Financial Planner Salary in Australia: What You Take Home After Tax

Financial Planner Salary: What You Actually Take Home

If you're working as a financial planner in Australia, you know that your salary can vary significantly depending on your experience, the type of practice you work for, and whether you have your own client book. But what really matters to your budget is the amount that lands in your bank account after tax and the Medicare levy. This guide uses the latest publicly available data to help you estimate your take-home pay.

What the Data Shows

Two reputable sources give different pictures of the financial planner salary landscape. Both are useful, but you need to understand what they measure.

PayScale

PayScale reports an average base salary of AU$96,947 for a financial planner, with a range from $62,000 to $146,000. This data is based on 62 salary profiles updated in July 2026. Entry-level planners earn around $57,885 total compensation, while those with 1–4 years of experience average $76,234. PayScale's figures include bonuses and overtime in total pay.

CareerTips

CareerTips uses official Jobs and Skills Australia data and shows a median full-time salary of $134,300 for 2024, with an estimated $143,000 for 2026. Their projections use the ABS Wage Price Index growth rate of 3.2% (June quarter 2026). They note that pay depends heavily on your work model: salaried advisers in banks or industry super funds earn a fixed package, while planners with their own client book earn fees based on funds under management.

For this guide, we'll use the CareerTips median estimate of $143,000 as a realistic figure for an experienced financial planner. If you're earlier in your career, your salary may be closer to the PayScale range.

Calculating Your Take-Home Pay

To work out what you actually receive after tax and the Medicare levy, you need to apply the 2026-27 tax rates and the 2% Medicare levy. The following example uses a $143,000 annual salary.

Tax Rates for 2026-27

For Australian residents aged 18 and over, the tax 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
• $190,001 and over: $51,370 plus 45c for each $1 over $190,000

These rates are from the Australian Taxation Office via . The Medicare levy of 2% applies to most taxpayers, though lower-income earners may have a reduced rate or exemption.

Medicare Levy Thresholds

The latest single-person Medicare levy thresholds are $28,011 (lower) and $35,013 (upper). If your taxable income is below $28,011, you pay no Medicare levy. Between $28,011 and $35,013, you pay 10c per dollar over the lower threshold. Above $35,013, you pay the full 2%. For a $143,000 salary, you pay the full 2%.

Example: $143,000 Financial Planner Salary

• Taxable income: $143,000
• Tax on first $135,000: $31,020
• Tax on remaining $8,000 ($143,000 – $135,000) at 37c: $2,960
• Total income tax: $33,980
• Medicare levy (2% of $143,000): $2,860
• Total tax and Medicare: $36,840
• Annual take-home pay: $106,160
• Fortnightly take-home (26 fortnights): $4,083
• Weekly take-home (52 weeks): $2,041

This is before any tax offsets like the Low Income Tax Offset (LITO), which phases out completely by $66,667, so it doesn't apply here. It also excludes HELP/HECS repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary sacrifice arrangements.

Factors That Affect Your Net Pay

Your actual take-home pay may differ due to:

• Salary packaging: You can reduce your taxable income by sacrificing salary into super or other benefits. This lowers your tax and Medicare, but also reduces your cash salary.
• Superannuation: The super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026. If your salary is quoted as "plus super," your employer pays super on top, and your take-home is based on the salary figure. If your salary is "including super," the super is deducted from your pay.
• Deductions: Work-related expenses can reduce your taxable income, but you need to keep records.
• Medicare levy surcharge: If you don't have appropriate private hospital cover and your income exceeds certain thresholds, you may pay an extra 1% to 1.5%.

For a more personalised estimate, use our Take-home pay calculator, and check the Tax and Medicare guide for the latest thresholds.