Health Professionals Award pay rates from 1 October 2026, under the new classification structure: Level 1 rates by qualification (AQF level) and years of experience, senior Levels 2 to 4, the award's list of professions, support services rates, and take-home pay in 2026–27.
A first-year physio, OT or podiatrist (AQF Level 7) gets at least $34.44 an hour ($68,058 a year), rising to $44.46 from year 7. A first-year psychologist (AQF Level 9) gets $38.02. Open in the pay calculator.
Level 1 hourly rates by qualification and experience
| Qualification | 1st year | 2nd-3rd year | 4th-6th year | 7th year+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AQF Level 5 | $32.44 | $34.44 | $37.53 | $40.56 |
| AQF Level 6 | $32.44 | $34.44 | $39.03 | $43.67 |
| AQF Level 7 | $34.44 | $37.08 | $41.19 | $44.46 |
| AQF Level 8 | $35.19 | $38.02 | $41.71 | $45.30 |
| AQF Level 9 | $38.02 | $40.66 | $43.67 | $46.18 |
Level 1 annual pay (full-time)
| Qualification | 1st year | 2nd-3rd year | 4th-6th year | 7th year+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AQF Level 5 | $64,100 | $68,058 | $74,152 | $80,148 |
| AQF Level 6 | $64,100 | $68,058 | $77,132 | $86,284 |
| AQF Level 7 | $68,058 | $73,268 | $81,396 | $87,854 |
| AQF Level 8 | $69,529 | $75,135 | $82,415 | $89,513 |
| AQF Level 9 | $75,135 | $80,350 | $86,284 | $91,260 |
Years are years of experience in the profession at Level 1. Full-time is 38 hours a week; annual pay is the weekly rate × 52. Casuals get 25% more an hour.
Senior levels 2 to 4
| Level | Role | Hourly | Weekly | Year (52 weeks) | Take-home per fortnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 2.1 | Senior clinician, specialist, supervisor or educator with less than 5 years' experience at Level 2 | $51.19 | $1,945.40 | $101,161 | $3,010 |
| Level 2.2 | Senior clinician, specialist, supervisor or educator with 5 years or more at Level 2 | $52.19 | $1,983.20 | $103,126 | $3,062 |
| Level 3 | Advanced clinician, senior specialist or section manager | $52.19 | $1,983.20 | $103,126 | $3,062 |
| Level 4 | Manager | $65.77 | $2,499.10 | $129,953 | $3,763 |
Professions and their AQF level
| Profession | AQF level | 1st year hourly | 7th year+ hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acupuncturist | 7 | $34.44 | $44.46 |
| Aromatherapist | 5 | $32.44 | $40.56 |
| Art Therapist | 9 | $38.02 | $46.18 |
| Audiologist | 9 | $38.02 | $46.18 |
| Biomedical Engineer | 8 | $35.19 | $45.30 |
| Biomedical Technologist | 5 | $32.44 | $40.56 |
| Cardiac Technologist (not echocardiography) | 7 | $34.44 | $44.46 |
| Child Psychotherapist | 9 | $38.02 | $46.18 |
| Chiropractor | 9 | $38.02 | $46.18 |
| Client Advisor/Rehabilitation Consultant | 7 or 8 or 9 | $34.44 | $44.46 |
| Clinical Perfusionist | 9 | $38.02 | $46.18 |
| Community Development Worker | 5 or 7 | $32.44 | $40.56 |
| Counsellor | 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 | $32.44 | $40.56 |
| Dental Hygienist | 7 | $34.44 | $44.46 |
| Dental Prosthetist | 6 or 7 | $32.44 | $43.67 |
| Dental Therapist | 7 | $34.44 | $44.46 |
| Dietitian | 7 or 8 or 9 | $34.44 | $44.46 |
| Diversional Therapist/Recreation Therapist | 7 | $34.44 | $44.46 |
| Exercise Physiologist | 7 | $34.44 | $44.46 |
| Genetic Counsellor | 9 | $38.02 | $46.18 |
| Health Information Manager | 7 or 8 or 9 | $34.44 | $44.46 |
| Masseur, Remedial | 5 | $32.44 | $40.56 |
| Medical Imaging Technologist (radiographer, MRI technologist) | 7 | $34.44 | $44.46 |
| Medical Laboratory Technician | 5 | $32.44 | $40.56 |
| Medical Librarian | 8 | $35.19 | $45.30 |
| Medical Scientist | 7 | $34.44 | $44.46 |
| Music Therapist | 9 | $38.02 | $46.18 |
| Myotherapist | 6 | $32.44 | $43.67 |
| Naturopathist | 7 | $34.44 | $44.46 |
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist | 7 or 8 | $34.44 | $44.46 |
| Occupational Therapist | 7 | $34.44 | $44.46 |
| Oral Health Therapist | 7 | $34.44 | $44.46 |
| Orthoptist | 8 or 9 | $35.19 | $45.30 |
| Osteopath | 9 | $38.02 | $46.18 |
| Pharmacist | 7 | $34.44 | $44.46 |
| Physiotherapist | 7 | $34.44 | $44.46 |
| Podiatrist | 7 | $34.44 | $44.46 |
| Prosthetist/Orthotist | 7 or 8 | $34.44 | $44.46 |
| Psychologist | 9 | $38.02 | $46.18 |
| Radiation Therapist/Radiation Therapy Technologist | 7 or 8 or 9 | $34.44 | $44.46 |
| Reflexologist | 5 | $32.44 | $40.56 |
| Research Technologist | 7 | $34.44 | $44.46 |
| Social Worker | 7 or 8 or 9 | $34.44 | $44.46 |
| Sonographer | 8 | $35.19 | $45.30 |
| Speech Pathologist | 7 or 8 or 9 | $34.44 | $44.46 |
| Welfare Worker | 5 or 6 or 7 | $32.44 | $40.56 |
| Youth Worker | 5 or 6 or 7 | $32.44 | $40.56 |
From Schedule B of the award (standard minimum qualification for entry to the profession). Where a profession lists more than one level, the level of the relevant qualification you hold applies (rates shown for the lowest); if your employer requires a higher qualification, that level applies. Professions not listed use the AQF level of their standard entry qualification.
