Health Professionals Award Pay Rates by Level
Adult minimum rates for full-time and part-time employees under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. Part-time employees are paid the same hourly rate as full-time employees at their classification — the difference is hours, not rate. The casual column adds the 25% loading (cl 11.4).
| Classification level | Weekly (38 hrs) | Hourly | Casual hourly (+25%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Support Services Level 1 | $1,024.70 | $26.97 | $33.71 |
| Support Services Level 2 | $1,065.20 | $28.03 | $35.04 |
| Support Services Level 3 | $1,106.20 | $29.11 | $36.39 |
| Support Services Level 4 | $1,119.10 | $29.45 | $36.81 |
| Support Services Level 5 | $1,157.20 | $30.45 | $38.06 |
| Support Services Level 6 | $1,219.50 | $32.09 | $40.11 |
| Support Services Level 7 | $1,241.40 | $32.67 | $40.84 |
| Support Services Level 8 — pay point 1 | $1,283.50 | $33.78 | $42.23 |
| Support Services Level 8 — pay point 2 | $1,317.20 | $34.66 | $43.33 |
| Support Services Level 8 — pay point 3 | $1,409.70 | $37.10 | $46.38 |
| Support Services Level 9 — pay point 1 | $1,435.00 | $37.76 | $47.20 |
| Support Services Level 9 — pay point 2 | $1,485.90 | $39.10 | $48.88 |
| Support Services Level 9 — pay point 3 | $1,497.80 | $39.42 | $49.28 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 5, 1st year | $1,232.70 | $32.44 | $40.55 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 5, 2nd–3rd year | $1,308.80 | $34.44 | $43.05 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 5, 4th–6th year | $1,426.00 | $37.53 | $46.91 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 5, 7th year+ | $1,541.30 | $40.56 | $50.70 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 6, 1st year | $1,232.70 | $32.44 | $40.55 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 6, 2nd–3rd year | $1,308.80 | $34.44 | $43.05 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 6, 4th–6th year | $1,483.30 | $39.03 | $48.79 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 6, 7th year+ | $1,659.30 | $43.67 | $54.59 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 7, 1st year | $1,308.80 | $34.44 | $43.05 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 7, 2nd–3rd year | $1,409.00 | $37.08 | $46.35 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 7, 4th–6th year | $1,565.30 | $41.19 | $51.49 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 7, 7th year+ | $1,689.50 | $44.46 | $55.58 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 8, 1st year | $1,337.10 | $35.19 | $43.99 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 8, 2nd–3rd year | $1,444.90 | $38.02 | $47.53 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 8, 4th–6th year | $1,584.90 | $41.71 | $52.14 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 8, 7th year+ | $1,721.40 | $45.30 | $56.63 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 9, 1st year | $1,444.90 | $38.02 | $47.53 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 9, 2nd–3rd year | $1,545.20 | $40.66 | $50.83 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 9, 4th–6th year | $1,659.30 | $43.67 | $54.59 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 9, 7th year+ | $1,755.00 | $46.18 | $57.73 |
| Health Professional Level 2.1 | $1,945.40 | $51.19 | $63.99 |
| Health Professional Level 2.2 | $1,983.20 | $52.19 | $65.24 |
| Health Professional Level 3 | $1,983.20 | $52.19 | $65.24 |
| Health Professional Level 4 | $2,499.10 | $65.77 | $82.21 |
Weekly rates are the award’s minimum weekly rate for a full-time employee (cl 16.2(a) (Support Services) and cl 17.1–17.2 (Health Professionals)); hourly is the weekly rate divided by 38.
Which level am I?
- Support Services Levels 1 to 9: Non-clinical and support roles across health: cleaners and orderlies, administration, cooks, pathology and dental support, technicians and managers (Schedule A.1). Levels 8 and 9 have three pay points; progression is by annual movement for full-time staff or 1,824 hours of similar experience for part-time and casual staff (cl 16.1). Dental assistants (Levels 3, 5, 6, 7) and pathology collectors (Levels 5, 6, 7) have their own transitional rates to 31 December 2026 and are not in these rows.
- Health Professional Level 1: Paid by the AQF level of the profession's standard minimum qualification (AQF 5 to 9, Schedule B) and years of experience in the profession: 1st year, 2nd–3rd year, 4th–6th year and 7th year or more (cl 17.1). For example, physiotherapists and occupational therapists sit at AQF 7; psychologists at AQF 9.
- Health Professional Levels 2 to 4: Level 2.1 and 2.2 are senior clinicians, specialists, supervisors or educators (under 5 years and 5 years or more at Level 2); Level 3 is an advanced clinician, senior specialist or section manager; Level 4 is a manager (cl 17.2, Schedule A.2).
