THE average household will be much better off than the Gillard government has calculated after pocketing carbon tax compensation, according to independent modelling.

The National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling has found that tax cuts and higher government pension and family payments will leave households an average of $2.40 a week ahead after the carbon tax, rather than only 20¢ as estimated by Treasury.

The average Australian household will be $2.40 better off, on average, rather than $0.20, as estimated by Treasury. Credit:Ron Chapple

Using more recent household expenditure data, the study found the average household would pay $8.50 a week in higher prices because of the tax (lower than Treasury's estimate) but gain $10.90 in tax cuts and benefits (more than Treasury assumed).

Unlike the Treasury modelling, the study reveals which households are winners and which losers.