Free tool
Payroll tax threshold checker
Two numbers and a state. See whether your wage bill sits above or below the payroll tax line, and how much room you have before the next hire tips you over.
Why the threshold matters before you hire
Payroll tax is a state tax, so a business in Hobart and one in Perth with identical wage bills can be in completely different positions. It only starts once your wages pass the threshold set by the state where the work is done, and every state draws that line somewhere different: $1 million in Victoria and Western Australia, $1.2 million in New South Wales, $1.25 million in Tasmania, $1.3 million in Queensland, $1.5 million in South Australia, $1.75 million in the ACT from 1 July 2026, and $2.5 million in the Northern Territory.
The problem is that growth rarely arrives in neat steps. Two senior hires, a bigger bonus pool or a new site can move you from comfortably under to registered in a single year. The checker gives you a quick read on the gap so you can plan the cash before the first return is due. For the rates, phase-outs and regional discounts, see our state-by-state payroll tax comparison.
How interstate wages change the answer
When you employ in more than one state, each state generally gives you a slice of its threshold in proportion to the wages you pay there. Say, purely as an illustration, a business pays $600,000 in Queensland and $600,000 in New South Wales. Its Queensland share of the $1.3 million threshold is half, or $650,000, so it's under the line there. Its NSW share of the $1.2 million threshold is $600,000 — right on the line. One more hire in Sydney and it's registering in NSW, even though neither state's wages look big on their own.
Grouping rules work the same way in the other direction. Related companies, trusts or businesses that share staff or control can be grouped and treated as one employer with one threshold. If you run more than one entity, count them together in the second box.
Planning for the cash side
Once you're registered, payroll tax becomes a regular outgoing that sits alongside BAS, PAYG withholding and super. It's worth building it into your cash-flow forecast as soon as you can see the threshold coming. Our payroll tax registration checklist walks through the steps, and the interactive state map shows the support services in your state.
If growth is outpacing your cash, we can help. Unsecured and line-of-credit options suit trading businesses that need working capital, and property-secured loans from $20,000 to $5 million suit bigger plans. Check what your business could qualify for — there's no credit check at the enquiry stage, your details stay with us rather than going out to a crowd of lenders, and a real person calls you. Please answer the form accurately so we can match you properly the first time.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as wages for payroll tax?
More than salaries. Payroll tax wages generally include super contributions, allowances, bonuses, fringe benefits and some payments to contractors. Each revenue office publishes what it counts, so check your state's list before relying on a rough total.
Why is my threshold lower than the headline figure?
If you pay wages in more than one state, each state usually gives you only a share of its threshold, in proportion to the wages you pay there. Grouped businesses also share one threshold. That's why an interstate employer can owe payroll tax in a state where they pay well under the headline figure.
Does this checker work out how much payroll tax I'll pay?
No. It shows whether you're likely to be over or under the line and by how much. Victoria and Western Australia reduce the tax-free amount as wages grow, South Australia has a graduated band, and some states offer exemptions and discounts, so the tax itself should be calculated with your accountant or the revenue office calculator.
When do I have to register?
Each state sets its own trigger, generally when your wages pass the monthly or annual threshold. Registering late can bring penalties and interest, so if the checker shows you close to the line, talk to your accountant now rather than at year end.
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