The first $18,200 is tax-free and the remaining $23,800 is taxed at 15%, which comes to $3,570. The low income tax offset then takes $475 off, leaving $3,095.
The Medicare levy adds 2%: $840. Altogether, tax and Medicare take 9.4% of your salary, and of your next $1,000 pay rise you'd keep $780.
Thanks to the tax cut on 1 July 2026, you pay $238 less income tax on $42,000 than you would have in 2025–26.
$42,000 as an hourly wage
$42,000 a year works out at $21.26 an hour on a 38-hour week, before tax. See $25 an hour for fortnightly take-home at an hourly rate.
What changes your take-home
The same $42,000 in some common situations, compared with the figures above.
Situation
Per fortnight
Per year
Difference
Standard (as above)
$1,464.04
$38,065.00
-
With a HELP loan
$1,464.04
$38,065.00
-
Without private hospital cover
$1,464.04
$38,065.00
-
If the salary includes super
$1,329.04
$34,555.00
−$3,510.00
At $42,000 you're under the $69,528 HELP repayment threshold, so a study loan doesn't change your pay. You're under the $105,000 Medicare levy surcharge threshold, so private hospital cover doesn't affect your tax.
How much is $42,000 a year after tax per fortnight?+
$1,464.04 a fortnight, or $3,172.08 a month, for an Australian resident in 2026–27 with no HELP debt and private hospital cover.
How much tax do I pay on $42,000?+
$3,095 income tax (after a $475 low income tax offset) and $840 Medicare levy: $3,935 in total, or 9.4% of your salary.
What is $42,000 a year as an hourly rate?+
$21.26 an hour before tax, based on 38 hours a week for 52 weeks. After tax that's $19.26 an hour.
How much super will I get on $42,000?+
Your employer pays 12% super guarantee on top of your salary: $5,040.00 a year into your super fund. If $42,000 is a package that includes super, your salary is $37,500.00 and you take home $1,329.04 a fortnight.