AFL player salary after tax: what you actually take home

AFL player salary: the big picture

When you hear an afl player salary figure quoted, it's usually the gross amount before tax and Medicare. The AFL's 2024 total player payments report shows the average gross earnings for a listed player reached $459,173, with 25 players earning over $1 million . But what lands in your bank account each fortnight is a different story.

How tax brackets affect your take-home

Australia uses a progressive tax system. For 2026–27, the rates from the Australian Taxation Office are:

• $0–$18,200: Nil
• $18,201–$45,000: 16c for each $1 over $18,200
• $45,001–$135,000: $4,288 plus 30c for each $1 over $45,000
• $135,001–$190,000: $31,288 plus 37c for each $1 over $135,000
• $190,001 and over: $51,638 plus 45c for each $1 over $190,000

Let's apply this to two common AFL salary levels.

Rookie or first-year player – the 2026 CBA sets a minimum base payment of $105,000 for senior-listed players . On that gross:

• Tax: $4,288 + 30c × ($105,000 – $45,000) = $4,288 + $18,000 = $22,288
• Medicare levy: 2% × $105,000 = $2,100
• Low Income Tax Offset (LITO): $325 – 1.5c × ($105,000 – $45,000) = $325 – $900 = $0
• Total deductions: $24,388
• Take-home: $80,612 per year, or about $3,100 per fortnight

Average AFL player – $459,173 gross:

• Tax: $51,638 + 45c × ($459,173 – $190,000) = $51,638 + $121,127.85 = $172,765.85
• Medicare levy: 2% × $459,173 = $9,183.46
• LITO: $0 (income too high)
• Total deductions: $181,949.31
• Take-home: $277,223.69 per year, or about $10,662 per fortnight

These are estimates only – your actual tax may vary with deductions, HELP repayments, or salary packaging. Use our Take-home pay calculator for a personalised figure.

The Medicare levy and what it means for you

The Medicare levy is a flat 2% on taxable income for most full-time workers. The latest single-person thresholds are $28,011 and $35,013. If you earn above $35,013, you pay the full 2%. Every AFL player on a senior list will exceed that, so the levy applies to your entire salary. It's collected through PAYG withholding, so you never see it in your pocket.

Superannuation and your total package

AFL clubs are required to pay super at 12% of your gross salary from 1 July 2026. This is on top of the quoted salary figure – it's not deducted from your take-home. For a player on $459,173, the club would contribute an extra $55,100.80 to your super fund. That money is preserved until retirement, so it doesn't affect your fortnightly cash flow.

Remember: the reported afl player salary is your gross earnings. Your take-home is what remains after tax and Medicare. For a deeper look at how brackets and levies work, see our Tax and Medicare guide.