Money guides for Australians
Plain-English explainers on the decisions that move your money — tax, property, home loans and study debt. Current 2026-27 figures, and a calculator for each.
Australian income tax in 2026-27, explained
The brackets, the Medicare levy, LITO and the new 15% second bracket — how your pay actually gets taxed, with the numbers that apply from 1 July 2026.
First home buyer schemes & stamp duty in 2026
Stamp duty concessions, the First Home Owner Grant, the 5% deposit guarantee and the First Home Super Saver — what's on offer and how they stack up.
Offset vs redraw: which actually saves more?
They save the same interest — but the difference in access, tax and flexibility matters more than most people realise. A plain-English comparison.
Rent vs buy in Australia: how to actually decide
Buying isn't automatically 'smarter than paying rent'. Here's the real way to compare them — the costs people forget, and the one number that flips the answer.
How HECS-HELP repayments and indexation work in 2026
The new marginal repayment system, how indexation is now calculated, and whether paying your HELP debt off early is worth it.
Capital gains tax on shares & property, explained (2026-27)
How CGT actually works in Australia — it's added to your income, not a separate rate — plus the 50% discount, the main-residence exemption, and how losses help.
Salary sacrifice into super: is it worth it? (2026-27)
Before-tax super contributions are taxed at 15% instead of your marginal rate. Here's how much that saves, the $32,500 cap to watch, and the catch to weigh up.
Work-from-home & work-related deductions in 2026
The ATO fixed-rate method (70c/hour), cents-per-km car claims, and the everyday work expenses people miss — with the records you need to actually claim them.
How much can I borrow? Serviceability & the APRA buffer
Lenders don't lend a flat multiple of your income — they run a serviceability test at your rate plus a 3% buffer. Here's what really moves the number.
Franking credits & dividend imputation, explained
Why Australian dividends come with a tax credit attached, how the gross-up works, and when franking credits land you a refund — the very Australian bit overseas apps miss.