Any form of tax cut is always a welcome addition, and the personal tax cuts announced in the Federal Budget have now been passed. Although still some 14 months away, from 1 July 2026, personal income tax rates will change.
On the last sitting day of Parliament before the Federal Election was called, the personal income tax rate reduction announced in the 2025-26 Federal Budget was confirmed. The modest reduction of 1% applies to the $18,201-$45,000 tax bracket, reducing from its current rate of 16% to 15% from 1 July 2026, then to 14% from 2027-28. The saving from the tax cut represents a maximum of $268 in the 2026-27 year and $536 from the 2027-28 year.
| Thresholds |
2025 and 2026 income years |
2027 income year |
2028 income year |
| $0 – $18,200 | Tax-free | Tax-free | Tax-free |
| $18,201 – $45,000 | 16% | 15% | 14% |
| $45,001 – $135,000 | 30% | 30% | 30% |
| $135,001 – $190,000 | 37% | 37% | 37% |
| $190,001+ | 45% | 45% | 45% |
Note: With a 1 July 2026 start date, the outcome of the Federal election on 3 May 2025 and subsequent budgets will determine whether this change comes to fruition.
Further, the Medicare levy threshold is set to change for low-income earners.
Low-income earners do not pay the compulsory 2% Medicare levy until their assessable income reaches the threshold. The threshold is different depending on whether you are a single taxpayer, pensioner, and the number of children you have that are dependent on you.
Parliament has confirmed the increase to the Medicare levy threshold announced in the Federal Budget. The threshold change is backdated to 1 July 2024, which means that taxpayers will benefit when they lodge their 2024-25 tax return.