How the check works
- Tax: we work out the tax your employer should withhold from your gross pay using the ATO's PAYG withholding formulas for the pay date (Schedule 1, with Schedule 8 if you have a study loan). Our calculations match every row of the ATO's sample data, so a difference of more than a dollar or two is worth asking about.
- Super: 12% of your ordinary time earnings, which is your gross pay less overtime. Some allowances and bonuses are treated differently, so small differences can be legitimate.
- When super is due: since 1 July 2026, under Payday Super, your employer's super contribution must reach your fund within 7 business days of payday. For a new employee the first contribution can take up to 20 business days.
Why the tax might not match
- You claimed the tax-free threshold with another employer, or not with this one.
- You asked your employer to withhold extra (an upwards variation), or you have a withholding variation from the ATO.
- Your gross pay includes amounts taxed differently, such as back pay, a bonus taxed under Method A, or a termination payment.
- You have a HELP or other study loan, a Medicare levy exemption or a family variation that your employer knows about.
- Salary sacrifice: use your gross pay after salary sacrifice.
If something looks wrong
- Ask your payroll team first. Most errors are a wrong tax-file-number declaration or a missed setting.
- Check your super has arrived in your fund's app or in myGov.
- For unpaid or underpaid wages, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman. For unpaid super, you can lodge an unpaid super enquiry with the ATO through myGov.
General information. This tool checks the standard calculations only and can't see everything about your pay, such as allowances, salary packaging or a withholding variation. It isn't legal or tax advice.
Related: Payday Super, how tax withheld works, why you might owe tax.