2026–27 Federal Budget

Where your tax goes

Enter your salary to see your income tax divided across the Commonwealth's spending. Open any area to drill down into its programs, from the Age Pension and the NDIS to Medicare, schools and interest on the debt.

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Your income tax and Medicare levy $19,000 a year, split by 2026–27 Budget spending

  • 37.1% of spending · $308.7bn · rising 9% by 2029–30

  • 19.6% of spending · $163.6bn · rising 33% by 2029–30

  • 16.4% of spending · $136.9bn · rising 9% by 2029–30

  • 6.9% of spending · $57.3bn · rising 11% by 2029–30

  • 6.2% of spending · $52.1bn · rising 19% by 2029–30

  • 3.9% of spending · $32.5bn · falling 1% by 2029–30

  • 1.8% of spending · $15.3bn · falling 14% by 2029–30

  • 1.8% of spending · $15.2bn · rising 13% by 2029–30

  • 1.7% of spending · $13.8bn · falling 10% by 2029–30

  • 1.4% of spending · $11.5bn · falling 32% by 2029–30

  • 1.2% of spending · $9.7bn · falling 14% by 2029–30

  • 0.8% of spending · $6.3bn · rising 5% by 2029–30

  • 0.7% of spending · $5.6bn · rising 1% by 2029–30

  • 0.6% of spending · $4.7bn · falling 28% by 2029–30

The 20 biggest programs

Together they're 71% of all spending. Your share, a year:

  1. Revenue assistance to the states and territories Other purposes · $110.3bn
    $2,515
  2. Support for seniors (Age Pension) Social security and welfare · $68.7bn
    $1,567
  3. National Disability Insurance Scheme Social security and welfare · $56.1bn
    $1,280
  4. Aged care services Social security and welfare · $43.8bn
    $998
  5. Medical benefits (Medicare) Health · $37.6bn
    $857
  6. Assistance to the states for healthcare services Health · $37.5bn
    $854
  7. Commonwealth debt management (interest) Other purposes · $31.9bn
    $727
  8. Financial support for people with disability Social security and welfare · $26.3bn
    $599
  9. Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Health · $23.4bn
    $535
  10. Non-government schools national support Education · $21.4bn
    $489
  11. JobSeeker income support Social security and welfare · $18.3bn
    $417
  12. Support for families Social security and welfare · $18.1bn
    $414
  13. Child Care Subsidy Social security and welfare · $16.9bn
    $386
  14. Financial support for carers Social security and welfare · $13.4bn
    $306
  15. Government schools national support Education · $13.0bn
    $296
  16. Defence Force superannuation benefits Other purposes; General public services · $11.0bn
    $250
  17. Army capabilities Defence · $10.8bn
    $246
  18. Fuel Tax Credits Scheme Fuel and energy · $10.7bn
    $244
  19. Public sector superannuation benefits Other purposes; General public services · $10.6bn
    $241
  20. Air Force capabilities Defence · $10.3bn
    $235

How this is worked out

Your income tax and Medicare levy for 2026–27 is split in proportion to the Australian Government's $833.3bn of general government expenses, using the 2026–27 Budget's figures for every function, sub-function and published component. Tax isn't earmarked for particular programs, so this shows how your tax compares with what the Government spends, not where each dollar literally goes.

Forecasts are the Budget's forward estimates to 2029–30. The NDIS line includes the states' contributions to the scheme, and the contingency reserve holds costs not yet allocated to a program.

Source: Budget Paper No. 1 2026–27, Statement 6 (tables 6.3 to 6.17, their component tables and table 6.1.3).

Frequently asked questions

What is the government’s biggest expense?
Social security and welfare: $308.7bn, or 37.1% of spending in 2026–27. The largest parts are the Age Pension ($68.7bn), the NDIS ($56.1bn) and aged care ($43.8bn). Health is next at 16.4%.
How much does the NDIS cost?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme is budgeted at $56.1bn in 2026–27, 6.7% of all Commonwealth spending. That figure includes the states' contributions to the scheme.
How much is spent on Medicare and the PBS?
Medicare rebates (the Medicare Benefits Schedule) cost $37.6bn and PBS medicines $23.5bn in 2026–27. The Commonwealth also contributes $37.5bn to public hospitals run by the states.
How much does Australia spend on defence?
$52.1bn in 2026–27, 6.2% of spending. The Army and Air Force capability programs are the two largest parts, at $10.8bn and $10.3bn.
How much does the government spend on interest?
Public debt interest is estimated at $31.9bn in 2026–27, about 3.8% of spending, and is forecast to rise to $46.9bn by 2029–30.
Why is so much money paid to the states?
The $111.1bn of general revenue assistance is nearly all GST, which the Commonwealth collects and passes to the states and territories to spend as they choose. GST is a separate tax, so the calculator lets you leave it out and spread your income tax over the rest.
What are the biggest government programs?
The five largest in 2026–27 are: Revenue assistance to the states and territories, $110.3bn; Support for seniors (Age Pension), $68.7bn; National Disability Insurance Scheme, $56.1bn; Aged care services, $43.8bn; Medical benefits (Medicare), $37.6bn. The top 20 programs make up 71% of all spending.
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