The Health Professional table changed on 1 October 2026 — and it is only stage one
Determination PR814029 substituted clause 17 from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 October 2026. Health professionals are now paid by the AQF level of their profession's standard minimum qualification (AQF 5 to 9) and years of experience in the profession, plus Levels 2.1, 2.2, 3 and 4. The increase is phased: further stages take effect on 30 June in each of 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030, so the table below is the first-stage rate, not where it will end up. If you were classified as a Health Professional employee on 30 September 2026, you are translated into the new structure under clause J.4 and cannot be paid less than your old rate. Support Services rates (Levels 1–9) were not changed by this variation and are the 1 July 2026 rates. Dental assistants and pathology collectors at some levels have separate transitional rates to 31 December 2026 and are not in the Support Services rows.
Worked example: a casual AQF 7 physio on a Saturday and in overtime
Priya is a casual health professional at Level 1, AQF 7, first year: $34.44 an hour minimum ($43.05 as a casual).
- Saturday ordinary hours: a casual is paid 175% of the minimum rate for all time worked and does NOT also get the 25% loading (cl 26.1(b)). $34.44 × 1.75 = $60.27 an hour. A permanent employee is paid 150%: $51.66.
- Weekday overtime, first 2 hours: for a casual, the 25% loading is added first and then 150% is applied to that, so $43.05 × 1.5 = $64.58 an hour (cl 25.3).
- So 4 hours on a Saturday is $241.08 before tax, a higher hourly rate than 2 hours of weekday overtime.
The weekend rate is flat 150% for all ordinary hours between midnight Friday and midnight Sunday (casuals 175%), and overtime rates are paid in place of the weekend penalty, not on top of it.
Try your own hours in the overtime pay calculator or the casual loading calculator, add up a full week in the weekly pay calculator, or check the public holiday pay guide.
Health Professionals Award Pay Guide 2026-27: Every Level, Every Day
The hourly rate for each classification at each penalty band, in the layout of the Fair Work pay guide. Find your level, then the day you worked.
Full-time and part-time
| Classification | Mon–Fri ordinary hours100% | Saturday and Sunday150% | Public holiday250% | Shiftwork115% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Support Services Level 1 | $26.97 | $40.46 | $67.43 | $31.02 |
| Support Services Level 2 | $28.03 | $42.05 | $70.08 | $32.23 |
| Support Services Level 3 | $29.11 | $43.67 | $72.78 | $33.48 |
| Support Services Level 4 | $29.45 | $44.18 | $73.63 | $33.87 |
| Support Services Level 5 | $30.45 | $45.68 | $76.13 | $35.02 |
| Support Services Level 6 | $32.09 | $48.14 | $80.23 | $36.90 |
| Support Services Level 7 | $32.67 | $49.01 | $81.68 | $37.57 |
| Support Services Level 8 — pay point 1 | $33.78 | $50.67 | $84.45 | $38.85 |
| Support Services Level 8 — pay point 2 | $34.66 | $51.99 | $86.65 | $39.86 |
| Support Services Level 8 — pay point 3 | $37.10 | $55.65 | $92.75 | $42.67 |
| Support Services Level 9 — pay point 1 | $37.76 | $56.64 | $94.40 | $43.42 |
| Support Services Level 9 — pay point 2 | $39.10 | $58.65 | $97.75 | $44.97 |
| Support Services Level 9 — pay point 3 | $39.42 | $59.13 | $98.55 | $45.33 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 5, 1st year | $32.44 | $48.66 | $81.10 | $37.31 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 5, 2nd–3rd year | $34.44 | $51.66 | $86.10 | $39.61 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 5, 4th–6th year | $37.53 | $56.30 | $93.83 | $43.16 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 5, 7th year+ | $40.56 | $60.84 | $101.40 | $46.64 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 6, 1st year | $32.44 | $48.66 | $81.10 | $37.31 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 6, 2nd–3rd year | $34.44 | $51.66 | $86.10 | $39.61 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 6, 4th–6th year | $39.03 | $58.55 | $97.58 | $44.88 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 6, 7th year+ | $43.67 | $65.51 | $109.18 | $50.22 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 7, 1st year | $34.44 | $51.66 | $86.10 | $39.61 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 7, 2nd–3rd year | $37.08 | $55.62 | $92.70 | $42.64 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 7, 4th–6th year | $41.19 | $61.79 | $102.98 | $47.37 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 7, 7th year+ | $44.46 | $66.69 | $111.15 | $51.13 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 8, 1st year | $35.19 | $52.79 | $87.98 | $40.47 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 8, 2nd–3rd year | $38.02 | $57.03 | $95.05 | $43.72 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 8, 4th–6th year | $41.71 | $62.57 | $104.28 | $47.97 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 8, 7th year+ | $45.30 | $67.95 | $113.25 | $52.10 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 9, 1st year | $38.02 | $57.03 | $95.05 | $43.72 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 9, 2nd–3rd year | $40.66 | $60.99 | $101.65 | $46.76 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 9, 4th–6th year | $43.67 | $65.51 | $109.18 | $50.22 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 9, 7th year+ | $46.18 | $69.27 | $115.45 | $53.11 |
