ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Taxation in Australia

Okay kiddo, let me explain taxation in Australia to you.

When you go to the store and buy something, you pay some extra money called goods and services tax (GST). This extra money helps the government to pay for the things that everyone needs like roads, schools, hospitals and many other things.

Sometimes, people make money by working in a job, selling things, or owning a business. The government also takes some of this money as income tax. The amount of income tax you pay depends on how much money you make. If you make less money, you may pay less tax, and if you make more money, you may have to pay more tax.

The government also has something called Medicare, which helps people pay for their medical expenses when they go to the hospital or visit a doctor. To pay for Medicare, everyone has to pay a small percentage of their income as a Medicare levy. If you earn more than a certain amount, you may have to pay an extra Medicare surcharge.

There are also taxes on things like cigarettes, alcohol, and petrol (the fuel we put in cars). These taxes are put in place to discourage people from buying too much of these things as they can be harmful to our health and the environment.

Overall, taxes in Australia help the government pay for things that we all need to live comfortably and to keep our country running.