The start of a new financial year is the perfect time to get your finances in order. Whether you’re saving for a home, tackling rising living costs, or just looking to make your salary work harder, salary packaging can help you build a smarter budget and keep more of your income.
Salary packaging (also called salary sacrifice) allows you to pay for certain expenses from your pre-tax salary, reducing your taxable income and lowering the amount of tax you pay. With the right setup, you could see significant savings over the course of the year.
Here’s how salary packaging works, who’s eligible, and why it’s one of the smartest moves you can make this financial year.
What is Salary Packaging?
Salary packaging is an agreement between you and your employer to use part of your pre-tax salary to pay for approved expenses. Because these payments are made before tax is calculated, your taxable income decreases, which means you pay less income tax.
Common items that can be salary packaged include:
Superannuation contributions – boost your retirement savings tax-effectively
Work-related devices – laptops, phones, tablets
Living expenses and meal entertainment (for eligible industries)
Novated leases – package your car and its running costs into one pre-tax deduction
Who Can Salary Package?
Not everyone realises they’re eligible for salary packaging. As long as your employer has a relationship with a salary packaging provider like Easi and you can get approved for finance, you're eligible! Let’s break it down a bit:
Private Sector Employees
Most private companies in Australia allow their employees to salary package a novated lease or superannuation contributions.
Government Employees
Federal, state, and local government employees typically have access to a range of salary packaging options, including novated leasing and, in some cases, work-related electronics.
Healthcare & Not-for-Profit Employees
Workers in hospitals, charities, and other not-for-profit organisations can often package living expenses (up to a set cap), plus meal entertainment, and even mortgage repayments. These industries enjoy some of the most generous packaging rules in Australia.
SMEs and Contractors
If you’re employed by a small business or as a contractor, salary packaging depends on whether your employer has arrangements in place with a provider like Easi.
Tip: The simplest way to check is to ask your HR or payroll team, or speak directly with a salary packaging expert.
Find out how much you can save with a novated lease
How Salary Packaging Can Improve Your Budget
Here’s why salary packaging is such a powerful tool for building financial confidence:
1. Pay Less Tax
By reducing your taxable income, you could move into a lower tax bracket or pay less tax at your current rate.
2. Smooth Your Cashflow
Big-ticket expenses like car repayments, insurance and servicing are bundled into one regular pre-tax deduction, helping you avoid large lump-sum bills.
3. Unlock GST Savings
With a novated lease, your employer can claim back the GST on your car purchase price and running costs, passing those savings directly on to you.
How Salary Packaging Can Improve Your Budget
Here’s why salary packaging is such a powerful tool for building financial confidence:
1. Pay Less Tax
By reducing your taxable income, you could move into a lower tax bracket or pay less tax at your current rate.
2. Smooth Your Cashflow
Big-ticket expenses like car repayments, insurance and servicing are bundled into one regular pre-tax deduction, helping you avoid large lump-sum bills.
3. Unlock GST Savings
With a novated lease, your employer can claim back the GST on your car purchase price and running costs, passing those savings directly on to you.
Novated Leasing: The Ultimate Budget Booster
A novated lease is one of the most popular forms of salary packaging because it simplifies car ownership and maximises tax benefits.
With an Easi novated lease, you can:
Drive the car you want without paying GST on the purchase price
Package running costs like fuel, tyres, registration and insurance
Spread costs evenly across the year with a single pre-tax deduction
Take advantage of Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemptions for eligible electric vehicles
Pick a car, any car!
How to Get Started With Salary Packaging
Starting is simpler than you think. Here’s how:
Check Your Eligibility – Ask your employer or consult with Easi to confirm what you can package.
Choose Your Benefits – Decide if you want to package a car, super, or other approved items.
Work With a Specialist – Easi will calculate your potential savings and set up your salary deductions.
Enjoy the Benefits – Watch your budget improve as you pay less tax and simplify your expenses.
Why Start Now?
The earlier you set up salary packaging this financial year, the more you can save. Acting now lets you:
Spread tax savings across 12 months
Take advantage of current government incentives (especially for EVs)
Start the new year with a clearer, stronger budget
Build a Smarter Budget With Easi
At Easi, we’ve helped thousands of Australians take control of their finances with novated leasing and salary packaging solutions. Our team will guide you through every step and ensure you unlock the maximum benefits.
Ready to pay less tax and stretch your salary further? Contact us today and start building a better budget this year!
