Recruitment Consultant Salary: What You Take Home After Tax and Medicare

Recruitment Consultant Salary: What You Actually Take Home

If you’re a recruitment consultant in Australia, your pay can vary a lot. Jobs and Skills Australia reports that median weekly earnings for this occupation are not available, because the data is too sparse or variable. That’s because recruitment consultant salaries often include a base plus commission, and the mix differs by agency, industry, and your experience. So instead of a single figure, this guide shows you how to work out your own take-home pay using the 2026–27 tax rules.

How Your Fortnightly Pay Is Calculated

Your employer will deduct tax from each pay based on the ATO tax tables. For a resident, the 2026–27 rates are:

• $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
• Over $190,000: $51,370 plus 45c for each $1 over $190,000

You also get the low-income tax offset (LITO). If your taxable income is $37,500 or less, you receive the maximum $700 offset. It reduces by 5c per dollar between $37,501 and $45,000, then by 1.5c per dollar between $45,001 and $66,667. The offset can only reduce your tax to zero.

The Medicare Levy

Almost everyone pays the Medicare levy. For 2026–27, the single thresholds are $28,011 (lower) and $35,013 (upper). If your taxable income is below $28,011, you pay no levy. Between $28,011 and $35,013 you pay 10c per dollar over the lower threshold. Above $35,013 you pay the full 2% on your entire taxable income. Most full-time recruitment consultants will be in the full 2% bracket.

Superannuation: Not Deducted from Your Pay

Your employer must pay super on top of your salary. From 1 July 2026 the rate is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. If your contract says “$80,000 plus super”, your take-home pay is calculated on $80,000, not $89,600. Super is separate and goes into your super fund.

Fortnightly Take-Home Example

Let’s say your recruitment consultant salary is $80,000 a year (before super). Assuming no HELP/HECS or salary sacrifice, your fortnightly pay would be:

• Gross fortnightly: $80,000 ÷ 26 = $3,076.92
• Tax on $80,000: $4,020 + 30c × ($80,000 – $45,000) = $4,020 + $10,500 = $14,520 per year, or $558.46 per fortnight
• LITO: at $80,000, LITO is $325 – 1.5c × ($80,000 – $45,000) = $325 – $525 = negative, so zero offset
• Medicare levy: 2% of $80,000 = $1,600 per year, or $61.54 per fortnight
• Net fortnightly: $3,076.92 – $558.46 – $61.54 = $2,456.92

This is an estimate only. Your actual withholding may differ if you have commission, allowances, or other deductions. Use the Take-home pay calculator for a personalised result.

What If Your Salary Includes Commission?

Many recruitment consultants earn commission on top of a base. Commission is treated as ordinary income and taxed at your marginal rate. Your employer may withhold extra tax on commission payments, or you may need to adjust your PAYG withholding. The Tax and Medicare guide explains how to manage variable income.

Award Coverage and Minimum Wage

Most recruitment consultants are award-free, meaning they are entitled to the national minimum wage ($26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week) and the National Employment Standards. If you work for a labour market assistance provider, you may be covered by the Labour Market Assistance Industry Award. Check with Fair Work if you’re unsure. The Minimum wage page has full details.

Key Takeaways

• Recruitment consultant salary is not a fixed figure; it varies by role, agency, and commission structure.
• Your take-home pay depends on tax brackets, the Medicare levy, and any offsets like LITO.
• Super is paid on top of your salary, not deducted from your pay.
• Use the Clearance tool to estimate your net pay after tax and Medicare.