What a draftsperson salary means for your take-home pay

Understanding your draftsperson salary

Your draftsperson salary is not a single fixed figure. It depends on the modern award that covers your job, your classification level, and your employer's enterprise agreement or individual agreement. Fair Work Ombudsman shows pay guides for each award, and the Fair Work Commission publishes the Modern Awards Pay Database with minimum rates, allowances, and penalty rates. For example, a draftsperson under the Manufacturing Award may have a different base rate than one under the Professional Employees Award. Always check your specific classification.

What changes your fortnightly pay

Your take-home pay each fortnight depends on three main factors: the tax brackets, the Medicare levy, and super. The tax brackets for 2026–27 are: nil up to $18,200, then 15c per dollar up to $45,000, then 30c up to $135,000. The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income once you earn above $35,013 (the upper threshold). The lower threshold is $28,011; between these amounts the levy is phased in at 10c per dollar. Full-time salaries pay the full 2%.

Super is not deducted from your pay if your salary is quoted as 'plus super'. The super guarantee rate is 12% from 1 July 2026, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. If your salary is 'including super', then super is part of your total package and reduces your take-home pay.

Tax brackets and the Medicare levy

Your employer uses the ATO's PAYG withholding tables to calculate tax each fortnight. The tax brackets are progressive: the first $18,200 is tax-free, then 15c per $1 up to $45,000, then 30c up to $135,000. The Medicare levy adds 2% once you earn over $35,013. The Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) can reduce tax for incomes up to $66,667, but it cannot reduce tax below zero.

For example, if your annual draftsperson salary is $70,000, your tax would be: $4,020 + 30c per $1 over $45,000 = $4,020 + $7,500 = $11,520. Medicare levy: $70,000 × 2% = $1,400. Total tax and levy: $12,920. Fortnightly tax withholding would be about $497. But this is an estimate only; use the ATO's tax tables for exact amounts.

Super and your take-home pay

Super is not deducted from your pay if your salary is quoted as 'plus super'. That means your employer pays 12% on top of your salary. If your salary is 'including super', then super is part of your total package and your take-home pay is lower. For a draftsperson salary of $80,000 plus super, your employer pays $9,600 into your super fund, and your take-home pay is based on $80,000. If the salary is $80,000 including super, your base salary is about $71,429 and super is $8,571, so your take-home is lower.

Using the right pay guide

To find your exact minimum rate, go to the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guides or the Fair Work Commission Modern Awards Pay Database. They contain the calculated minimum rates, allowances, overtime, and penalty rates. Your award may also have classification definitions that match your duties. If your employer has an enterprise agreement, the agreement rates apply as long as they are not less than the award.

For more on how tax and Medicare affect your pay, see Take-home pay and Tax and Medicare.

Summary

Your draftsperson salary is not a single number. It varies by award, classification, and agreement. Your fortnightly take-home pay is affected by tax brackets, the Medicare levy, and whether super is included or on top. Use the official sources to check your rate and estimate your deductions.