Salary sacrifice vs HELP repayment 2025-26 Australia
Quick answer: salary sacrifice can still reduce income tax, but it usually does not reduce compulsory HELP repayments because reportable employer super contributions are generally included in HELP repayment income.
Why this trips people up
- For income tax, salary sacrifice reduces taxable salary.
- For HELP, salary sacrifice is generally added back into repayment income.
- The result is a split outcome: tax falls, but HELP often does not.
Example: sacrificing $5,000.00
| Salary | Approx income-tax saving | Estimated HELP repayment | Decision read |
|---|---|---|---|
| $70,000.00 | $1,600.00 | $450.00 | Tax improves; HELP is still based on repayment income rather than the lower taxable income. |
| $90,000.00 | $1,600.00 | $3,450.00 | Tax improves; HELP is still based on repayment income rather than the lower taxable income. |
| $120,000.00 | $1,600.00 | $7,950.00 | Tax improves; HELP is still based on repayment income rather than the lower taxable income. |
When the move still makes sense
- You want to move more money into super and the concessional cap still has room.
- You care more about long-term super accumulation than current HELP cashflow.
- Your marginal tax rate is high enough that the income-tax saving is still material.
Run the sacrifice calculator
Compare take-home pay and super outcomes with your own salary and contribution amount.
Review HELP thresholds
Check the current trigger points and band changes before adjusting your payroll settings.
Test full take-home pay
Use the pay calculator if you want salary sacrifice, HELP and MLS in one combined estimate.
FAQ
Does salary sacrifice reduce HELP repayments?
Usually no. Salary sacrifice to super is generally included in HELP repayment income, so it may reduce income tax while leaving compulsory HELP repayments largely unchanged.
Why does salary sacrifice still improve cashflow if HELP does not move?
Salary sacrifice lowers taxable income for income tax and Medicare purposes, so you still save tax even when the HELP calculation does not fall.
What should I compare before increasing salary sacrifice?
Check your concessional cap, your near-term cashflow, and whether your real goal is lower tax, lower HELP withholding, or both.
Tax Accuracy & Sources
This page explains the common 2025-26 salary sacrifice versus HELP cashflow trade-off for employees. Individual payroll and repayment-income details can vary.