Using the Salary & Cost of Living Calculator
The Salary & Cost of Living Calculator helps you understand what an Australian salary really means once you take out tax, rent, food, and other costs. It…
Using the Salary & Cost of Living Calculator
The Salary & Cost of Living Calculator helps you understand what an Australian salary really means once you take out tax, rent, food, and other costs. It compares your take-home pay to the same amount in Philippine pesos.
What the calculator can show you
- Gross salary in AUD (the amount before tax).
- Tax taken from your salary by the Australian government.
- Take-home pay — what actually hits your bank account.
- Estimated monthly costs — rent, transport, food, mobile phone, basics.
- Money left over to send home or save.
- An equivalent in Philippine pesos so the numbers feel real.
How to use it
- Sign in to the portal.
- From the portal home screen, select Tools in the main navigation menu.
- Tap Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.
- Type the annual salary the job is offering (in AUD).
- Choose the city — the available cities are listed in the calculator drop-down menu.
- Choose your household type — single, couple, with children.
- The calculator shows your tax, take-home pay, monthly cost estimate, and what is left over.
What assumptions does the calculator use?
- Tax is based on the standard Australian rates for a resident worker. Your actual tax may change if you have a higher visa class, multiple jobs, or unusual deductions.
- Rent is an average for a small apartment or shared house in that city.
- Food, transport, and basics are average single-person costs.
- PHP exchange rate uses a periodically updated average — check the calculator for the date of the last update, as the real rate changes daily.
Tip: Use the calculator a few different ways — single, couple, expensive city, cheaper city — so you understand how each choice affects what you can save.
What the calculator does not include
- One-time costs like the flight, visa fees, and first-month bond.
- Superannuation — this is extra retirement money your employer puts aside for you.
- Sending money home — the fees vary by service.
Why this is important
A high salary in AUD can still feel small after rent and tax. A medium salary in a cheaper city may give you more money to send home. The calculator helps you make a smart choice before you accept a job.
Tips before you take a job
- Ask the employer if rent is included or subsidised.
- Ask if there is transport help — some jobs include a vehicle.
- Find out what city the job is in. Sydney is much more expensive than Adelaide.