Average NRL player salary: what you actually take home after tax and Medicare

Understanding the average NRL player salary

If you’ve seen headlines about the average NRL player salary, you might think players are taking home $400,000 a year. But that number is the gross salary – what you earn before tax, the Medicare levy, and other deductions. What actually lands in your bank account is significantly less.

According to The Conversation, the average NRL player salary is about $400,000 per year for 2027, based on the league’s salary cap projections. The NRL salary cap will reach $12.1 million per club by 2027, with minimum wages rising to $150,000. But these are all gross figures.

From gross to take-home: the tax breakdown

Let’s take that $400,000 average NRL player salary and apply the 2026–27 tax rates. The Australian Taxation Office sets these brackets:

• $0 – $18,200: nil
• $18,201 – $45,000: 15c for each $1 over $18,200
• $45,001 – $135,000: $4,020 plus 30c for each $1 over $45,000
• $135,001 – $190,000: $31,020 plus 37c for each $1 over $135,000
• $190,001+: $51,370 plus 45c for each $1 over $190,000

On $400,000, your income tax would be roughly $51,370 plus 45c on the $210,000 above $190,000 = $51,370 + $94,500 = $145,870. Then add the Medicare levy: 2% of $400,000 = $8,000 (full rate, since $400,000 is well above the $35,013 single threshold). Total deductions: $153,870. Take-home pay: about $246,130.

That’s a big difference from $400,000. And remember, this is before any salary sacrifice, HELP/HECS repayments, or the Medicare levy surcharge (if applicable).

The mix-up: salary vs package vs take-home

Many people confuse the average NRL player salary with what a player actually receives. The $400,000 figure is the base playing fee included in the salary cap. But players can earn additional income outside the cap – from corporate sponsors, appearances, or media work – which is not included in that average. Also, superannuation (12% from July 2026) is paid on top of the salary, not deducted from it. So a $400,000 salary means the club pays $48,000 into super, but that money isn’t accessible until retirement.

When you see “average NRL player salary”, think of it as the gross amount before tax, Medicare, and any other deductions. Your take-home pay is what you can spend.

How the salary cap works

The NRL salary cap for 2027 is $12.1 million per club for the top 30 players. That includes base salary, motor vehicle allowances, and veteran/developed player allowances. The minimum wage for a top-30 player will be $150,000 by 2027. But the average NRL player salary is pulled up by the top earners – some players like Dylan Brown earn over $1 million a year.

For most players, the average NRL player salary is a useful benchmark, but your individual take-home depends on your exact contract and tax situation.

What about the Medicare levy?

The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income, with no reduction for high earners. The latest published single-person thresholds are $28,011 and $35,013 – below these you pay a reduced rate or nothing. But on an average NRL player salary of $400,000, you pay the full 2%.

Key takeaways

• The average NRL player salary is about $400,000 gross per year.
• After income tax and Medicare levy, take-home is roughly $246,000.
• Superannuation is extra (12% from July 2026) and not part of take-home.
• Players can earn additional income outside the salary cap.

For more on how your pay works, see our Take-home pay guide and Tax and Medicare page.