- Last updated:
- 15 Nov 2017
The Sunshine Coast's low business costs make the region a highly cost-effective place to operate. The region boasts:
- Australia's lowest payroll tax rates
- Lower operating costs, compared to the state averages in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.
Payroll tax
Queensland has the lowest payroll tax rate of any state or territory in Australia. Taxation in Queensland in 2016-17 was estimated to be A$866 per person less than the average of other Australian states and territories (Queensland Government, Low Business Costs in Queensland, July 2015). Furthermore, Queensland companies are not required to pay any payroll tax until total wages and salaries exceed A$1.1 million.
State or Territory | Basic Flat Tax Rate (%) | Exemption Threshold |
---|---|---|
Queensland (including Sunshine Coast) |
4.75 | A$1,100,000 |
Victoria | 4.85 | A$550,000 |
South Australia | 4.95 | A$600,000 |
New South Wales | 5.45 | A$750,000 |
Western Australia | 5.5 | A$800,000 |
Northern Territory | 5.5 | A$1,500,000 |
Tasmania | 6.1 | A$1,250,000 |
Australian Capital Territory | 6.85 | A$1,185,000 |
National average | 5.49 | |
Difference to Sunshine Coast | 0.74 |
Source: Qld Office of State Revenue (2013); NSW Office of State Revenue (2013); VIC State Revenue Office (2013); Revenue SA (2013); WA Office of State Revenue (2013); Tasmania State Revenue Office (2013); NT Revenue Office (2013); ACT Revenue Office (2013)
Indicative Industrial Land Values (3,000 - 5,000m2)
Industrial land costs per square metre on the Sunshine Coast are, on average, 51% lower than Brisbane, 71% lower than Sydney and 61% lower than Melbourne.
Sunshine Coast | A$150/m2 |
Brisbane | A$300/m2 |
Melbourne* | A$386/m2 |
Sydney* | A$444/m2 |
Source: Savills, September 2015
* Median price for CBD and outer suburbs
Commercial Office Rental
Office rent costs on the Sunshine Coast on average, are almost 41% lower than Brisbane CBD costs, 61% lower than Sydney and 55% lower than Melbourne.
Locality | Mid-point (A$/sm2) |
---|---|
Sunshine Coast | A$295 |
Gold Coast | A$318 |
Brisbane CBD | A$503 |
Melbourne CBD* | A$657 |
Sydney CBD | A$750 |
Source: Savills, 2015
* Savills, 2016
Operating Costs
The Sunshine Coast has on average, lower workforce costs in terms of weekly wages and employee insurance rates than the other major states of New South Wales and Victoria. This means lower operating costs for employers on the Sunshine Coast.
Location | Median Weekly Household Income |
Workcover Premium Cost Per $100 in Wages |
---|---|---|
Sunshine Coast | A$1,010 | A$1.20 |
QLD | A$1,235 | A$1.20 |
NSW* | A$1,081 | A$1.40 |
VIC | A$1,216 | A$1.27 |
* NSW Office of State Revenue (2016)