31 March 2025

Eligibility for regional payroll tax rate

The State Revenue Office has recently clarified the eligibility criteria for the reduced payroll tax rate that regional employers can access under the Payroll Tax Act 2007

To explain what Regional Victoria means in this context, the Payroll Tax Act references section 18(8) of the First Home Owner Grant and Home Buyer Schemes Act 2000, which provides a specific definition. 

Regional Victoria is:

“The municipal districts of the municipal councils listed in Schedule 1 below.”

The annual payroll tax-free threshold from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025 is $900,000, with a monthly threshold of $75,000. The payroll tax rate is 4.85%, except for employers in regional Victoria, where the rate is approximately 1.22%.

To qualify, a business must: 

1. Pay at least 85% of its total taxable wages to employees classified as regional employees (those who perform more than 50% of their work in regional Victoria). 

2. Meet this 85% threshold on an annual basis (not necessarily every month). 

Key considerations: 

  • The location of work, not the employer's registered office, determines eligibility. 
  • Remote work arrangements are assessed based on where employees physically perform their duties. 
  • To substantiate claims, businesses must keep accurate records, such as payroll reports, work location logs, and employment contracts. 
  • Businesses uncertain about eligibility are encouraged to seek a private ruling from the State Revenue Office. 

For more details, visit the State Revenue Office Victoria: sro.vic.gov.au.

Schedule 1—Municipal councils in regional Victoria

Alpine Shire Council

Macedon Ranges Shire Council

Ararat Rural City Council

Mansfield Shire Council

Ballarat City Council

Mildura Rural City Council

Bass Coast Shire Council

Mitchell Shire Council

Baw Baw Shire Council

Moira Shire Council

Benalla Rural City Council

Moorabool Shire Council

Buloke Shire Council

Mount Alexander Shire Council

Campaspe Shire Council

Moyne Shire Council

Central Goldfields Shire Council

Murrindindi Shire Council

Colac Otway Shire Council

Northern Grampians Shire Council

Corangamite Shire Council

Pyrenees Shire Council

East Gippsland Shire Council

Borough of Queenscliffe

Gannawarra Shire Council

South Gippsland Shire Council

Glenelg Shire Council

Southern Grampians Shire Council

Golden Plains Shire Council

Strathbogie Shire Council

Greater Bendigo City Council

Surf Coast Shire Council

Greater Geelong City Council

Swan Hill Rural City Council

Greater Shepparton City Council

Towong Shire Council

Hepburn Shire Council

Wangaratta Rural City Council

Hindmarsh Shire Council

Warrnambool City Council

Horsham Rural City Council

Wellington Shire Council

Indigo Shire Council

West Wimmera Shire Council

Latrobe City Council

Wodonga City Council

Loddon Shire Council

Yarriambiack Shire Council