Gross income is a vanity metric. For David and Lisa, their combined $120,000 salary sounds comfortable, but the reality is a complex simulation of taxes, childcare gaps, and mortgage friction.
After the Australian government and the bank take their slice, they are left with $61,645—their true Household Remainder.
The Income Simulation
David earns $80,000, which, after $14,788 in tax and a $1,600 Medicare Levy, leaves him with $63,612 net. Lisa’s $40,000 salary results in $36,287 net take-home after her own $2,913 tax and $800 levy.
Together, they bring in $99,899 in net earnings. But the simulation is just beginning.
The Childcare High-Wire Act
With three children under five—Mia (4), Ben (2), and Zoe (1)—the cost of care is a massive $75,138 ($25,046 per child). Without the right technical validation, this family would be underwater.
- The Multi-Child Boost: Because they have multiple children under 5, Ben and Zoe receive a 95% CCS rate ($21,756 each), while Mia receives 83% ($19,021).
- The QLD Dividend: Living in Queensland provides a specific $4,214 "Free Kindy" benefit for Mia, narrowing her gap to just $1,811.
- The Net Result: Their total out-of-pocket childcare cost is reduced from $75k down to just $8,391 annually.
The Family Ledger
Beyond childcare, the family receives $7,078 in Family Tax Benefit (FTB) Part A. This isn't just "extra" money; it's the buffer that offsets their $36,972 annual mortgage repayment.
The Binary Reality
When you run the numbers through the entitlemate "Digital Twin," the fog of "gross vs. net" disappears.
- Total Outflows: $36,972 (Mortgage) + $8,391 (Childcare Gap) + $20,101 (Taxes/Levies)
- Total Inflows: $120,000 (Gross) + $62,533 (CCS) + $4,214 (Kindy) + $7,078 (FTB)
The result is a clear $61,645 in free cash flow. This is the only number that matters.
Stop guessing about your "gross" and start modeling your "pocket." See your real position in the entitlemate app today.