Debt levy to hit high income earners

People earning more than $80,000 will be in the firing line if the federal government pushes ahead with a national debt levy.

Workers earning between $80,000 and $180,000 could be slugged an extra one per cent tax on their incomes for four years, News Corp Australia reports.

Those on incomes above $180,000 will pay an extra two per cent.

Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief operating officer John Osborn opposes the idea of a levy to help pay down government debt.

"The government promised no surprises and no new taxes and a debt levy would be an unwelcome surprise," he told ABC Radio.