Radiographer salary in Australia: the award minimum by years of experience, public hospital pay scales in NSW Health and Queensland Health, and what radiographers actually earned according to the ATO, with take-home pay in 2026–27.
A first-year radiographer gets at least $68,058 a year under the award. In public hospitals, Queensland Health pays $83,824 to $124,314 at HP3 and NSW Health starts graduates at $79,158. The ATO median for radiographers was $102,607 in 2023-24.
Radiographers (diagnostic radiographers or medical imaging technologists) take X-rays, CT and MRI images. Hospital radiographers work shifts and on-call, which adds penalty rates to the base salaries below.
Award minimum pay
From 1 October 2026, the Health Professionals and Support Services Award pays radiographers at Level 1 by AQF Level 7 and years of experience. Levels 2 to 4 are senior clinicians, advanced clinicians and managers.
Full-time 38 hours; per year is the weekly rate × 52. Casuals get 25% more an hour.
Queensland Health radiographer salary
Queensland Health employs radiographers on the Health Practitioner (HP) scale. New graduates usually start at HP3; HP4 covers senior clinicians and small-team managers, and HP5 to HP8 are advanced, specialist and management roles. Rates from 1 September 2026.
Every pay point is on the Queensland Health pay rates page.
NSW Health radiographer salary
NSW Health pays diagnostic radiographers under the Health Employees' Medical Radiation Scientists (State) Award 2025, from 1 July 2026, for a 35-hour week. New graduates spend a supervised practice year at Level 1 and move to Level 2 automatically when it ends.
| Level | Weekly | Per year | Take-home per fortnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (supervised practice year) | $1,522.26 | $79,158 | $2,435 |
| Level 2, Year 1 | $1,576.33 | $81,969 | $2,508 |
| Level 2, Year 2 | $1,778.06 | $92,459 | $2,783 |
| Level 2, Year 3 | $2,011.57 | $104,602 | $3,100 |
| Level 2, Year 4 | $2,105.94 | $109,509 | $3,229 |
| Level 2, Year 5 | $2,171.43 | $112,914 | $3,318 |
| Level 3, Grade 1, Year 1 | $2,330.16 | $121,168 | $3,534 |
| Level 3, Grade 1, Year 2 | $2,405.51 | $125,087 | $3,636 |
| Level 3, Grade 2, Year 1 | $2,470.21 | $128,451 | $3,724 |
| Level 3, Grade 2, Year 2 | $2,732.72 | $142,101 | $4,062 |
| Level 3, Grade 3, Year 1 | $2,806.61 | $145,944 | $4,152 |
| Level 4, Grade 1, Year 1 | $2,806.61 | $145,944 | $4,152 |
| Level 4, Grade 1, Year 2 | $2,899.30 | $150,764 | $4,265 |
| Level 4, Grade 2, Year 1 | $2,985.05 | $155,223 | $4,370 |
| Level 4, Grade 2, Year 2 | $3,058.38 | $159,036 | $4,459 |
| Level 5, Year 1 | $3,271.40 | $170,113 | $4,719 |
| Level 5, Year 2 | $3,351.11 | $174,258 | $4,816 |
| Level 5, Year 3 | $3,519.36 | $183,007 | $5,022 |
| Level 6, Year 1 | $3,602.87 | $187,349 | $5,124 |
| Level 6, Year 2 | $3,685.38 | $191,640 | $5,219 |
| Level 6, Year 3 | $3,768.55 | $195,965 | $5,307 |
What radiographers actually earn
The ATO's tax statistics for 2023-24 show what people in the occupation were actually paid, including part-timers, so full-time pay is usually higher than the median:
| Occupation (ATO) | People | Median | Average | Median, men | Median, women |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radiographer | 13,566 | $102,607 | $101,067 | $120,610 | $94,413 |
Salary or wage from ATO Taxation Statistics 2023-24, Table 15A. Averages are pulled up by a few high earners, so the median is the better guide.
Radiographer pay compared with other allied health jobs
| Job | ATO median 2023-24 | Award entry level |
|---|---|---|
| Sonographer | $109,756 | AQF 8 |
| Radiographer | $102,607 | AQF 7 |
| Audiologist | $92,925 | AQF 9 |
Qualifications and registration
The award lists radiographers at AQF Level 7, which means a bachelor degree is the usual minimum qualification. Radiographers must be registered with the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia through Ahpra to practise.
NSW Health radiographers are paid under a separate medical radiation award, which isn't shown here.
Take-home pay: after income tax and the Medicare levy for a full year in 2026–27, before super and HELP.
Other allied health jobs: Physiotherapist · Sonographer · Speech pathologist · Occupational therapist · Psychologist · Podiatrist · Audiologist · Dietitian. See also NSW Health pay rates, Queensland Health pay rates and the salary packaging calculator.
Common questions
How much does a radiographer earn in Australia?
Pay depends on the employer. The award minimum for a first-year radiographer is $34.44 an hour, about $68,058 a year. Queensland Health pays $83,824 to $124,314 at HP3, NSW Health starts graduates at $79,158, and the ATO median salary or wage for radiographers was $102,607 in 2023-24.
What is a graduate radiographer's salary?
At least $68,058 a year under the award (AQF Level 7). In Queensland Health most new graduates start at HP3 ($83,824); in NSW Health at Level 1, Year 1 ($79,158).
How much does a senior radiographer earn?
Senior clinicians in Queensland Health (HP4) earn $132,689 to $142,315. Under the award, Level 2 senior clinicians get at least $51.19 an hour.
Which award covers radiographers?
The Health Professionals and Support Services Award, which lists the Medical Imaging Technologist (radiographer, MRI technologist) profession at AQF Level 7. Public hospital staff are paid under state agreements instead, which pay more.
Do radiographers need to be registered?
Yes. Radiographers must be registered with the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia (Ahpra) to practise.
Is super included?
No. All figures are before super, which is paid on top.
Sources: Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide for the Health Professionals and Support Services Award [MA000027] (clause B.3 for the profession's AQF level); Queensland Health health practitioner wage rates; ATO Taxation Statistics 2023-24. Checked 2026-10-23. General information only.