Foreign Spouse Tax Treatment
Marrying or partnering with someone overseas? Here's how a foreign spouse affects your Australian tax obligations and government benefits.
Spouse Income Test
Australia doesn't have joint filing like the US. But your spouse's income does affect: Medicare levy surcharge thresholds (family income), Private health insurance rebate, Senior and pensioners tax offset, and various Centrelink payments.
You must report your spouse's worldwide income on your tax return — even if they don't lodge an Australian return and have never been to Australia.
Medicare Levy Surcharge Family Threshold
For MLS purposes, your family income includes your spouse's income. Current ATO family thresholds load from the shared AU tax engine. If combined income exceeds the base tier and neither of you has adequate private hospital cover, the surcharge applies.
Superannuation Splitting
You can split up to 85% of your concessional contributions with your spouse. This is useful if your spouse has a lower super balance. Your spouse must be under preservation age OR between preservation age and 65. The spouse doesn't need to be an AU resident to receive split contributions into an AU super fund.
Family Tax Benefit
FTB Part A and Part B have detailed Services Australia income tests that can include your spouse's income. This quick checker flags when you should review FTB, but it no longer estimates FTB outcomes from stale page-local thresholds.
Quick Impact Checker
Visa & Residency Considerations
- Partner visa (subclass 820/801): Sponsoring a foreign spouse to Australia. Once granted, they become a permanent resident and AU tax resident — taxed on worldwide income.
- Spouse visa processing time: Currently 15–24 months for onshore partner visas. During this time, your spouse may be on a bridging visa with work rights.
- Foreign spouse TFN: Your spouse needs a TFN if they have any Australian-source income or are included in your tax return as a dependent.
- Joint bank accounts: If you have joint accounts with your foreign spouse, the interest income is split 50/50 (or by beneficial ownership) for tax purposes.