Income Tax in Australian Capital Territory
The ACT has Australia's highest median income, driven by the concentration of federal government and public service roles. Canberra's workforce is heavily white-collar, with higher-than-average rates of tertiary education and professional qualifications.
Tax Rates Apply Nationally
Australian income tax rates are set federally and apply the same in every state. Whether you earn $85,000 in Canberra or anywhere else in Australia, your income tax, Medicare levy, and HELP repayments are identical. There is no state income tax in Australia — unlike the US, where state taxes vary significantly.
For FY 2026–27, the brackets are: $0–$18,200 at 0% (tax-free threshold), $18,201–$45,000 at 15%, $45,001–$135,000 at 30%, $135,001–$190,000 at 37%, and $190,001+ at 45%. The 2% Medicare levy applies on top.
ACT-Specific Considerations
With a median around $100,000, many ACT workers are in the 30% bracket and approaching the 37% threshold at $135,000. Public sector workers often have higher employer super contributions (15.4% for Commonwealth employees under CSS/PSS) — make sure you account for this in your total package calculation.
Median Salary in Australian Capital Territory
The median full-time salary in Australian Capital Territory is approximately $100,000. At this income, you'd pay roughly 22-24% in combined tax and Medicare, taking home around $65,000–$75,000 per year after deductions.
Use our Income Tax Calculator for a detailed bracket-by-bracket breakdown, or the Take-Home Pay Calculator for a quick answer. For your complete financial picture, try the Financial Snapshot.