Allocation of GST revenue across Australian states and territories
Consensus Summary
The articles cover the Commonwealth Grants Commission's recommendations for the allocation of GST revenue across Australian states and territories for the 2026-27 financial year. There is consensus on the key facts, including the overall increase in the GST pool, the significant increase in Western Australia's share, and the increases for NSW, Victoria, and Queensland. However, there is a contradiction regarding the impact on NSW's share, with the state government claiming it is the lowest since 2000, while the CGC chair disputes this. The articles also highlight the ongoing debate around the fairness of the GST distribution system, with some states claiming they are being 'short-changed' while others, like Western Australia, benefit from a special deal.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The Commonwealth Grants Commission released its recommendations for the GST share in the 2026-27 financial year
- The total GST pool is estimated to increase from $97bn to $103bn
- As a result of 2018 GST reforms, the federal government will spend an estimated $6.6bn on 'no worse off payments' and GST pool top-up payments
- Western Australia will receive $9.3bn in GST revenue in 2026-27, a significant increase from previous years
- NSW and Victoria are projected to receive $26.1bn and $27.9bn respectively in GST revenue in 2026-27
- Queensland's GST share is expected to increase by $1.68bn to $18.4bn, the biggest increase of any state
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- NSW will be allocated a bit over a quarter of the total GST pie in 2026-27, equivalent to a projected $26.1bn, and up from $25.8bn in this financial year
- Victoria's GST relativity fell slightly from 1.07 to 1.06, but because of a larger projected total pool, the state's revenue from the tax was forecast to increase to $27.9bn in 2026-27, from $26.4bn
- The fact that WA receives more than its 'fair' share under the allocation methodology leaves less of the fixed GST pool for the other states and territories
- The West Australian government will get an extra $6.6 billion from Australian taxpayers in the coming financial year under its special GST deal, despite being the only state with a budget surplus
- The deal is expected to cost taxpayers $60 billion in the next five years
- Apart from Western Australia, which went from 8.3 per cent to 9.1 per cent, the biggest winner was Queensland, which went from 17.4 per cent to 18 per cent
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- The NSW Premier says the state's share of GST revenue is the lowest since the tax was introduced in 2000, while the CGC chair says this is not accurate when the 2018 legislation is excluded
Source Articles
NSW emerges as main loser from GST carve-up as WA gets extra $5.5bn
NSW premier says latest distribution calculation, with a reduction in the state’s share of revenue relative to its population, is unfair and ‘past its use-by date’ Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Australia’s richest state will receive an extra $5.5bn in GST revenue thanks to a sweetheart deal struck with Western Australia in 2018, as the New South Wales premier attacked the latest distribution calculation as unfair and “past its use-by date”. The Commonwealth Grants
Tax deal costing Aussies $6.6bn
Millions of Australians are being “shortchanged” on tax, leaders have warned, while one state booms.
Western Australia the big GST winner again, despite massive budget surpluses
WA will get an extra $6.6 billion from taxpayers in the coming financial year under its special GST deal, despite being the only state with a budget surplus.
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