Personal assistant salary: what you take home after tax in 2026–27
The median full-time personal assistant salary is $1,832 per week ($95,264 per year) before tax. After income tax and the Medicare levy, a resident personal assistant earning this amount would take home about $1,428 per week or $2,856 per fortnight.
Understanding your personal assistant salary
If you work as a personal assistant in Australia, your gross pay is just one part of the picture. What matters most is the amount that lands in your bank account after tax and the Medicare levy. This guide uses the latest official data to show you how a typical personal assistant salary translates into take-home pay.
The benchmark: median weekly earnings
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time personal assistant earns $1,832 per week before tax. That works out to about $95,264 a year. The occupation is overwhelmingly female (97%) and the median age is 43. Most work full-time (72%), averaging 41 hours per week. These figures come from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025.
If you are paid under an award, your minimum rate may be different. The Fair Work Ombudsman sets the National Minimum Wage at $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week (from 1 July 2026). Many personal assistants are covered by awards such as the Clerks – Private Sector Award or the Professional Employees Award. You can check your exact rate using the Minimum wage guide.
From gross to net: tax and Medicare
For the 2026–27 tax year, Australian residents pay income tax on a sliding scale. On a $95,264 salary:
- $0 – $18,200: no tax
- $18,201 – $45,000: 15c for each dollar over $18,200 ($4,020)
- $45,001 – $95,264: 30c for each dollar over $45,000 ($15,079.20)
Total income tax = $19,099.20.
The Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) phases out completely above $66,667, so it does not apply here.
Next, the Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income. Because your earnings exceed the single upper threshold of $35,013, you pay the full levy: $1,905.28.
Total deductions = $21,004.48.
Your estimated take-home pay
After subtracting tax and Medicare, your annual net pay is approximately $74,260. That breaks down to:
- $1,428 per week
- $2,856 per fortnight
- $6,188 per month (based on 52 weeks ÷ 12)
Remember, this is a resident estimate only. It excludes HELP/HECS repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, salary sacrifice, and payroll tax-table rounding. Use the Take-home pay calculator for a personalised result.
Superannuation is on top
Employer super contributions are not deducted from your salary. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. So on a $95,264 salary, your employer adds an extra $11,431.68 to your super fund each year. This is separate from your take-home pay. Learn more about how super works in our Super guide.
How your personal assistant salary compares
The median personal assistant salary of $1,832 per week is slightly below the all-employees average of $1,579 per week (which includes part-time workers) and below the full-time adult ordinary time average of $2,084 per week. However, it is well above the National Minimum Wage. Your actual pay may vary by industry – top sectors include Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, Public Administration, and Health Care.
Key points to remember
- The median personal assistant salary is $1,832 per week before tax.
- After income tax and Medicare, a full-time personal assistant takes home about $1,428 per week.
- Super is paid on top at 12% (from 1 July 2026).
- Award rates may set a higher minimum – check the Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database or the Fair Work Ombudsman for your classification.
- For a detailed breakdown of your own situation, refer to the Tax and Medicare page.
Questions
How is take-home pay calculated for a personal assistant?
Start with your gross annual salary (e.g., $95,264 based on the median weekly earnings). Apply the 2026–27 tax rates: nil on the first $18,200, 15c per dollar from $18,201 to $45,000, and 30c per dollar from $45,001 to $135,000. Then subtract the Medicare levy (2% of taxable income if you earn above $35,013). The Low Income Tax Offset may reduce tax if your income is under $66,667. The result is your annual take-home pay, which you can divide by 52 for weekly or 26 for fortnightly amounts.
What factors can change my net pay as a personal assistant?
Your actual salary may differ from the median due to experience, location, and industry. Overtime, penalty rates, or salary packaging (e.g., for cars or laptops) affect taxable income. The Medicare levy surcharge applies if you don't have private hospital cover and earn over $93,000. HELP/HECS repayments also reduce take-home pay. Always check your award or agreement for minimum rates.
Does the personal assistant salary include superannuation?
No. The median weekly earnings of $1,832 reported by Jobs and Skills Australia are before tax and do not include employer super contributions. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, paid on top of your salary. If a job advertisement says 'plus super', the quoted salary is your gross pay before super is added.