Asia-Pacific ยท AUD
Moving to Australia: salary, tax and cost of living
What a job offer in Australia is actually worth once income tax, mandatory contributions, rent and everyday costs are taken out. Figures below are the same ones ReloIQ uses to score a real comparison.
Compare your offer- Income tax
- Progressive PIT up to 45% + Medicare levy
- Currency
- AUD (A$)
- Purchasing power
- Good, expensive metro markets
- Healthcare
- Public-private hybrid
How take-home pay works in Australia
Tax structure: Progressive PIT up to 45% + Medicare levy
That matters because relocation decisions are usually made on the gross number, while your actual standard of living depends on what lands in your account after deductions. Large cities can erase headline salary gains quickly.
What your money buys
Purchasing power: Good, expensive metro markets
ReloIQ applies a purchasing power factor of 0.71, sourced from World Bank data for 2025, which converts a headline salary into comparable living standards rather than a raw exchange rate.
Local cost pressure: Rent-heavy in Sydney
Who a move to Australia suits
Best for: High salary offers with lifestyle upside
The most common mistake is comparing the offered number against a current salary without adjusting for tax structure and housing, which is exactly what the comparison tool corrects for.
Monthly costs
Cities in Australia
Typical monthly figures for a practical newcomer budget, in AUD. Rent assumes a standard one-bedroom rather than a shared or luxury unit.
| City | Rent | Groceries | Transport | Cost index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne | A$ 2,200 | A$ 560 | A$ 160 | 76 |
| Sydney | A$ 2,950 | A$ 600 | A$ 180 | 80 |
Within Australia, Sydney runs the highest cost index at 80 while Melbourne sits at 76. A single offer can therefore be comfortable in one city and tight in another, so compare against the city you would actually live in.
Before you accept
Large cities can erase headline salary gains quickly.
Enter your current salary and the Australia offer to see net pay, monthly savings and a purchasing-power verdict for both sides. Free, no account needed.
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Figures are modelled estimates for comparison, not tax advice. Individual liability depends on residency status, allowances, dependants and employer arrangements.