Help — Australia Financial Calculators

Find answers to common questions about CalcPhi's Australian calculators below. All calculators use ATO-verified tax rates, current RBA rates, and up-to-date APRA and Centrelink figures for 2025–26. If you cannot find what you are looking for, email support@blackbeltcodelabs.com and we will respond within 2 business days.

Using the Calculators

Are the calculators free?

Yes. Every CalcPhi calculator is completely free with no account, subscription, or paywall — now or in future.

Do the calculators save my data?

No. All calculations run entirely in your browser. Nothing you enter is sent to our servers. Your financial information never leaves your device. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

How accurate are the results?

Our calculators use the correct mathematical formulas verified against ATO, APRA, and government sources. Results match figures produced by major Australian banks within standard rounding tolerances. Every page shows the formula used so you can verify it independently. Small differences from your lender's calculator may occur due to rounding conventions or bank-specific policies.

Are results financial advice?

No. CalcPhi results are estimates for educational and planning purposes only. They do not account for individual circumstances, fund-specific charges, or market movements. Before making any financial decision, consult a licensed financial adviser holding an Australian Financial Services (AFS) licence, or a registered tax agent for tax matters.

Mortgage & Home Loans

What interest rate should I use in the mortgage calculator?

As of May 2026, the average Australian variable home loan rate is approximately 6.3% per annum. Fixed rates for 2–3 years range from 5.8–6.4%. Use your lender's comparison rate (not the advertised rate) for a more accurate picture of the true cost, as comparison rates include most fees and charges.

Why does the borrowing power calculator use a higher rate than my loan?

APRA requires all Australian lenders to assess your loan serviceability at your actual interest rate plus a 3% buffer. If your loan rate is 6.3%, the bank tests your repayments at 9.3%. This is mandatory and is why your calculated borrowing power is lower than you might expect based on the advertised rate alone.

My stamp duty result differs from the state revenue office. Why?

Stamp duty thresholds and rates change with state budgets. Our calculator is updated for 2026 rates. Minor differences may occur if a state has announced changes that have not yet come into effect, or for specific property types (vacant land, commercial property, off-the-plan) that use different duty schedules. Always verify your exact liability with your state's revenue office or a licensed conveyancer before settlement.

Does the extra repayment calculator account for redraw?

The extra repayment calculator assumes all extra repayments are applied permanently to the loan principal. If your loan allows redraw and you plan to draw funds back, your actual interest saving will be lower. Offset accounts work differently from extra repayments — funds in an offset account reduce your daily interest calculation without reducing the loan balance itself.

Superannuation

Which super return rate should I use?

ASIC's MoneySmart recommends using 7% per annum as a balanced long-term growth rate assumption for superannuation projections. Industry funds have historically returned 8–10% net of fees over 10-year periods, but past returns do not guarantee future performance. Use 6–7% for a conservative estimate; 8–9% for an optimistic scenario.

What is the compulsory super rate in 2026?

The Superannuation Guarantee (SG) rate is 11.5% of ordinary time earnings for FY2025–26, rising to 12% on 1 July 2025. This is your employer's minimum contribution — it is in addition to your salary, not deducted from it. The SG applies to most employees earning more than $450 per month from a single employer.

What is the concessional contributions cap?

The concessional (before-tax) contributions cap for FY2025–26 is $30,000 per year. This includes your employer's SG contributions, any salary sacrifice contributions, and personal contributions you claim a tax deduction for. Contributions above the cap are taxed at your marginal rate (plus an excess concessional contributions charge) rather than the 15% super tax.

Income Tax & PAYG

Which tax brackets apply for FY2025–26?

The Stage 3 tax cuts (effective from 1 July 2024) apply for FY2025–26. The rates are: 0% on the first $18,200; 16% on $18,201–$45,000; 30% on $45,001–$135,000; 37% on $135,001–$190,000; and 45% on income over $190,000. The Medicare Levy of 2% applies on top for most taxpayers. The Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) of up to $700 further reduces tax for income below $66,667.

What is the Medicare Levy Surcharge?

The Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) is an additional 1–1.5% tax payable by higher-income individuals who do not hold an appropriate level of private hospital cover. The MLS applies to singles earning over $93,000 and couples/families over $186,000 (2025–26 thresholds). Holding hospital cover avoids the MLS — our income tax calculator includes the standard 2% Medicare Levy but does not add the MLS.

What is PAYG withholding and does it change week to week?

Pay As You Go (PAYG) withholding is the tax your employer deducts from each pay and remits to the ATO on your behalf. It is calculated using the ATO's weekly, fortnightly, or monthly tax withholding tables based on your annual income and tax file number (TFN) declaration. The amount can vary slightly if your hours change. Our PAYG calculator uses the ATO's standard Schedule 1 withholding tables.

Investment Property

What is a good rental yield in Australia?

A gross rental yield of 4–6% is considered reasonable for established residential property. Inner-city Sydney and Melbourne typically yield 2.5–3.5% gross due to high property prices. Regional areas, Perth, and Darwin often deliver 5–8% gross but with different capital growth expectations. Always compare net yield (after expenses) against the risk-free rate, which is currently around 4.5–5% for term deposits.

Is depreciation important for negative gearing?

Yes, significantly. A quantity surveyor's depreciation schedule (cost: $600–$800) typically unlocks $3,000–$12,000 per year in non-cash deductions for modern or recently renovated properties. This increases your tax loss without any additional cash outflow, boosting the after-tax benefit of negative gearing. Depreciation is only available for properties built after 1987 for the building structure and applies to all properties for fixtures and fittings.

Errors & Feedback

I found an error in a calculator. How do I report it?

Email support@blackbeltcodelabs.com with the subject "AU Calculation Error — [Calculator Name]". Include your inputs, the result you received, the expected result, and an ATO or government reference if you have one. Verified errors are corrected within 48 hours.

Can I suggest a new Australian calculator?

Yes — we prioritise suggestions from Australian users. Email us at support@blackbeltcodelabs.com with the subject "AU Calculator Suggestion". Popular suggestions are included in the next build cycle.

Still Need Help?

If your question is not covered above, we are happy to help directly.

Email: support@blackbeltcodelabs.com
Response time: within 2 business days (Mon–Fri, AEST)
Company: Black Belt Code Labs