How FIFO take-home pay is worked out
Your gross pay is your hourly rate multiplied by paid hours, days on site and swings per year, plus allowances and any overtime. If you work nights, a night loading is added on top of the base rate. The calculator then takes off income tax and the 2% Medicare levy to estimate what lands in your account.
For 2026-27, Australian residents pay no tax on the first $18,200, then 15% up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, 37% up to $190,000 and 45% above that. Rates change, so always check ato.gov.au.
What FIFO roster numbers mean
A roster like 2/1 means two weeks on site and one week at home. In this calculator, 2/1 is 14 days on and 7 days off. A roster like 8/6 means 8 days on and 6 days off. Others include 2/2 (14 on, 14 off), 3/1 and 4/1. Use the compare section to see how two rosters or two job offers stack up on take-home pay, days on site and days at home.
Why pay per swing is not the same as pay per fortnight
A swing includes your time at home, so a 2/1 cycle is 21 days. Most employers pay fortnightly regardless of roster, so your regular payslip will be smaller than your take-home per swing. Per day on site shows what each working day is worth, and per day across the year shows what your time is worth including days off.
HELP and HECS repayments
If you have a study loan, compulsory repayments start once repayment income passes $69,528 in 2026-27. The system is marginal, so you pay 15c for each dollar above the threshold rather than a percentage of everything. Turn on the HELP option to include an estimate.
Common questions
- Why does my payslip differ from the calculator? Salary sacrifice, tax offsets, deductions, super arrangements, bonuses and the exact way your employer pays loadings and allowances can all change the result.
- Does it include superannuation? No. Super is paid on top of your wages and is not part of take-home pay.
- Is it accurate for non-residents? No. It uses resident tax rates only.
- How should I use the savings section? Enter what you plan to save per swing and your monthly living costs. It shows what is left unallocated and how long it takes to reach your goal.