Unpack Property
Grants - Tool 05

First Home Super Saver Calculator

Plan your FHSS salary sacrifice with proper ATO rules: 85% release ratio, SIC deemed earnings, 30% withdrawal-tax offset, yearly and lifetime caps.

  • About 3 minutes
  • ATO rules verified July 2026
  • Free, no sign-up

Your situation

Saving as

Marginal rate (incl. Medicare): 32.0%

Salary sacrifice

How often

$15,000 a year. FHSS caps: $15,000 per year, $50,000 lifetime (per person). Super Guarantee (12%) counts against your $32,500 concessional cap.

Multi-year plan

Adjust each year

Cap: $15,000/yr

Cap: $15,000/yr

Cap: $15,000/yr

Cap: $15,000/yr

Total planned contribution
$50,000
Lifetime cap
$50,000

Your plan adds up to $60,000, over the $50,000 lifetime cap. Only $50,000 counts toward FHSS, so the extra $10,000 is left out of the results.

Estimated net cash to buy your home

$46,526

What an FHSS release could pay out after withdrawal tax, from $50,000 of salary sacrifice over 4 years. An estimate based on these inputs and current ATO rules.

Total contributed
$50,000
Tax saved (vs take-home)
$8,500
Net benefit after withdrawal tax
$6,591

Check before you contribute

Check with your super fund and the ATO before acting on any FHSS plan.

On track

You're maxing the lifetime FHSS cap of $50,000.

Tax saving breakdown

Money going into super each year, and what comes out at release.

Going in

Per-year contribution and the tax saved each year.

  1. Yr 1$15,000+$2,550 saved
  2. Yr 2$15,000+$2,550 saved
  3. Yr 3$15,000+$2,550 saved
  4. Yr 4$5,000+$850 saved
Total contributed
$50,000
Super tax (15%)
$7,500
Tax saved (vs take-home)
$8,500

Withdrawal at release

What the ATO releases and the tax it withholds.

Releasable85% of contributions plus deemed earnings
$48,435
Deemed earnings (ATO SIC 7.51%)
$5,935
Withdrawal taxMarginal 32.0% minus the 30% offset = 3.9%
-$1,909
Net cash to buy your home
$46,526

FHSS vs same gross $ in a bank

What you actually end up with from the same pre-tax salary, comparing FHSS salary sacrifice vs paying income tax and putting the rest in a bank.

Take home, then save in bank

$34,000

Pay income tax on it (about 32.0%), save remainder.

Salary sacrifice via FHSS

$46,526

Tax at 15% into super, release with 30% offset.

FHSS advantage: +$12,526 (+36.8%)

Based on these inputs, the FHSS route leaves more for a deposit than saving the same pre-tax pay in a bank.

Withdrawal process timeline

Request the determination BEFORE you sign a purchase contract. The ATO releases once - get it right the first time.

  1. Request determination

    Log in to myGov, then the ATO. Request an FHSS determination. ATO calculates your eligible release amount.

    Up to 10 business days (usually)

  2. Submit release request

    You can only submit ONE release request (before signing a contract). Determination is non-refundable if you cancel.

    Before signing contract

  3. ATO contacts your super fund

    ATO instructs your fund to release. Fund pays ATO, ATO withholds tax (marginal rate minus 30% offset), pays remainder to you.

    15 to 25 business days

  4. Funds in your bank

    You must sign a purchase contract within 12 months of release (extendable once for 12 more months) or re-contribute to super.

    Sign contract within 12 months

Eligibility checklist

The core FHSS conditions. Tick the ones that apply.

Core conditions ticked

Conditions met based on inputs above. The ATO makes the final determination - confirm via myGov before making contributions or lodging a release request.

Worth knowing

  • ATO SIC deemed earnings (7.51%) accrue on your running balance - usually beats a savings account.
  • If your total super balance was under $500k on 30 June last year, unused concessional cap from the past 5 years can be carried forward. You may be able to contribute more than the $32,500 shown here - check your myGov → ATO unused cap.

Estimates use ATO FHSS rules: 85% of contributions released, deemed earnings at the ATO shortfall interest charge rate, withdrawal tax at your marginal rate (incl. Medicare) less a 30% offset, and the yearly and lifetime caps. Your super fund and the ATO confirm the actual amounts. Data as of July 2026.

Keep going

Tools people usually open after the FHSS Calculator.

Deposit Boost ComparatorFHSS is one path to a deposit. See it next to bank savings, a family gift, a guarantor, the 5% Deposit Scheme and Help to Buy.4 minBuy Now vs WaitFHSS boosts your saving rate during the wait. Compare buying sooner against waiting to save 20%, with wealth at year 10, 15 and 30.4 minCo-Buying CalculatorBuying together? Each first home buyer has their own FHSS balance. Combine per-person FHSS pools across 2 to 4 people.6 minDeposit TimelineMap your deposit month by month. Compare plain savings vs First Home Super Saver, with tax savings and 2/5/10/20% milestones.3 minGrant StackerEvery federal and state grant, concession and scheme you may be eligible for.4 minBorrowing PowerHow much you can borrow, and how government schemes extend your capacity.2 minLMI CalculatorYour LMI cost, upfront vs capitalised, and how FHG or Help to Buy can waive it.2 minIncome Tax Bracket ExplorerSee exactly how Australia's progressive tax brackets apply to your income. Marginal and effective rates for residents, non-residents, and working holiday makers.2 min

Frequently asked questions

The FHSS scheme lets you make voluntary contributions into your existing super fund, then withdraw those contributions later to use as a home deposit. Because super contributions are generally taxed at 15% rather than your regular income tax rate, you may end up with more money toward your deposit than if you saved the same amount in a bank account - though how much you benefit depends on your income. The ATO administers the scheme, and your super fund handles the contributions on their end.
Data verified July 2026

For illustration only. This tool does not constitute personal financial advice. Grant amounts, caps, and eligibility rules may change. Federal scheme caps shown are for capital city/regional centres and may differ for other areas. Always verify with your state revenue office and Housing Australia, and consider seeking independent financial advice before making decisions.