Weekend and public holiday rates
| Classification | Shiftwork Mon-Fri | Saturday | Sunday | Public holiday | Casual hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AQF Level 5, 1st year | $37.31 | $48.66 | $48.66 | $81.10 | $40.55 |
| AQF Level 6, 1st year | $37.31 | $48.66 | $48.66 | $81.10 | $40.55 |
| AQF Level 7, 1st year | $39.61 | $51.66 | $51.66 | $86.10 | $43.05 |
| AQF Level 8, 1st year | $40.47 | $52.79 | $52.79 | $87.98 | $43.99 |
| AQF Level 9, 1st year | $43.72 | $57.03 | $57.03 | $95.05 | $47.53 |
Support services pay rates
| Level | Hourly | Casual hourly | Weekly | Take-home per fortnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $26.97 | $33.71 | $1,024.70 | $1,766 |
| Level 2 | $28.03 | $35.04 | $1,065.20 | $1,820 |
| Level 3 | $29.11 | $36.39 | $1,106.20 | $1,874 |
| Level 4 | $29.45 | $36.81 | $1,119.10 | $1,891 |
| Level 5 | $30.45 | $38.06 | $1,157.20 | $1,942 |
| Level 6 | $32.09 | $40.11 | $1,219.50 | $2,025 |
| Level 7 | $32.67 | $40.84 | $1,241.40 | $2,054 |
| Level 8 - pay point 1 | $33.78 | $42.23 | $1,283.50 | $2,110 |
| Level 8 - pay point 2 | $34.66 | $43.33 | $1,317.20 | $2,156 |
| Level 8 - pay point 3 | $37.10 | $46.38 | $1,409.70 | $2,282 |
| Level 9 - pay point 1 | $37.76 | $47.20 | $1,435.00 | $2,316 |
| Level 9 - pay point 2 | $39.10 | $48.88 | $1,485.90 | $2,385 |
| Level 9 - pay point 3 | $39.42 | $49.28 | $1,497.80 | $2,402 |
Support services employees other than dental assistants and pathology collectors; see dental assistant pay rates. Support services rates didn't change on 1 October 2026.
How it works
- The new Health Professional structure in the Health Professionals and Support Services Award started from the first full pay period on or after 1 October 2026.
- If you were classified as a health professional under the award on 30 September 2026, Schedule J sets how you moved across; the Fair Work Ombudsman says its tables shouldn't be used for some translated employees, so check the pay guide.
- Take-home pay is after income tax and the Medicare levy for a full year in 2026–27. Super is paid on top.
Common questions
What changed in the Health Professionals Award on 1 October 2026?
Health professionals are now classified at Level 1 by the AQF level of the minimum qualification for their profession (Schedule B of the award) and their years of experience, instead of the old pay points. Levels 2 to 4 cover senior clinicians, advanced clinicians and managers. People already employed on 30 September 2026 were moved across under Schedule J of the award.
How much does a graduate physiotherapist or OT earn under the award?
Physiotherapists and occupational therapists are AQF Level 7. A first-year graduate gets at least $34.44 an hour ($1,308.80 a week), rising to $44.46 from their 7th year.
What is the award rate for a psychologist?
Psychologists are AQF Level 9: at least $38.02 an hour ($75,135 a year) in the first year at Level 1.
What are the weekend and public holiday rates?
Saturday and Sunday are 150% and public holidays 250% for full-time and part-time employees ($51.66 and $86.10 for a first-year AQF Level 7 graduate). Shiftwork Monday to Friday is 115%.
When do the rates go up?
Each year from the first full pay period on or after 1 July. Next: 1 July 2027 (Annual Wage Review).
See also the Nurses Award, pharmacist award rates, social worker salary and the award pay rates hub.
Source: Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide (published 26 August 2026) and award text (clause 17, Schedules A, B and J), Health Professionals and Support Services Award [MA000027], rates from the first full pay period on or after 1 October 2026. Take-home pay: ATO tax rates. Checked 2026-10-22. General information only.