Every Money Change From 1 July 2026 (Tax Cut, Payday Super, Higher Caps)

The start of the 2026-27 financial year brings three changes worth knowing about: a small income tax cut for most workers, the start of payday super, and higher superannuation contribution caps. None of them need an accountant to understand, but a couple are worth acting on before 30 June.

This guide covers each change, the exact figures, and what — if anything — you should do. Everything here is sourced from the ATO's published 2026-27 rates and thresholds.

From 1 July 2026, the second tax bracket — the rate on income between $18,201 and $45,000 — drops from 16% to 15%. Every other bracket and the $18,200 tax-free threshold stay the same.

Because the cut only applies to that one band, the most anyone saves is 1% of $26,800, or $268 a year. If you earn $45,000 or more you get the full $268; lower earners get a proportional share (about $118 at $30,000). A further cut to 14% on the same bracket is already legislated for 1 July 2027.

You don't need to do anything — your employer's payroll picks up the new rate automatically. To see your new figure, run your salary through the take-home pay calculator.

From 1 July 2026, employers must pay your Superannuation Guarantee within seven business days of each payday, instead of quarterly. The SG rate itself stays at 12%.

For employees this is good news: your super lands sooner (so it starts compounding earlier), and it's far easier to spot if an employer isn't paying it. Check your super fund app a week or so after payday — if the contributions aren't showing up, that's now a clear red flag worth chasing.

The amount you can contribute to super went up for 2026-27:

The concessional (before-tax) cap rises from $30,000 to $32,500, and the non-concessional (after-tax) cap rises from $120,000 to $130,000 (or $390,000 over three years using the bring-forward rule). For retirees, the general transfer balance cap — the most you can move into a tax-free pension — rises from $2.0 million to $2.1 million.

If you salary sacrifice or make voluntary contributions, the higher concessional cap means a little more room to reduce your taxable income. The Division 293 threshold (where high earners pay extra tax on super) is unchanged at $250,000.

Before 30 June: if you were planning to make a deductible super contribution, the 2025-26 concessional cap is $30,000 — top up to it if it suits your situation. Get any work-related deductions and receipts in order for your tax return.

After 1 July: check your first post-July payslip reflects the 15% second-bracket rate, and confirm your super is arriving within a week of payday. If you're reviewing contributions for the new year, the higher $32,500 concessional cap applies from 1 July 2026.