Teachers, truckies on tax benefit list

Treasury data has revealed primary school teachers, nurses and truck drivers will be among those best off under the government’s contentiously revised stage-three tax cuts.

The changes to Stage 3 tax cuts were met with allegations of broken promises from the opposition when announced its change of plans in February.

But the government maintains it made the change because more Australians will be better off as a result of the revision.

Numbers from the Treasury suggest WA taxpayers will be $140 better off annually than the national average under the new system, which will deliver an average tax cut of $2,030 to taxpayers in the state.

Around 81 per cent of WA taxpayers, or 1.2 million people, will receive a bigger tax cut than was previously legislated.

Industries that stand to benefit nationally include early childhood and primary school teachers, 98 per cent of whom better off than they would have been under the previous tax plan, as well as truck drivers, aged care workers and registered nurses (97 per cent better off).

Around 70 per cent of chief executives and managing directors will receive a bigger tax break than they would have under the previous system.

The same percentage of drillers, miners and shot firers will receive a greater tax break, as will 63 per cent of engineering technicians.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the changes would help Western Australians keep more of what they earn.

“Our changes mean bigger tax cuts for nurses, truckies, teachers, diesel fitters and drill operators in WA,” he said.

“That means more help for working families and more help for people already under the pump.”

Cost of living relief has been a major point of conversation for state and federal leaders this week, with the federal cabinet in town until today.

Treasury estimates those on an income of $100,000 will be $41.90 better off each week as a result of the new tax cuts, a benefit which jumps to $51.52 per week for those on $120,000 and $71.71/week for those paid between $140,000 and $180,000.

Those on salaries of $200,000 will get a tax cut of around $87.10 per week, down from $174.50 per week under the previously legislated plan.