Thrivelance Tools
See what salary sacrificing into super really costs you. Because contributions are taxed at just 15% inside super, giving up some take-home pay usually adds more to your balance than it costs you in cash. 2025-26 rates.
Figures update as you type.
Take-home after sacrifice
$0
Extra into super (net)
$0
Net benefit
$0
Super gained minus cash given up.
| Take-home before sacrifice | |
| Reduction in take-home | |
| Income tax saved | |
| 15% contributions tax (in super) | |
| Total concessional contributions |
You agree with your employer to redirect part of your pre-tax salary into super. That money is taxed at the concessional 15% rate inside super instead of your marginal income tax rate, which is why it can boost your retirement savings efficiently.
Concessional (pre-tax) contributions are capped at $30,000 a year, and that includes your employer's 12% super guarantee. Going over means the excess is taxed at your marginal rate, so check the total before sacrificing a large amount.
If your income plus concessional contributions tops $250,000, an extra 15% Division 293 tax applies to those contributions — still often below your marginal rate, but worth factoring in. This tool flags it for you.
Check your standard take-home in the Australia Salary Calculator, or if you run a business, estimate your quarterly GST with the BAS & GST Calculator.
Common questions about this calculator.
Usually, if you earn above $45,000. Sacrificed pay is taxed at 15% inside super rather than your marginal rate of 32% or more, so the amount added to super is typically larger than the take-home pay you give up. This calculator shows the exact net benefit.
Concessional (pre-tax) contributions are capped at $30,000 for 2025-26, and this cap includes your employer's compulsory super guarantee. Sacrificing more than the headroom means the excess is taxed at your marginal rate.
Yes, but by less than the amount sacrificed, because you save the income tax that would have applied to it. For example, sacrificing $15,000 on a $100,000 salary cuts take-home by around $10,200 while adding $12,750 to super.
If your income plus concessional contributions exceeds $250,000, an additional 15% Division 293 tax applies to your concessional contributions. It still usually leaves super taxed below your marginal rate. The calculator flags when it applies.
Yes. The 12% super guarantee your employer pays counts toward the $30,000 concessional cap, so your available salary-sacrifice room is the cap minus your employer contributions.
