Guide to the Australian financial year

When does the Australian financial year start and end?

Australia's financial year has fixed boundaries that never change. It begins on 1 July and concludes on 30 June the following year. We are currently in FY2025 to 26, meaning the year opened on 1 July 2025 and closes on 30 June 2026.

The 30 June end date is particularly significant, as it marks the deadline for finalising records and lodging tax returns.

Why does the Australian financial year start in July?

Australia’s July to June system originates from British fiscal practices but shifted to suit local conditions. Agriculture influenced this timing, as July follows harvest periods. Federation in 1901 formalised the structure, aligning it with government budgeting cycles.

Australian financial year terminology explained

Understanding common terms that the Australian tax year operates on is essential. Here are a few to start with:

Financial year (FY): The 12 months from 1 July to 30 June that are used for tax purposes and accounting
End of financial year (EOFY): The 30 June cutoff for accounts and tax preparation
BAS (business activity statement): Reports GST, PAYG, and obligations
PAYG (Pay-as-you-go): Tax withheld throughout the year
STP (Single Touch Payroll): The payroll reporting system sent to the ATO
Superannuation guarantee (SG): Employer contributions (11.5% for FY2025 to 26)
FBT (fringe benefits tax): Tax on non-cash benefits (1 April to 31 March)

The 4 quarters of the Australian financial year

The Australian financial year is divided into 4 quarters:

Q1 runs from 1 July to 30 September, with BAS and super due 28 October
Q2 runs from 1 October to 31 December, with BAS due 28 February and super due 28 January
Q3 runs from 1 January to 31 March, with BAS and super due 28 April
Q4 runs from 1 April to 30 June, with BAS and super due 28 July

Super must be received by the fund by the due date, not just initiated. You should allow 3 to 7 business days for clearing, so it helps to submit well in advance.

Key dates and deadlines in the full Australian financial year calendar

Keeping track of every deadline is one of the most practical things a business owner can do. Below is a full breakdown for FY2025 to 26 within the financial year framework.

BAS lodgement deadlines

Monthly BAS is due on the 21st of the following month. Quarterly deadlines are 28 October 2025 (Q1), 28 February 2026 (Q2), 28 April 2026 (Q3), and 28 July 2026 (Q4). A registered BAS agent can extend most quarters by 28 days, except Q2, which is already extended.

Superannuation guarantee deadlines

Super must be received by the fund by 28 October 2025 (Q1), 28 January 2026 (Q2), 28 April 2026 (Q3), and 28 July 2026 (Q4). Missing these triggers the non-deductible Superannuation Guarantee Charge (SGC). From 1 July 2026, employers must pay superannuation with each payroll cycle instead of quarterly under the Payday Super reform.

Tax return lodgement deadlines

Self-lodging individuals, sole traders, partnerships, and trusts must file by 31 October 2026. Companies without an agent have until 28 February 2027. All entities using a registered tax agent can lodge by 15 May 2027, provided prior years are lodged and you register before 31 October.

PAYG and STP deadlines

STP finalisation for FY2025 to 26 is due 14 July 2026, so employees can access income statements via myGov. The Taxable Payments Annual Report (TPAR) is due 28 August 2026 for eligible industries, including building, cleaning, IT, and security.

Fringe benefits tax (FBT) deadlines

The FBT year ends 31 March 2026. Return lodgement and payment are due 21 May 2026, or later via a tax agent. If your business provides non-cash benefits such as vehicles or entertainment to employees, you need to report and pay FBT annually.

What do you need to do at EOFY?

By 30 June, you should have your accounts reconciled, outstanding invoices reviewed, and all employee wages, superannuation, and STP submissions confirmed as accurate.

On the tax side, review claimable expenses, including assets under the AUD $20,000 instant asset write-off threshold for eligible businesses. Make sure super contributions you want to claim this year are received by the fund before 30 June, not just sent.

How to complete a tax return in Australia

The process varies by business structure, so review the general guidelines below:

Sole traders and self-employed

Sole traders report business income and expenses in their individual tax return using the ATO's myTax portal, available from 1 July. The self-lodgement deadline is 31 October, and myTax pre-fills much of the data from employers, banks, and the ATO's own records.

