Guide
Salary Plus Super vs Package Including Super
How to compare Australian job offers when one salary is plus super and another is total package.
Written for Australian workers and job seekers · Updated 2026-09-13 · General information only
Plain-English answer
Helpful before using the calculator
Updated 2026-09-13
Worked example
Compare the cash salary before comparing the package headline
Offer A is $110,000 plus 12% super, so the simple total is $123,200. Offer B is a $120,000 package including 12% super, which works back to about $107,143 cash salary and $12,857 super when those are the only two components. Offer B has the larger headline but the smaller cash salary. Ask each employer for the exact dollar breakdown before deciding.
Check before relying on it
- Write down base cash salary and super as separate dollar amounts.
- Check whether bonus, commission, car or other benefits sit inside the package.
- Confirm which earnings the employer uses to calculate super.
- Run the take-home comparison from cash salary rather than total package.
What this page helps you answer
What this pay, tax or salary topic means in simple terms.
What number or setting to check next in the calculator.
Which assumption could change the answer most.
When to stop using a rough estimate and ask payroll, the ATO or a qualified adviser.
Why the wording matters
Two offers can look identical and produce different bank-account pay. A $120k salary plus super gives a higher cash salary than a $120k package including super.
Convert package to cash salary
If the package includes super, divide the package by one plus the employer super rate to estimate the cash salary component before tax.
Compare offers after tax
Once you know the cash salary, compare take-home pay, super contributions, bonus arrangements, leave and benefits together.
Before you make a decision
Use the guide to understand the topic, then check the number with your own inputs. If the result affects a resignation, job offer, visa decision, redundancy, tax return or family budget, confirm the details with the right official source or adviser.
Check the financial year.
Confirm whether super is included or added on top.
Check HELP debt and tax residency settings.
Compare weekly, fortnightly and monthly cashflow.
Common questions
Which is better, plus super or including super?
For the same advertised number, plus super usually gives more cash salary and more total remuneration.
Should I ask the employer to clarify?
Yes. Ask whether the figure is base salary plus super or total remuneration package including super.