Return to Work Worth It Calculator NZ

This calculator helps a New Zealand parent work out whether going back to a job actually pays once the real costs of working are taken into account. A salary offer looks straightforward on its own, but once tax, childcare, commuting and the small extra costs of being out each day are subtracted, the genuine gain can be far smaller than expected, and sometimes barely worth the disruption to family life. You enter your annual salary, your weekly childcare cost, your weekly commuting cost, and any other weekly work costs such as clothes, lunches or extra takeaways. The calculator converts your salary to net pay using current tax brackets and the ACC levy, turns that into a weekly figure, then subtracts your weekly costs to show what is genuinely left over per week. It also shows your net pay per week, your total work costs per week, and an effective hourly rate over a standard 38 hour week, often the most revealing number of all. Use it to compare job offers, test how a pay rise or a change in childcare fees changes the picture, or simply to have an honest number to weigh against the non-financial reasons for returning to work. Working for Families and childcare subsidies are not included, so check your entitlements, as they can meaningfully improve the result. This is an indicative estimate only, not financial advice.

Calculate.co.nz is proud to be partnered with Premium Homes, a recognised leader in eco-friendly, sustainable, and energy-efficient homebuilding. With a dedicated team and award-winning experience, they create homes that prioritise health, comfort, and long-term performance. Their founders, Andrew and Kelly, set out to raise the standard of residential construction in New Zealand by combining practical building expertise with a clear commitment to doing things better for homeowners.
Calculate.co.nz partner: Premium Homes
Advertise on this page
$
$
$
$
$471
left over per week after the costs of working
Net pay per week$871
Work costs per week$400
Effective hourly (38h)$12.41

Net pay uses the 2026/27 tax brackets and the ACC levy. This is a simple comparison; Working for Families and the childcare subsidy can improve the picture, so check your entitlements. Estimate only, not financial advice.

How it works

The calculator works out your net pay after tax and the ACC levy, converts it to a weekly figure, then subtracts your weekly childcare, commuting and other work costs. What is left is the genuine weekly gain from working. It also shows that gain as an effective hourly rate over a 38 hour week, which can be sobering when childcare is high, and is the honest number to weigh against your circumstances.

Worked example

A $55,000 salary is about $871 net a week. With $300 childcare, $60 commuting and $40 other costs, that is $400 of work costs, leaving around $471 a week. Over a 38 hour week that is about $12.39 an hour, which may or may not feel worth it depending on your situation.

Related calculators

Data sources: the rates and thresholds on this page are maintained against Inland Revenue and ACC. Figures are checked twice monthly.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if returning to work is worth it?

Take your net pay after tax, then subtract the real costs of working such as childcare, commuting and extra spending. What is left is the true financial gain, which helps you weigh it against the non-financial sides of the decision.

Why can returning to work leave so little?

Childcare for young children is a large cost, and when it lands on top of tax, transport and other working costs, the net gain from a second income can be small in the early years before children start school.

Does this consider Working for Families?

This is a simple net comparison. Working for Families, the childcare subsidy and other support can change the picture, so check your entitlements; they often improve the case for returning to work.