Partnerships

A partnership lodges a return to declare net income or loss, which is then distributed to each partner per their agreement. Each partner includes their share in their individual return. The deadline is 31 October if self-lodged, or extended if using a tax agent.

Companies

Companies lodge a separate return and pay tax on net income. Base rate entities (aggregated turnover under AUD $50 million) pay 25%; others pay 30%. Returns are due 28 February without an agent or 15 May through a registered tax agent.

EOFY checklist for business owners

Work through the following before the end of the financial year on 30 June:

Reconcile accounts and credit cards.
Ensure invoices and expenses are recorded.
Finalise payroll, STP, and super.
Review asset write-off eligibility.
Make final super contributions.
Confirm BAS lodgements are current.
Gather supporting documentation.
Book time with your accountant early.

Can you change your financial year-end in Australia?

Most businesses are locked from 1 July to 30 June. Certain entities, particularly foreign subsidiaries, can apply to the ATO for a Substituted Accounting Period (SAP) to use a different year-end date.

These are uncommon for small businesses and require a genuine operational reason. The ATO assesses each application individually, and approval is not guaranteed.

How do companies choose their financial year-end?

For businesses without an ATO exemption, there is no choice: the financial year ends 30 June. Companies operating internationally may align their Australian entity with a parent company's reporting calendar, but this requires ATO approval.

For businesses operating solely in Australia, the standard year-end aligns with ATO requirements, accounting software, and payroll cycles, making it the most practical option.

Common EOFY challenges and how to handle them

Incomplete records are a common issue when managing financial year obligations. You should reconcile accounts regularly rather than reconstructing data later, as this reduces errors and saves time.

Late super payments can trigger penalties, so always allow sufficient processing time to ensure funds are received by the due date. Missed BAS deadlines also incur penalties starting from AUD $280, which can quickly add up if obligations are repeatedly overlooked.

Large tax bills can strain cash flow, especially for growing businesses, so PAYG instalments help spread obligations more evenly across the financial year.

A Quarterly financial planning guide

Here's a basic guide to planning your financial reporting obligations throughout the year:

Q1 (July to September): Review your budget and set financial targets. Lodge Q4 BAS (due 28 July) and pay Q4 super. Check any new tax rates or contribution caps that came into effect on 1 July.
Q2 (October to December): Lodge Q1 BAS (28 October) and pay Q1 super. Review profit and loss against targets and assess whether pricing, spending, or staffing need adjustments.
Q3 (January to March): Lodge Q2 BAS (28 February) and pay Q2 super. The FBT year ends 31 March, so begin preparing your FBT return if relevant. Review cash flow forecasts heading into Q4.
Q4 (April to June): This is the most important quarter for tax planning. Review your deductions, assess asset purchases, make additional super contributions before 30 June, and confirm that all payroll and STP records are accurate.

Key financial metrics to track each quarter

Tracking the right numbers throughout the financial year helps you avoid EOFY surprises and ensures smoother compliance within the financial year framework in Australia. Here are key numbers to keep an eye on:

Revenue vs. budget: Knowing early whether you are ahead or behind gives you time to adjust
Gross profit margin: Measures core operational profitability, separate from overhead costs
BAS liability: Compare GST collected against GST paid to avoid cash flow surprises at lodgement
Superannuation obligations: Track what is owed each quarter against what has been paid
PAYG instalments vs. estimated liability: Vary the amount if your actual income differs significantly from the ATO's estimates

FAQs

Here are answers to some of the most common questions about the Australian financial year.

What is the current financial year in Australia?

The current financial year in Australia is FY2025 to 26, running from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026.

When does the financial year end in Australia?

The financial year ends on 30 June each year, which is when businesses finalise their accounts and individuals prepare to lodge their tax returns.

What happens if you miss an EOFY deadline?

Missing EOFY-related deadlines can result in ATO penalties starting at AUD $280 per 28-day period for late BAS lodgement, plus general interest charges on outstanding amounts.