Returning to Work 5 Days a Week on $80,000
Working 5 days a week on $80,000 gives you a pro-rata salary of $80,000. After tax, your take-home is around $61,933/yr. With benchmark childcare at 5 days over 48 weeks and an estimated CCS subsidy of 90% assuming family income of $80,000, childcare costs $11,107/yr after subsidy.
That leaves an estimated +$50,826/yr after childcare — around $4,236/month. These are benchmark estimates. Use the full calculator below for your actual numbers.
Key figures for this scenario
Childcare fees use the national benchmark of $155/day across 48 work-and-childcare weeks. CCS subsidy is indicative and assumes combined family income of $80,000. Work costs (transport, lunches, clothing) are not included. Use the full calculator for a personalised result.
Is it worth returning to work 5 days a week on $80,000?
At $80,000 working 5 days, this scenario tends to show a clear financial benefit. With a take-home of $61,933 and estimated childcare costs of $11,107 after CCS, the estimated net position is $50,826 per year — a meaningful addition to household income.
But the financial figure is only part of the picture. Even when the short-term numbers are tight, returning to work preserves:
How does this compare to other work patterns?
Here's how the 5-day scenario compares to other days at $80,000:
| Days | Pro-rata salary | Take-home | Childcare (after CCS) | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 days | $32,000 | $26,878 | $4,443 | +$22,435 |
| 3 days | $48,000 | $41,253 | $6,664 | +$34,589 |
| 5 daysthis | $80,000 | $61,933 | $11,107 | +$50,826 |
All figures are benchmark estimates for $80,000 FTE salary using $155/day childcare across 48 work-and-childcare weeks and CCS based on assumed family income of $80,000.
What affects the actual result?
Your actual provider fees. The $155/day benchmark is a national average. Inner-city Sydney or Melbourne providers often charge $170–$220/day, which significantly changes the net outcome.
CCS and the hourly cap. CCS is calculated on a per-hour cap of approximately $12.08 (2025–26). If your provider charges above this, you pay the full gap — and that gap doesn't attract subsidy. Higher-fee providers dramatically reduce the value of the subsidy.
Combined household income. In real life the CCS taper is based on combined family income, not just your income. This benchmark page assumes family income is about $80,000 so it can show a single estimate. If your household income is higher, your real subsidy will be lower.
Work-related costs. Transport, lunches, work clothing, and any subscriptions or services you wouldn't otherwise pay can reduce the net significantly — often $3,000–$8,000/year depending on commute and lifestyle.
Benefits that stop. Family Tax Benefit Part B reduces as your income rises. Factor in any government or employer parental leave payments that will cease.
How this salary handles childcare more broadly. If you want to step back from this exact work-pattern scenario and look at childcare pressure first, compare it with the childcare cost on $80,000 guide before rerunning the full calculator.
💡 Want to see exactly what you'd take home? The full return-to-work calculator below lets you enter your actual fees, transport, household income, and benefits — and shows a complete breakdown.
→ Open the full calculator$80,000 salary — related pages
Compare other scenarios
See how different salaries and childcare days change the financial picture.