Couples Calculator

Household income is the combined gross income of both partners before tax. Each person is taxed individually on their own income, but certain thresholds (like Medicare Levy Surcharge) are based on combined family income.

The Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) is an additional 1-1.5% tax for high-income earners without private hospital cover. For couples/families, the threshold starts at $186,000 combined income, plus $1,500 per dependent child after the first.

Unlike some countries, Australian couples file separate individual tax returns. However, you may need to declare your spouse's income for certain calculations like the Medicare Levy Surcharge or family tax benefit eligibility.

HELP/HECS debts are individual obligations. Each person's repayment is calculated based on their own repayment income, not the household's combined income.