Who is required to pay Zakat?

Zakat is a mandatory act of worship for Muslims who meet specific financial conditions. Unlike voluntary charity (Sadaqa), Zakat is an obligation that applies only when certain criteria are met.

If you’re unsure whether you need to pay Zakat, the conditions below will help you determine your eligibility.

You must be a Muslim

Zakat is an act of worship and is only required of Muslims. It is not a tax and does not apply to non-Muslims.

You must meet the Nisab (minimum threshold)

Zakat only becomes obligatory when your net Zakatable wealth reaches the Nisab, which is based on gold or silver.

• Gold Nisab: value of 85g of gold

• Silver Nisab: value of 595g of silver

Because gold and silver prices fluctuate, the Nisab value in Australian dollars changes. The easiest way to check whether you meet Nisab is to use the Zakat Calculator.

You must have owned the wealth for one lunar year (Hawl)

Zakat is due when your wealth:

• reaches Nisab, and

• remains at or above Nisab for one full lunar year (approximately 354 days)

If your wealth drops below Nisab during the year, the count usually restarts once you reach the threshold again.

If you’re unsure about timing, read When is Zakat due?

You must fully own the wealth

Zakat is only due on wealth you fully own and control.

This generally includes:

• cash and savings

• gold and silver

• shares and investments

• business stock intended for sale

Zakat is not due on personal necessities such as:

• your primary residence

• your car

• household items

• tools used for your trade

If you’re unsure what counts as Zakatable wealth, you can review the calculation rules in How do I calculate Zakat?

Common questions about eligibility

Are children required to pay Zakat?
Children themselves are not morally accountable, but if a child owns wealth that reaches Nisab, Zakat should usually be paid on that wealth by a parent or guardian.

What if I have debts?
Short-term debts that are due can usually be deducted from your assets before calculating Zakat. If what remains is still above Nisab, Zakat is due on that balance.

How to check if you’re required to pay Zakat

If you meet the conditions above, Zakat is due on your qualifying wealth.

To check quickly and accurately, use the Zakat Calculator, then proceed to Donate Zakat through a verified Zakat-eligible program.