UNSW Professional Staff Salary: What Your Fortnightly Take-Home Looks Like After Tax and Medicare
UNSW professional staff salaries are set by enterprise agreement, with annual base salaries ranging from approximately $54,945 to over $150,000 depending on classification and step. Take-home pay varies by tax bracket, Medicare levy, and superannuation.
Understanding Your UNSW Professional Staff Salary
If you work at UNSW as professional staff, your salary is governed by the University of New South Wales (Professional Staff) Enterprise Agreement 2023. This agreement sets minimum base rates for each classification level, from Level 1 to Level 10. The rates are updated annually, with increases of 3.5% from 1 July 2024, 3.5% from 1 July 2025, and 4% from 1 July 2026. For example, a Level 1 step 1 employee working 38 hours per week earns an annual base salary of $66,460 from 1 July 2026. Higher levels, such as Level 10, can earn over $150,000. These figures are your base salary before tax, Medicare, and super.
What Changes Your Fortnightly Take-Home
Your take-home pay is what lands in your bank account each fortnight after deductions. The main factors are:
- Income tax brackets: Australia uses a progressive tax system. For 2026–27, the rates are: nil on the first $18,200, then 15c per dollar up to $45,000, 30c up to $135,000, 37c up to $190,000, and 45c above that. The Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) can reduce tax for incomes up to $66,667. For a $66,460 salary, your annual tax is approximately $10,347.
- Medicare levy: A flat 2% on taxable income. The latest single-person thresholds are $28,011 and $35,013. Full-time UNSW salaries exceed these, so you pay the full levy. For $66,460, that's $1,329 per year.
- Superannuation: UNSW contributes super on top of your salary. From 1 July 2026, the Super Guarantee is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. This does not reduce your take-home pay; it's an additional benefit.
Example: Level 1 Step 1 (38-hour week, July 2026 rate)
Using the enterprise agreement rates from , the annual base salary is $66,460. Here's how it breaks down fortnightly:
- Annual salary: $66,460
- Less tax (estimated): $10,347
- Less Medicare levy (2%): $1,329
- Net annual: $54,784
- Fortnightly take-home: $2,107
This is a simplified estimate. Your actual take-home may differ due to HELP/HECS repayments, salary packaging, or other deductions. Use our Take-home pay tool for a personalised calculation.
How the Enterprise Agreement Affects Your Pay
The enterprise agreement, approved by the Fair Work Commission, sets minimum rates and conditions. It includes provisions for salary sacrificing, superannuation (17% for most continuing staff), and annual increases. The agreement ensures you are better off overall compared to the award. For full details, refer to the UNSW Enterprise Agreement (Professional) 2023 PDF.
Tax and Medicare: Key Points
- The Medicare levy is separate from income tax. It is calculated on your taxable income and added to your tax liability.
- The levy is 2% for most full-time employees. If your income is below $35,013, you may pay a reduced rate or none.
- The tax brackets and offsets are updated annually. For 2026–27, the LITO provides up to $700 for incomes under $37,500, then phases out.
For more on how tax and Medicare affect your pay, see our Tax and Medicare guide.
Superannuation: Not Deducted from Take-Home
UNSW's super contribution is a percentage of your ordinary time earnings, paid on top of your salary. It is not deducted from your bank deposit. For example, on a $66,460 salary, UNSW adds $7,975 in super (12%) to your super fund each year. This is separate from your take-home pay. Learn more about super in our Super section.
Summary
Your UNSW professional staff salary is a solid base, but your fortnightly take-home depends on tax brackets, the Medicare levy, and any salary packaging choices. The enterprise agreement provides predictable annual increases and strong super benefits. Use the resources on this site to estimate your net pay and plan your finances.
Questions
How do the tax brackets affect my fortnightly take-home from a UNSW professional staff salary?
Your fortnightly take-home is determined by the progressive tax brackets. For 2026–27, the first $18,200 is tax-free, then 15c per dollar up to $45,000, 30c up to $135,000, and so on. The Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) can reduce tax for lower incomes. For example, on a Level 1 step 1 salary of $66,460 (38-hour week from July 2026), your annual tax would be about $10,347 plus Medicare, giving a fortnightly take-home around $2,100 after tax and Medicare.
How does the Medicare levy apply to my UNSW salary?
The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income. For full-time UNSW professional staff, your salary will almost always exceed the single-person thresholds ($28,011 and $35,013), so you pay the full 2%. The levy is calculated on your taxable income and added to your tax bill, reducing your fortnightly take-home. For the $66,460 example, the levy is $1,329 per year, or about $51 per fortnight.
Is superannuation deducted from my take-home pay or added on top?
UNSW pays superannuation on top of your base salary. The enterprise agreement states employer super contributions of 17% for continuing and fixed-term employees (12% from 1 July 2026 for most). This means your take-home pay is your salary after tax and Medicare, and super is additional. If your job advertisement says 'plus super', the advertised figure is your base salary before super. Super does not reduce your fortnightly bank deposit.