your annualised income exceeds $67,000 ($2,577/fortnight).
What about the Medicare levy?
The Medicare levy of 2% is included in PAYG withholding. On $3,000 fortnightly pay ($78,000 annual), the Medicare levy portion is approximately $60 per fortnight. Low-income earners below $26,000 annually may be exempt from or pay a reduced Medicare levy.
Why does my payslip differ from this table?
The ATO's official Schedule 1 tax tables include specific rounding adjustments for each dollar amount. This reference table uses the underlying tax formula, so differences of a few dollars per fortnight are normal. If the difference is large, check your TFN declaration and HELP debt status with your employer.
Where is the ATO fortnightly tax table for 2025/2026?
The official ATO table is published as withholding schedules for employers. This page is an employee reference version for 2025-26 so you can quickly estimate fortnightly PAYG and compare it against your payslip.
Tax Accuracy & Sources
Covers resident PAYG withholding estimates for standard fortnightly pay, based on current tax brackets and Medicare levy. Employer payroll software may apply ATO rounding and extra adjustments.
Uses 2025-26 ATO rates.