Run your business on
real numbers.
GST, BAS, payroll tax (every state), structure choice, FBT, contractor rates and instant asset write-offs — the small-business stack.
Australia runs on 2.73 million businesses — and most employ no one but the owner.
Nearly two-thirds are sole traders or owner-run companies with no staff on the books, so the tax admin lands on one desk. Whether it is GST on every invoice, payroll tax once the wage bill grows, or the choice between sole trader and company, it is worth modelling your own position before the BAS falls due — and checking what the instant asset write-off claws back on a big purchase.
Who these businesses actually are
The overwhelming majority are small. Of 2.73 million trading businesses, 1.74 million employ no one and another 0.92 million have fewer than 20 staff — so 97% run on 0–19 people. Only about 73,000, under 3%, employ 20 or more.
All Business calculators
7 calculatorsGST Calculator
Add or remove GST from any amount. Instantly split the GST component and the ex-GST price.
BAS Calculator
Calculate GST collected minus GST paid to find your net BAS liability each quarter.
Payroll Tax Calculator
Calculate payroll tax for any state — NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA, TAS, NT, ACT. Compares all 8 jurisdictions against your wages bill.
FBT Calculator
Calculate Fringe Benefits Tax at 47% on the grossed-up taxable value of employee benefits.
Sole Trader vs Company Calculator
Compare after-tax income as a sole trader on marginal rates versus a company at 25%.
Instant Asset Write-Off Calculator
Estimate the first-year tax saving from the instant asset write-off for assets under $20,000.
Contractor Hourly Rate Calculator
Calculate the hourly rate you need to match an employee salary after accounting for leave, super and admin.
Australian Business Calculators — 2026–27
Running a business in Australia involves a range of tax obligations — GST, payroll tax, FBT, and company tax — each with its own rules and thresholds. AusCalcs business calculators are built for Australian small business owners, sole traders, and accountants who need fast, accurate estimates using current 2026–27 rates.
GST and BAS
Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a 10% tax on most goods and services sold in Australia. Businesses registered for GST must lodge a Business Activity Statement (BAS) — either monthly or quarterly — reporting GST collected from sales and claiming GST credits on purchases. The GST Calculator instantly adds or removes 10% from any amount, while the BAS Calculator helps you estimate your net GST position before lodgement.
Payroll Tax
Payroll tax is a state-based tax on wages paid by employers. Each state and territory has its own threshold and rate — ranging from 4.0% in Tasmania to 6.75% in the ACT, with tax-free thresholds from $1 million to $2.5 million. The Payroll Tax Calculator shows your liability across all states with a side-by-side comparison, useful for businesses operating nationally or planning to hire in a new state.
Business Structure: Sole Trader vs Company
Choosing the right business structure has significant tax implications. As a sole trader, your business income is taxed at your personal marginal rate — up to 47% (including Medicare levy) for high earners. Operating through a company capped at 25% (base rate entity) can mean substantial savings, though dividend franking and the cost of operating a company must be factored in. The Sole Trader vs Company Calculator shows the after-tax difference at your income level.
FBT and Benefits
Fringe Benefits Tax applies when employers provide non-cash benefits to employees — such as cars, laptops, entertainment, or car parking. FBT is charged at 47% on the grossed-up taxable value of the benefit. The FBT Calculator estimates your liability for a given benefit value and type.
Instant Asset Write-Off
The instant asset write-off allows eligible small businesses to deduct the full cost of assets under the threshold (currently $20,000, for assets installed ready for use by 30 June 2026) in the year of purchase rather than depreciating them over time. The Instant Asset Write-Off Calculator shows the first-year tax saving and effective after-tax cost of an asset purchase.
Payroll tax by state
Updated 2026–27Tax-free thresholds and headline rates for each Australian state and territory. Click any state to run the full calculation against your wage bill.
| State | Threshold | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | $1.2M | 5.45% |
| VIC | $1.0M | 4.85% |
| QLD | $1.3M | 4.75% |
| SA | $1.5M | 4.95% |
| WA | $1.0M | 5.5% |
| TAS | $1.25M | 4.0% |
| NT | $2.5M | 5.5% |
| ACT | $1.75M | 6.75% |