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Remote Area Salary Packaging

Give yourself a pay rise with Remote Area Benefits

If you live and work in a regional and remote location in Australia, you may be able to take advantage of remote area salary packaging to increase your take-home pay.

By using your pre-tax salary to cover eligible expenses such as rental costs, mortgage interest, or residential utilities, you could enjoy significant tax savings while reducing your overall annual living expenses limit.

Remote area benefits are designed to reward those living away from the nearest capital city, making it easier to manage your primary residence expenses, or your lease agreement. Speak with your employer or seek independent financial advice to determine your eligibility criteria and discover how much you could save.

Calculate my savingsAm I eligible

Make the most of living and working remotely

Living in a remote area offers unique opportunities for financial benefits. Whether you live in an employer-owned property, rent a private home, or pay the interest portion of your remote area mortgage, remote area salary packaging allows eligible employees to cover these costs using their pre-tax salary.

Additional savings may apply to remote area residential fuel, and even remote area holiday transport for your immediate family.

The benefits you receive can vary depending on your personal circumstances, so it’s important to understand your financial situation and how your employer offers fringe benefits in your remote location. With the right approach, you can pay less tax and put more money in your pocket each week.

Calculate my savings

Am I eligible for Remote Area Benefits?

To qualify for remote area benefits, you must live and work in an ATO-designated remote area, and your employer must agree to this mutually beneficial arrangement. Eligibility criteria may vary depending on your personal circumstances, so it’s important to confirm your options with your employer and explore how remote area salary packaging could apply to you.

What benefits can I salary package?

Eligible employees may be able to salary package the following remote area benefits using their pre-tax salary:

  • Remote Area Rent: Reduce your rental costs by packaging up to 50% of your rent.
  • Remote Area Mortgage Interest: Save on the interest portion of your home loan for your primary residence in a remote location.

Remote Area Fuel: Salary package residential utilities such as electricity and gas for your primary place of residence.

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How it works: real-life example

Harry lives in Emerald, QLD, and works for a machinery equipment firm in the same area. As Emerald qualifies as a remote area, and his employer offers this benefit, Harry is eligible to package 50% of his rental costs as tax-free.

Here’s how Harry saves:

  • Harry currently pays $600 per week in rent.
  • By salary packaging $300 per week using his pre-tax salary, he reduces his taxable income.
  • On a salary of $73,000, this arrangement saves Harry approximately $5,174 annually, or $99.50 net per week.

This significant tax saving helps Harry increase his take-home pay while enjoying the financial advantages of remote area salary packaging.

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Why Salary Packaging Australia?

Salary Packaging Australia are the specialists in novated leasing and salary packaging for employers right across the country.

Our team will handle everything for both you and your employer. It’s a ‘win-win’ for everyone.

Thousands of Australian remote & regional workers love salary packaging through us

“Thank you for all your assistance. I am happy to recommend SPA to friends and colleagues.”

Christine
NT Government

“Thank you so much for your help me through this process. SPA has been awesome to me and my family for the past 5-6 years, I would recommend you guys to anyone and everyone I know.”

Kylie
Local Government

“Thank you to all at SPA who have been so easy to deal with over the years.”

Greg
Urban & Regional Planner

“I am very satisfied with the customer service I have received from you and would not hesitate in dealing with SPA in the future.”

Barry
Education & Training

“Thank you for all your assistance in the past year. It’s refreshing to get such great customer service these days.”

Barbara
Local Government

“On behalf of myself and Aiden I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your assistance whilst dealing with Aiden’s Salary Packaging over the past few years. Your customer service has been prompt, reliable and professional.”

Anna
Full FBT Employer

“Thanks you, I must also say what a pleas(ur)e your company is to deal with! After my very poor experience and big financial loss with (name withheld) it is such a relief to deal with a professional company with online resource tracking that you can look at 24/7 for peace of mind!”

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Getting into the details

Fact Sheet

Learn more and see a real-life example of how much you could save

Blog: The Little Known Salary Packaging Perk

Blog: How to save thousands in Tax and help out your community

Calculate my savings

See how S.P.A. can help decrease your expenditure whilst saving you income tax each pay cycle!

Have any questions or need to learn more?

* This calculator contains general information and does not necessarily take all of your personal circumstances into account. Salary Packaging Australia encourages you to seek professional, independent tax or financial advice and to consider whether this information is right for you before making a decision. The availability of any packaging benefit is subject to your employer’s approval and compliance with the Australian Income Tax Assessment Act (1997). The Australian Taxation Office can provide advice on compliance.

Need help or want to discuss?

Contact our team directly, we are here to help

CALL 1300 786 664

Need help or want to discuss?

Contact our team, we are here to help

CALL 1300 786 664