School counsellor salary: what you take home after tax and Medicare

School counsellor salary in NSW public schools

If you are considering a career as a school counsellor in New South Wales public schools, your pay is set by the Crown Employees (Teachers in Schools and Related Employees) Salaries and Conditions Award. According to the award, the school counsellor salary scale ranges from SC1 at $95,317 per year to SC5 at $140,502, with an Advanced Certification level at $151,742. These figures are effective from 9 October 2023, as published by the NSW Department of Education . Your exact salary depends on your level of registration with the Psychology Board and your accreditation with NESA.

How your fortnightly take-home is calculated

Your take-home pay is the amount that reaches your bank account after income tax and the Medicare levy. Superannuation is not deducted from your salary; it is paid on top by your employer. So when you see a salary figure, it is usually before tax and before super. To estimate your fortnightly pay, you need to apply the 2026–27 tax rates and the Medicare levy.

Tax brackets and the Medicare levy

For the 2026–27 tax year, the resident tax rates are:

• Nil on the first $18,200
• 15c per $1 over $18,200 up to $45,000
• $4,020 plus 30c per $1 over $45,000 up to $135,000
• $31,020 plus 37c per $1 over $135,000 up to $190,000
• $51,370 plus 45c per $1 over $190,000

The Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) can reduce tax for lower incomes, but most school counsellors earn above the phase-out range. The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income. The latest single-person thresholds are $28,011 and $35,013. If your taxable income is above $35,013, you pay the full 2%. For a school counsellor on SC1 ($95,317), the tax estimate is:

• Tax on $95,317: $4,020 + 0.30 × ($95,317 – $45,000) = $4,020 + $15,095.10 = $19,115.10
• Medicare levy: 2% × $95,317 = $1,906.34
• Total deductions: $21,021.44
• Annual take-home: $95,317 – $21,021.44 = $74,295.56
• Fortnightly take-home: $74,295.56 ÷ 26 = $2,857.52 (rounded)

This is an estimate only. Your actual tax may vary due to HELP/HECS, the Medicare levy surcharge, or salary packaging. Use the Take-home pay guide to calculate your own figures.

Superannuation is separate

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% on earnings up to $270,830. Your employer pays this on top of your salary. For example, on a $95,317 salary, your employer contributes an additional $11,438.04 to your super fund. This does not reduce your take-home pay. When comparing job offers, remember that the advertised salary is often “plus super”. Your total remuneration package is higher, but your fortnightly bank deposit is only the after-tax amount.

Estimating your after-tax pay

To get a precise estimate for your specific situation, use the Take-home pay tool. You can also review the Tax and Medicare rates to understand how brackets and the levy affect your pay. The key takeaway is that your fortnightly amount changes as you move through tax brackets and as the Medicare levy applies. For a school counsellor salary at the top of the scale (SC5 $140,502), the tax bracket shifts to 37c per $1 over $135,000, and the Medicare levy remains 2%. Your take-home will be proportionally higher, but the marginal tax rate increases.

Remember that salary packaging options are available under the award, such as salary sacrifice to super. This can reduce your taxable income and increase your take-home pay, but it must be cost-neutral for the employer. Check with your employer’s salary packaging guidelines.