Estimate the yearly income contribution a bankrupt may have to pay: half of assessed after-tax income above the threshold for the household's number of dependants.
This estimator applies the income contribution rule in the Bankruptcy Act 1966: while you are bankrupt, you pay half of your assessed after-tax income above the actual income threshold amount for your household. AFSA indexes the thresholds on 20 March and 20 September. For the period from 20 September 2026, AFSA lists a base income threshold of $77,886.90 (no dependants). Each dependant raises the threshold; enter the increase in the second box:
| Dependants | Threshold | Enter as increase |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | $77,886.90 | 0 |
| 1 | $91,906.54 | 14,019.64 |
| 2 | $98,916.36 | 21,029.46 |
| 3 | $102,810.71 | 24,923.81 |
| 4 | $104,368.45 | 26,481.55 |
| More than 4 | $105,926.18 | 28,039.28 |
Formula: contribution = (assessed income − threshold) ÷ 2, and nothing if income is below the threshold. The tool subtracts the dependant increase from your income and then applies 50% above the base threshold, which gives the same answer.
Worked example (illustrative): a bankrupt with no dependants and assessed after-tax income of $90,000. $90,000 − $77,886.90 = $12,113.10, half of which is about $6,057 for the year, or roughly $505 a month. With two dependants (enter 21,029.46) the threshold is $98,916.36 and no contribution is payable.
Limits: assessed income is not simply take-home pay. The trustee adds some non-cash benefits, salary sacrifice and certain other items, and may deduct child support paid. A dependant must meet AFSA's definition and earn under a set amount. Contributions are assessed for each year of the bankruptcy, so a pay rise or new job changes the figure. Confirm thresholds on AFSA's indexed amounts page and read income contributions in bankruptcy.
Debt Options, Thresholds and 2026 Rules
How personal bankruptcy works in Australia in 2026, from applying through AFSA to discharge after 3 years and 1 day, debts released and not released, travel, credit and jobs.
Debt Options, Thresholds and 2026 Rules
How compulsory income contributions work in Australian bankruptcy, AFSA's income thresholds by dependants from 20 September 2026, what counts as income and how to vary an assessment.
Worked Examples and Checklists
Five illustrative Australian households showing how bankruptcy income contributions are calculated with AFSA's thresholds from 20 September 2026, including pay rises, bonuses and dependants.
