HVAC Salary Guide: Take-Home Pay After Tax and Medicare in Australia
The median full-time weekly earnings for airconditioning and refrigeration mechanics is $2,100, according to Jobs and Skills Australia, but actual pay depends on your award classification and employer.
HVAC Salary: What You Actually Take Home
If you work as an airconditioning or refrigeration mechanic—commonly called an HVAC technician—your pay depends on the award that covers your employer and your classification. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains that award coverage can be under the Electrical Award, Plumbing Award, Manufacturing Award, or Building and Construction Award, depending on the industry and the work you do.
Median HVAC Salary Benchmark
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time weekly earnings for airconditioning and refrigeration mechanics is $2,100. That equates to about $109,200 a year before tax and Medicare. This figure is a useful benchmark for your hvac salary discussions, but remember that your actual rate may be higher or lower based on your classification level and experience.
From Gross to Take-Home Pay
Using the Tax and Medicare rates for 2026–27, here’s how your fortnightly pay breaks down:
- Gross annual salary: $109,200
- Income tax: $23,280 (using the resident tax brackets)
- Medicare levy: $2,184 (full 2% rate applies)
- Take-home pay: $83,736 per year, or $3,221 per fortnight
This calculation excludes HELP/HECS repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging. It also assumes you are a resident for tax purposes and that your salary is quoted before super.
Superannuation and Your Pay
From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12%. If your hvac salary is advertised as a base figure, super is paid on top. If it’s a total package, super is deducted from the quoted amount. Check your employment contract to understand what you’ll actually receive. For more on how super affects your take-home, see our Super guide.
Award Classifications and Pay Rates
The Fair Work Commission publishes minimum rates for each award. For example, under the Electrical Award, a trade-qualified employee may be classified as Electrical worker grade 5 or above. Under the Manufacturing Award, a C10 classification applies. These minimums are updated each year after the Annual Wage Review. Your actual pay may be above the award rate, especially if you have experience or work overtime.
Medicare Levy Thresholds
The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income. For singles, the latest published thresholds are $28,011 (lower) and $35,013 (upper). If your income is below $28,011, you pay no levy. Between $28,011 and $35,013, the levy is phased in at 10 cents per dollar over the lower threshold. Full-time HVAC salaries are well above these thresholds, so you pay the full 2%.
Take-Home Pay Summary
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gross annual salary | $109,200 |
| Income tax | $23,280 |
| Medicare levy | $2,184 |
| Net annual take-home | $83,736 |
| Fortnightly take-home | $3,221 |
Use our Take-home pay calculator to estimate your own situation, or check the Minimum wage page for award rates.
Final Note
This estimate is a guide only and not a tax assessment. Your actual tax may differ due to deductions, offsets, or other factors. Always consult a tax professional or the Australian Taxation Office for personalised advice.
Questions
What is the typical HVAC salary in Australia?
Jobs and Skills Australia reports median full-time weekly earnings of $2,100 for airconditioning and refrigeration mechanics, which works out to about $109,200 a year before tax. However, your actual rate depends on the award that covers you—such as the Electrical Award, Plumbing Award, or Manufacturing Award—and your classification level.
How much tax and Medicare do I pay on an HVAC salary?
For a gross annual salary of $109,200 in 2026–27, you pay $23,280 in income tax plus $2,184 in Medicare levy (2% of taxable income). That leaves about $83,736 a year, or $3,221 per fortnight. The Medicare levy applies in full because your income is well above the single thresholds of $28,011 and $35,013.
Does the HVAC salary include superannuation?
Job ads often quote a salary 'plus super', meaning the 12% super guarantee is paid on top. If your salary is quoted as inclusive of super, your take-home will be lower because super is deducted from the quoted amount. Always check whether the figure is base salary or total package.