Australia Tax Revenue
Tax revenue as % of GDP GC.TAX.TOTL.GD.ZS
Australia's tax revenue was 23.39% in 2025, ranked 18th globally. This represents a 0.7% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1972–2025.
Overview
Australia's tax revenue stood at 23.39% in 2025, a decline of +0.18% from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 23.39% by 2025. Australia ranked 18th globally.
Australia's tax revenue as a percentage of GDP has exhibited a moderate growth trajectory over the past five decades. The country's tax revenue peaked in 2001 at 24.81 percent, a year that saw robust economic expansion under the Howard government. Conversely, the trough was reached in 1973 at 16.99 percent, during a period of economic downturn. Since then, tax revenue has generally increased, albeit with fluctuations, reaching 23.39 percent in 2025. Australia's tax revenue performance is comparable to that of peer nations such as Samoa, which boasted a 23.76 percent tax to GDP ratio in 2025. Notably, Australia's tax revenue has declined since its 2001 peak, with a 1.42 percentage point drop, a trend that may be influenced by tax reforms and shifting economic conditions. If Australia's tax revenue continues to follow the downward trajectory observed over the past few years, policymakers may need to reassess tax policies to mitigate the potential impact on public finances.
Data & projection
| Year | Tax Revenue | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 23.39% | - | - |
| 2025 | 23.39% | −0.18% | #18 |
| 2022 | 23.56% | +0.56% | #98 |
| 2021 | 23.00% | +0.50% | #109 |
| 2020 | 22.51% | −0.81% | #119 |
| 2019 | 23.31% | +0.19% | #118 |
| 2018 | 23.12% | +1.10% | #114 |
| 2017 | 22.02% | −0.17% | #111 |
| 2016 | 22.19% | +0.40% | #113 |
| 2015 | 21.79% | −0.02% | #113 |
| 2014 | 21.80% | −0.05% | #109 |
| 2013 | 21.85% | +0.82% | #103 |
| 2012 | 21.03% | +0.77% | #103 |
| 2011 | 20.26% | −0.15% | #96 |
| 2010 | 20.41% | −1.54% | #97 |
| 2009 | 21.95% | −2.20% | #100 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Australia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw tax revenue improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Australia's tax revenue was 23.39% in 2025. Ranked 18th globally. This represents a 0.7% decrease from the previous year.
Australia's tax revenue peaked at 24.81% in 2001.
The lowest tax revenue in Australia was 16.99% in 1973.
Australia ranks 18th globally in tax revenue as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GC.TAX.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Australia's tax revenue is projected to reach 23.39% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The tax revenue of Australia in 2025 was 23.39%. This ranks 18th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_australia_tax-revenue,
title = {Australia Tax Revenue},
url = {https://historysaid.com/australia/tax-revenue/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}