Governor-General salary: what you actually take home after tax
The Governor-General's annual salary is fixed at $709,017 by the Governor-General Act 1974, resulting in an estimated take-home pay of about $409,909 after income tax and Medicare levy for 2026-27.
Governor-General salary: the legal figure
The Governor-General's salary is not negotiated or market-driven. It is set by the Governor-General Act 1974, which currently specifies an annual sum of $709,017 payable out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund . This amount was last amended in 2024 to reflect the expected average salary of the Chief Justice of the High Court over a five-year term .
Because the salary is fixed by law, it does not vary with performance or economic conditions. For anyone curious about how this compares to other roles, our Benchmarks page shows the national minimum wage ($26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week) and average full-time earnings.
How the Governor-General salary is taxed
As an Australian resident, the Governor-General pays income tax and the Medicare levy on the full $709,017. Using the 2026-27 tax rates:
- Tax-free threshold: first $18,200 – nil tax
- $18,201 to $45,000: 15c per dollar over $18,200
- $45,001 to $135,000: $4,020 plus 30c per dollar over $45,000
- $135,001 to $190,000: $31,020 plus 37c per dollar over $135,000
- Over $190,000: $51,370 plus 45c per dollar over $190,000
For $709,017, the tax is:
$51,370 + 45% × ($709,017 – $190,000) = $51,370 + $233,557.65 = $284,927.65
The Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) does not apply at this income level.
Medicare levy
The Medicare levy is 2% of taxable income. The latest single-person thresholds ($28,011 and $35,013) mean that full-time salaries pay the full 2%. For $709,017, that's $14,180.34.
Total deductions: $284,927.65 + $14,180.34 = $299,107.99
Take-home pay: $709,017 – $299,107.99 = $409,909.01 (rounded to $409,909).
This is the amount that would reach a bank account after tax and Medicare. It does not include HELP/HECS, the Medicare levy surcharge, or salary sacrifice. For a detailed breakdown of how tax works for any salary, see our Tax and Medicare guide.
Fortnightly take-home pay
Dividing the annual take-home by 26 fortnights gives approximately $15,765 per fortnight. This is before any superannuation contributions (the Governor-General's super is separate from the salary).
Context: how the Governor-General salary compares
- National minimum wage: $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, $52,255 per year
- All employees average weekly earnings: $1,579.20 per week, $82,118 per year
- Full-time adult ordinary time earnings: $2,083.70 per week, $108,352 per year
The Governor-General's salary is about 13.6 times the minimum wage and 6.5 times the average full-time earnings. However, the role includes significant responsibilities and constitutional duties.
Important notes
This estimate is for a resident taxpayer with no other income or deductions. It uses the 2026-27 tax rates and Medicare thresholds published by the ATO. The actual tax assessment may differ due to rounding in payroll tax tables or other factors. For your own situation, use our Clearance tool to estimate take-home pay.
Questions
Does the Governor-General pay tax on their salary?
Yes, the Governor-General is an Australian resident for tax purposes and pays income tax and the Medicare levy on the $709,017 salary. There are no special exemptions. The tax is calculated using the standard 2026-27 tax rates and the full 2% Medicare levy applies because the income is well above the $35,013 threshold.
How much does the Governor-General take home each fortnight?
After deducting estimated income tax of $284,928 and Medicare levy of $14,180, the annual take-home is about $409,909. Divided by 26 fortnights, that's roughly $15,765 per fortnight. This is before any salary packaging or other deductions.
Is the Governor-General's salary adjusted for inflation or tied to another role?
The salary is set by legislation and was last increased in 2024 from $495,000 to $709,017. The figure was calculated to moderately exceed the expected average salary of the Chief Justice of the High Court over a five-year term. Future changes require an amendment to the Governor-General Act 1974.