Other Taxes Guide
In addition to income tax you will be required to pay a Medicare levy of 1.5%, if you are classed as a resident for tax purposes. Medicare is the scheme that gives Australian residents access to health care, and as such, resident taxpayers are subject to a Medicare levy, irrespective of whether you have private health care insurance. You do not have to pay the Medicare levy if you are not a resident for tax purposes. For detailed information relating to your own personal circumstances and for online calculators, visit the Australian Taxation Office online at: http://www.ato.gov.au
In Australia there is a 10% Goods and Service tax, known as GST, on most services and goods sold or used in Australia. This is automatically included when you pay for the service or item.
There is no property tax in Australia, however, if you are generating an income from property investment, that income will be taxed.
Super
Super is not a tax, but it is a compulsory payment in Australia. It is a type of savings which is paid out for retirement of individuals and all employers are responsible for paying a minimum of 9.25% of an employee’s salary into a superannuation fund.
You can nominate the super fund (must be in Australia), or an online tool, Super Fund Lookup, is available that will provide a list of all complying super funds and will include the address and fund regulator. Super Fund Lookup can be found on http://superfundlookup.gov.au.
When you start any new role in Australia, part of the paperwork process is to nominate your super fund for the 9% to be paid into on a quarterly basis. If you remain in Australia this superannuation savings will be paid out when you retire.
If you have become an Australian permanent resident and then you return to your own country you are treated the same as an Australian in Australia and the funds are only available upon your retirement.
If you are on a temporary visa in Australia, the funds can be paid out when the visa expires and you have departed permanently.
For more information: http://ato.gov.au/Individuals/Super.
