Counsellor salary: what you take home after tax and Medicare
The median full-time counsellor salary is $1,477 per week before tax, which after income tax and Medicare levy gives an estimated take-home of about $1,187 per week (or $2,374 per fortnight) for a full-time employee.
Counsellor salary: median earnings and take-home pay
If you're a counsellor in Australia, your counsellor salary depends on your specialisation, experience and whether you work full-time or part-time. According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time counsellor earns $1,477 per week before tax. That works out to about $76,804 a year for a full-time worker (based on 52 weeks).
But what actually lands in your bank account? After income tax and the Medicare levy, your take-home pay is lower. This guide walks through the key deductions so you know what to expect each fortnight.
How tax brackets affect your fortnight
Australia uses a progressive tax system. For the 2026–27 tax year, the rates are:
- $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
- Over $190,000: $51,370 plus 45c for each $1 over $190,000
For a counsellor earning the median $76,804, the tax calculation is:
- First $18,200: $0 tax
- Next $26,800 (up to $45,000): 15c = $4,020
- Remaining $31,804: 30c = $9,541.20
- Total income tax: $13,561.20
The Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) doesn't apply at this income level because it phases out completely by $66,667. So your annual tax is $13,561.
Medicare levy and thresholds
The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income. For a $76,804 counsellor salary, that's $1,536 a year. The latest published single-person Medicare thresholds are $28,011 and $35,013. If you earn below $28,011, you pay no levy. Between $28,011 and $35,013, you pay a reduced rate (10c per $1 over the lower threshold). Full-time counsellors almost always earn above $35,013, so you pay the full 2%.
Combined, tax and Medicare take about $15,097 from your annual salary. That leaves a take-home of roughly $61,707 per year, or $1,187 per week ($2,374 per fortnight).
Superannuation and salary packaging
Super is not deducted from your take-home pay if your salary is quoted as 'plus super'. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% on top of your salary. So if your employer pays you $76,804, they also contribute $9,216 to your super fund. That money is locked away until retirement.
Some counsellors use salary packaging to reduce their taxable income – for example, by packaging a car or laptop. This can lower your tax and Medicare levy, increasing your take-home pay. However, the figures above assume no salary sacrifice.
Part-time and casual counsellors
Only 60% of counsellors work full-time. If you work part-time, your weekly pay will be lower, and your tax and Medicare levy adjust accordingly. The median hourly earnings for counsellors are $39 per hour (from Jobs and Skills Australia). Use the Clearance tool to estimate your own take-home pay based on your hours and income.
Summary
For a full-time counsellor on the median $1,477 per week:
- Annual salary: $76,804
- Income tax: $13,561
- Medicare levy: $1,536
- Take-home pay: $61,707 per year ($1,187 per week)
Remember, this is an estimate. Your actual take-home depends on your exact income, whether you have HELP/HECS debt, and any salary packaging. For more details, see Take-home pay and Tax and Medicare.
Questions
How is the counsellor salary figure of $1,477 per week calculated?
Jobs and Skills Australia reports the median weekly earnings for full-time non-managerial counsellors as $1,477. This is before tax and super. It comes from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2023, and is the most recent publicly available benchmark for the occupation.
Does the Medicare levy reduce my take-home pay if I earn a counsellor salary?
Yes. The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income. For a full-time counsellor earning $1,477 per week (about $76,804 a year), the levy is about $1,536 a year. If your income is below the single lower threshold of $28,011, you pay no levy; between $28,011 and $35,013 you pay a reduced rate. Most full-time counsellors earn well above these thresholds.
Is superannuation deducted from the counsellor salary figure?
No. The $1,477 median weekly earnings is before super. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% on top of your salary. So if your salary is quoted as 'plus super', your employer adds 12% to your pay for super, and your take-home pay is based on the salary figure alone. If your salary is quoted as 'including super', then super is deducted from that amount before you receive the rest as take-home.