Comparing Job Offers: Why the Josh Giddey Salary Isn't What You Take Home
The pay for Josh Giddey varies and is not publicly confirmed; this guide uses it as an example to illustrate the difference between gross and net pay.
Introduction
When you receive a job offer, the headline figure can be eye-catching. But what really matters is the amount that lands in your bank account each fortnight after tax and the Medicare levy. Even a high-profile salary like Josh Giddey's – often reported in the millions – is subject to the same withholding rules. This guide shows you how to compare offers by focusing on take-home pay, using the latest 2026-27 tax rates and Medicare thresholds.
Understanding Gross vs Net Pay
Your gross salary is the amount before any deductions. The key deductions for most employees are:
- Income tax – calculated on a sliding scale by the Australian Taxation Office.
- Medicare levy – 2% of your taxable income, with reduced rates for low earners.
- Superannuation – your employer must contribute 12% of your ordinary time earnings (from 1 July 2026) into a super fund. This is not deducted from your take-home pay if the salary is quoted as 'plus super'.
Tax rates for 2026-27 (residents)
| Taxable income | Tax on this income |
|---|---|
| $0 – $18,200 | Nil |
| $18,201 – $45,000 | 15c for each $1 over $18,200 |
| $45,001 – $135,000 | $4,020 plus 30c for each $1 over $45,000 |
| $135,001 – $190,000 | $31,020 plus 37c for each $1 over $135,000 |
| $190,001 and over | $51,370 plus 45c for each $1 over $190,000 |
You may also be eligible for the Low Income Tax Offset (LITO), which reduces tax by up to $700 for incomes below $37,500, then phases out.
Medicare levy thresholds
The latest published single-person Medicare thresholds are $28,011 and $35,013. If you earn below $28,011, you pay no levy. Between $28,011 and $35,013, the levy is 10c per dollar over the lower threshold. Above $35,013, you pay the full 2%.
The Impact on Your Take-Home Pay
Let's look at two benchmarks from Fair Work and the ABS:
- National minimum wage: $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or $52,255 per year (38-hour week, 52 weeks).
- Full-time adult ordinary time earnings: $2,083.70 per week, or $108,352 per year.
Example: Minimum wage earner
Gross annual: $52,255
Tax: $0 on first $18,200, then 15c on $26,800 = $4,020, then 30c on $7,255 = $2,176.50. Total tax = $6,196.50.
LITO: $700 (since income below $37,500 phase-out threshold). Net tax = $5,496.50.
Medicare levy: Full 2% on $52,255 = $1,045.10 (income above $35,013).
Total deductions: $6,541.60.
Take-home pay: $45,713.40 per year, or about $1,758 per fortnight.
Example: Average full-time earner
Gross annual: $108,352
Tax: $4,020 on first $45,000, then 30c on $63,352 = $19,005.60. Total tax = $23,025.60.
LITO: $325 minus 1.5c per $1 over $45,000 = $325 – $950.28 = $0 (phased out completely).
Medicare levy: 2% of $108,352 = $2,167.04.
Total deductions: $25,192.64.
Take-home pay: $83,159.36 per year, or about $3,198 per fortnight.
How to Compare Job Offers Using Take-Home Pay
When you receive multiple offers, follow these steps:
Confirm whether the salary is 'plus super' or 'including super'. If it's plus super, the employer adds 12% on top. If it's including super, the super is part of the quoted figure – your cash salary is lower.
Use the Take-home pay calculator on this site to estimate your net income after tax and Medicare.
Consider salary packaging options – some employers allow you to sacrifice part of your salary for benefits like a car or additional super, which can reduce your taxable income. See our Salary packaging guide.
Check the award or enterprise agreement – minimum pay rates under awards may be higher than the national minimum wage. Fair Work provides a Pay and Conditions Tool for this.
The Josh Giddey Salary Example
You may have seen headlines about Josh Giddey's salary – reported figures vary widely and are not publicly confirmed. But the principle is the same for any job offer: the gross figure is not what you take home. For a multi-million dollar contract, the top marginal tax rate of 45c per dollar applies above $190,000, plus the 2% Medicare levy. Even with deductions and offsets, the take-home proportion shrinks significantly at higher incomes.
When you see a headline like "Josh Giddey salary $X million", remember that the player's bank account receives less after tax, agent fees, and super contributions. The same logic applies to your own offer – always convert gross to net before comparing.
Conclusion
Focusing on take-home pay helps you make an apples-to-apples comparison between job offers. Use our Tax and Medicare guide for detailed calculations, and remember that super is not deducted from your pocket if it's paid on top. Whether you're earning the minimum wage or a figure like the Josh Giddey salary, the after-tax amount is what funds your lifestyle.
Questions
How do I calculate my take-home pay from a job offer?
Start with the annual gross salary, subtract income tax using the 2026-27 rates (nil up to $18,200, then 15c, 30c, etc.), subtract the Medicare levy of 2% (unless you qualify for a reduction below $35,013), and add any tax offsets like the Low Income Tax Offset. The result is your after-tax income. Divide by 26 for fortnightly pay.
What is the Medicare levy and how does it affect my salary?
The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income, collected as part of your tax. If you earn below $28,011, you pay no levy; between $28,011 and $35,013, the levy is phased in at 10c per dollar over the lower threshold. Above $35,013, you pay the full 2%.
Does the Josh Giddey salary include superannuation?
Typically, high-profile athlete salaries are reported as total compensation including endorsements, but superannuation (12% from July 2026) is often separate. When comparing job offers, check whether the quoted salary is 'plus super' or 'including super'. Super is not deducted from your take-home pay if it's paid on top.