Professional Employees Award pay rates from 1 July 2026: minimum annual wages and hourly rates for graduate to Level 4 professionals in IT, engineering, science, telecommunications, quality auditing and medical research, with take-home pay in 2026–27.
A graduate professional earns at least $66,825 a year with a 3-year degree, or $68,538 with a 4 or 5-year degree. Level 4 is $97,173. Open in the pay calculator.
Minimum annual wages
| Level | Annual wage | Hourly | Casual hourly | Take-home per fortnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1, pay point 1.1 (3-year degree): Graduate professional | $66,825 | $33.71 | $42.14 | $2,112 |
| Level 1, pay point 1.1 (4 or 5-year degree): Graduate professional | $68,538 | $34.57 | $43.21 | $2,157 |
| Level 1, pay point 1.2: Graduate professional | $69,688 | $35.15 | $43.94 | $2,187 |
| Level 1, pay point 1.3: Graduate professional | $72,590 | $36.62 | $45.78 | $2,263 |
| Level 1, pay point 1.4: Graduate professional | $76,267 | $38.47 | $48.09 | $2,359 |
| Level 2: Experienced professional / quality auditor | $78,836 | $39.77 | $49.71 | $2,426 |
| Level 3: Professional / senior (lead) quality auditor | $86,157 | $43.46 | $54.33 | $2,618 |
| Level 4: Professional | $97,173 | $49.02 | $61.28 | $2,906 |
Full-time annual wages from clause 14.1 of the award. Take-home pay is after income tax and the Medicare levy for a full year in 2026–27, without a study loan; with a HECS-HELP debt it's lower (see the HECS repayment calculator). Level 5 ($117,064) applies to experienced medical research employees.
Early, late, Sunday and public holiday rates
| Level | Mon-Sat before 6am or after 10pm | Sunday | Public holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1, pay point 1.1 (3-year degree) | $42.14 | $50.57 | $50.57 |
| Level 1, pay point 1.1 (4 or 5-year degree) | $43.21 | $51.86 | $51.86 |
| Level 1, pay point 1.2 | $43.94 | $52.73 | $52.73 |
| Level 1, pay point 1.3 | $45.78 | $54.93 | $54.93 |
| Level 1, pay point 1.4 | $48.09 | $57.71 | $57.71 |
| Level 2 | $49.71 | $59.66 | $59.66 |
| Level 3 | $54.33 | $65.19 | $65.19 |
| Level 4 | $61.28 | $73.53 | $73.53 |
How it works
- The Professional Employees Award 2020 covers professionals such as engineers, scientists, IT professionals and quality auditors.
- Graduates start at Level 1 and move through pay points 1.1 to 1.4; Levels 2 to 4 are for experienced and senior professionals.
- Casuals get a 25% loading. Super is paid on top.
Common questions
What is the Professional Employees Award graduate salary?
From 1 July 2026, a graduate professional starts on at least $66,825 a year ($33.71 an hour) with a 3-year degree, or $68,538 with a 4 or 5-year degree. That's about $2,112 to $2,157 a fortnight after tax.
What does an experienced professional earn under the award?
Level 2 is $78,836 a year, Level 3 $86,157 and Level 4 $97,173.
Who does the Professional Employees Award cover?
Employers mainly in information technology, medical research, quality auditing or telecommunications services, and employees doing professional engineering or scientific work unless another award with a more appropriate classification covers their employer.
What is the Sunday rate?
150% of the hourly rate ($50.57 for a graduate with a 3-year degree), and the same on public holidays. Work before 6am or after 10pm Monday to Saturday is 125%.
Do IT and engineering graduates get paid more than this?
Often. These are legal minimums; many employers pay above the award or under enterprise agreements.
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 salary after tax tables, salary to hourly calculator and Clerks Award pay.
Sources: Professional Employees Award 2020 clause 14.1 and the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide [MA000065], rates from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. Take-home pay: ATO tax rates. Checked 2026-10-22. General information only.