Could you be missing out on salary packaging benefits?
Smart research suggests some workers may not be making the most of salary packaging opportunities available to them.
16 September 2026
Making your salary go further is important for many Australians.
The 2026 Smart Cost of Living Report, based on a nationally representative survey of more than 2,000 Australian workers, has found that maximising take-home pay and reducing tax are important priorities for almost all workers we surveyed. Yet many respondents aren't fully utilising the salary packaging benefits available through their employer.
Key findings in Smart's 2026 Cost of Living Report
Among the 2000+ working Australians who participated in the Smart survey, 81% of workers are familiar with salary packaging.
But not all were sure if it was available to them.
Australians want more from their pay
One of the clearest messages from the research is that Australians are firmly focused on take-home pay.
98% say maximising take-home pay and reducing tax are important priorities, ranking ahead of flexible work arrangements, additional leave benefits and even market-leading salaries for the surveyed workers.
That makes salary packaging particularly relevant during a period of ongoing cost-of-living pressure.
Awareness is strong, but uptake could be higher
While most workers surveyed in our research have heard of salary packaging, many said they weren’t fully using the benefits available to them.
Almost one in four of the surveyed workers whose employer offers salary packaging said they hadn't used any salary packaging benefits in the past year.
That means some employees may not be making use of the available benefits to stretch their salary further.
What benefits are Australians using?
The most commonly used salary packaging benefits, as nominated by our survey respondents, include:
- Voluntary superannuation contributions
- Novated leasing
- Laptops and personal electronics
- Rent or mortgage benefits
- Meals and entertainment benefits
Salary packaging isn't just for one expense type. Depending on your employer and eligibility, there may be a range of benefits available.
Not sure what benefits are available to you?
One of the biggest barriers highlighted in the research wasn't a lack of interest.
It was a lack of awareness.
Some employees in our research simply weren't sure whether salary packaging was available through their employer, while others weren't clear on what benefits they could access.
Taking a few minutes to understand what's available through your workplace could help uncover opportunities you're not currently using.
Why salary packaging matters right now
Cost-of-living pressure has encouraged many Australians to review their spending.
But increasing your take-home pay may be just as important as reducing expenses.
For eligible employees, salary packaging could help reduce taxable income and increase take-home pay.
For employees considering buying a new or secondhand car, novated leasing combines salary packaging with vehicle ownership and is one of the most popular salary packaged benefits identified in the research.
What this means for you
The survey suggests many Australians are looking for practical ways to make their income go further.
If your employer offers salary packaging, understanding the benefits available to you could be one of the simplest places to start.
What to do next
If you're looking for ways to stretch your salary, now could be a good time to review your salary packaging options.
Smart could help you:
- Understand what benefits may be available through your employer
- Estimate potential savings with salary packaging
- Explore novated leasing options if you're considering a new or secondhand car
Smart 2026 Cost of Living Report details
Source: 2026 Smart Cost of Living Survey
Respondents: 2,033 working Australians aged 18–65
Survey period: 27 June 2026 to 9 July 2026
Nationally representative by age, gender and location
Research partner: Pureprofile
Frequently asked questions about salary packaging benefits
Important Information
This is general information only. Before entering into any salary packaging or novated leasing arrangement, you should consider your objectives, financial situation and needs, and obtain appropriate legal, tax, financial, or other professional advice based upon your own particular circumstances. The availability of benefits is determined by your employer. Conditions and fees apply. Smartsalary, ABN 24 096 796 100, a SmartTM company. This information is current as at August 2026.