Money guides for Australians
Plain-English guides to stamp duty, salary packaging, super, home loans, tax time and energy bills. Each one is checked against official sources, uses 2026–27 figures and links to the calculator that does the maths for you.
Tax time
Tax return due 31 October 2026: last-minute checklist
Missed the 2 November deadline? Late lodgment penalties, tax agents, paying a bill and getting your refund.
Tax return checklist 2026
What to gather, what you can claim, the 70c work-from-home rate, 88c per km and the 31 October deadline.
HECS-HELP repayments 2026–27
The $69,528 threshold, the new marginal system, what you repay at each income and whether to pay it off early.
Medicare levy surcharge explained
Who pays the MLS in 2026–27, the $105,000 and $210,000 thresholds, and when hospital cover costs less.
Property and stamp duty
Stamp duty in Victoria 2026–27
Rates, the first home buyer exemption and concession, off-the-plan savings and worked examples.
Stamp duty in NSW 2026–27
The new indexed rates from 1 July 2026, First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme thresholds and examples.
Stamp duty in South Australia 2026–27
SA rates, the no-cap first home buyer relief for new homes, and what established-home buyers pay.
First home stamp duty in every state
What a first home buyer pays on a $600k, $800k and $1m home in each state and territory.
Negative gearing and CGT changes from 2027
What the new law means for property investors: who keeps negative gearing, new builds, and the end of the 50% CGT discount.
Salary packaging and super
Novated leases explained
How a novated lease works, the electric car FBT exemption, residuals, pros and cons.
Salary packaging for nurses and health workers
The $9,010 and $2,650 packaging caps, how much nurses save and what to watch for.
Salary sacrifice into super
The $32,500 cap for 2026–27, Division 293, carry-forward and how much you really save.
Age Pension 2026: rates and tests
Rates from 20 September 2026, the income and assets tests, deeming, the Work Bonus and worked examples.
Free super money for lower incomes
The $500 co-contribution, the low income super tax offset and the spouse contribution offset explained.
How much super do I need to retire?
ASFA's comfortable and modest targets, what 12% super builds over a career, and how to close a gap.
Home loans
How much can I borrow?
How lenders work out borrowing power: the 3% buffer, living expense benchmarks and the 6x DTI limit.
Repayments on a $400k to $600k mortgage
Monthly repayments at different rates and terms, and what extra repayments save.
Offset account vs extra repayments
Which saves more, when an offset wins, when extra repayments win, and what $10k to $100k in an offset is worth.
How to avoid lenders mortgage insurance
What LMI costs at 85%, 90% and 95% LVR, the 5% Deposit Scheme price caps, and other ways around it.
Fixed or variable home loan in 2026?
Today's fixed and variable rates compared, how much rates would need to rise for fixing to pay off, and split loans.
Refinancing your home loan: a checklist
When refinancing is worth it, the costs to expect, what lenders check and how to ask your bank for a better rate first.
Pay and bills
What changed on 1 July 2026
Tax cut, minimum wage, Paid Parental Leave, super, HECS and energy prices: the new rules.
How to reduce your electricity bill
Default offers, comparing plans, what appliances cost to run and the changes that save the most.
Casual vs permanent: which pays more?
What the 25% casual loading is really worth once you count leave, public holidays and super.
How to pay off debt faster
Snowball vs avalanche with real numbers, consolidation, balance transfers and where to get free help.
Last reviewed October 2026. Our guides are general information only, not financial, tax or legal advice. See how we calculate for where our figures come from.