How the average AFL salary stacks up after tax: a guide to comparing job offers
The average AFL salary in 2025 was $505,961, but after income tax and the Medicare levy, the take-home amount is significantly lower.
Why after-tax pay matters when comparing job offers
When you receive a job offer, the headline salary can be misleading. What actually lands in your bank account depends on income tax, the Medicare levy, and whether the figure is quoted as a package including superannuation. This guide uses the average AFL salary as a benchmark to show how to compare offers on a take-home basis.
What is the average AFL salary?
According to the AFL’s annual report, the average gross player payment in 2024 was $459,173 . By 2025, that figure rose to $505,961, driven by the 2023–2027 collective bargaining agreement . These figures are total player payments, which include employer superannuation contributions. For a typical employee, a salary quoted “plus super” means the super is on top of the cash salary. In AFL reporting, the total payment often includes super, so the cash component is lower.
Calculating take-home pay for the average AFL salary
Using the 2026–27 tax rates, a resident earning $505,961 in taxable income would pay:
- Income tax: $51,370 plus 45¢ for every dollar over $190,000 = $193,552
- Low Income Tax Offset: Reduced to $0 at this income level
- Medicare levy: 2% of $505,961 = $10,119 (full rate applies as income exceeds the single threshold of $35,013)
- Total deductions: $203,671
- Take-home pay: $302,289 per year, or about $11,626 per fortnight
This calculation assumes no HELP/HECS debt, no Medicare levy surcharge, and no salary sacrifice. The actual amount may vary based on your personal circumstances.
How the average AFL salary compares to other benchmarks
| Benchmark | Annual gross | Estimated take-home (single, no HELP) |
|---|---|---|
| National minimum wage ($26.44/hr) | $52,255 | $41,800 |
| All employees average weekly earnings | $82,118 | $63,100 |
| Full-time adult ordinary time earnings | $108,352 | $80,800 |
| Average AFL salary (2025) | $505,961 | $302,289 |
Take-home figures are approximate and based on 2026–27 rates. See our Take-home pay guide for a detailed calculator.
What this means for your job search
When comparing offers, always ask:
- Is the salary plus super or inclusive of super? The average AFL salary includes super, so the cash component is about 89% of the headline figure (since the super guarantee is 12%).
- What is the after-tax amount? Use the tax tables to estimate your take-home. A $100,000 offer plus super gives you about $77,000 take-home; a $100,000 package inclusive of super gives you about $68,000 take-home.
- What other benefits are included? Salary packaging, car allowances, and bonuses can change your tax position.
For more context on how your pay compares to national averages, visit our Average pay page.
The Medicare levy and thresholds
The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income, but you may pay a reduced rate if your income is below the single thresholds of $28,011 and $35,013. For full-time salaries like the average AFL salary, the full 2% applies. The levy is not a separate tax – it’s collected through your employer’s PAYG withholding.
Final thoughts
The average AFL salary is a useful benchmark for understanding top-end earnings in Australia, but remember that after tax, the take-home is roughly 60% of the headline figure. When evaluating any job offer, focus on the amount that will reach your bank account each fortnight. Use our Tax and Medicare guide to run your own estimates.
Disclaimer: This is a resident estimate only. It excludes HELP/HECS, the Medicare levy surcharge, salary sacrifice, and payroll tax-table rounding. Not an assessment.
Questions
How much tax does an AFL player on the average salary pay?
Using 2026–27 rates, a player earning $505,961 would pay about $193,552 in income tax (after the Low Income Tax Offset phases out) plus $10,119 in Medicare levy, leaving around $302,289 take-home pay. This assumes the entire amount is taxable income and does not account for salary packaging or deductions.
How does the average AFL salary compare to the national minimum wage?
The national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week, equating to $52,255 per year for a full-time worker. The average AFL salary is nearly ten times that figure, but the after-tax difference is smaller due to progressive tax rates.
What is the after-tax take-home pay for the average AFL salary?
After income tax and the Medicare levy, the estimated take-home pay for the average AFL salary of $505,961 is approximately $302,289 per year. This is about $11,626 per fortnight, compared to the minimum wage take-home of roughly $1,600 per fortnight.