| Health Professional Level 2.1 | $51.19 | $76.79 | $127.98 | $58.87 |
| Health Professional Level 2.2 | $52.19 | $78.29 | $130.48 | $60.02 |
| Health Professional Level 3 | $52.19 | $78.29 | $130.48 | $60.02 |
| Health Professional Level 4 | $65.77 | $98.66 | $164.43 | $75.64 |
Casual
| Classification | Mon–Fri ordinary hours125% | Saturday and Sunday175% | Public holiday275% | Shiftwork140% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Support Services Level 1 | $33.71 | $47.20 | $74.17 | $37.76 |
| Support Services Level 2 | $35.04 | $49.05 | $77.08 | $39.24 |
| Support Services Level 3 | $36.39 | $50.94 | $80.05 | $40.75 |
| Support Services Level 4 | $36.81 | $51.54 | $80.99 | $41.23 |
| Support Services Level 5 | $38.06 | $53.29 | $83.74 | $42.63 |
| Support Services Level 6 | $40.11 | $56.16 | $88.25 | $44.93 |
| Support Services Level 7 | $40.84 | $57.17 | $89.84 | $45.74 |
| Support Services Level 8 — pay point 1 | $42.23 | $59.12 | $92.90 | $47.29 |
| Support Services Level 8 — pay point 2 | $43.33 | $60.66 | $95.32 | $48.52 |
| Support Services Level 8 — pay point 3 | $46.38 | $64.93 | $102.03 | $51.94 |
| Support Services Level 9 — pay point 1 | $47.20 | $66.08 | $103.84 | $52.86 |
| Support Services Level 9 — pay point 2 | $48.88 | $68.43 | $107.53 | $54.74 |
| Support Services Level 9 — pay point 3 | $49.28 | $68.99 | $108.41 | $55.19 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 5, 1st year | $40.55 | $56.77 | $89.21 | $45.42 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 5, 2nd–3rd year | $43.05 | $60.27 | $94.71 | $48.22 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 5, 4th–6th year | $46.91 | $65.68 | $103.21 | $52.54 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 5, 7th year+ | $50.70 | $70.98 | $111.54 | $56.78 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 6, 1st year | $40.55 | $56.77 | $89.21 | $45.42 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 6, 2nd–3rd year | $43.05 | $60.27 | $94.71 | $48.22 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 6, 4th–6th year | $48.79 | $68.30 | $107.33 | $54.64 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 6, 7th year+ | $54.59 | $76.42 | $120.09 | $61.14 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 7, 1st year | $43.05 | $60.27 | $94.71 | $48.22 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 7, 2nd–3rd year | $46.35 | $64.89 | $101.97 | $51.91 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 7, 4th–6th year | $51.49 | $72.08 | $113.27 | $57.67 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 7, 7th year+ | $55.58 | $77.81 | $122.27 | $62.24 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 8, 1st year | $43.99 | $61.58 | $96.77 | $49.27 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 8, 2nd–3rd year | $47.53 | $66.54 | $104.56 | $53.23 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 8, 4th–6th year | $52.14 | $72.99 | $114.70 | $58.39 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 8, 7th year+ | $56.63 | $79.28 | $124.58 | $63.42 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 9, 1st year | $47.53 | $66.54 | $104.56 | $53.23 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 9, 2nd–3rd year | $50.83 | $71.16 | $111.82 | $56.92 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 9, 4th–6th year | $54.59 | $76.42 | $120.09 | $61.14 |
| Health Professional Level 1 — AQF 9, 7th year+ | $57.73 | $80.82 | $127.00 | $64.65 |
| Health Professional Level 2.1 | $63.99 | $89.58 | $140.77 | $71.67 |
| Health Professional Level 2.2 | $65.24 | $91.33 | $143.52 | $73.07 |
| Health Professional Level 3 | $65.24 | $91.33 | $143.52 | $73.07 |
| Health Professional Level 4 | $82.21 | $115.10 | $180.87 | $92.08 |
Casual columns marked “of casual rate” apply the percentage to the casual hourly rate; the others are a percentage of the minimum rate that already includes the loading. Figures are rounded to the cent. A dash means the column does not apply to that classification.
Health Professionals Award Penalty Rates
| When worked | Full-time / part-time | $ on Support Services Level 1 | Casual | $ casual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday or Sunday ordinary hoursCasuals get 175% for all time worked on a Saturday or Sunday and are NOT also paid the 25% loading (cl 26.1(b)). | 150% | $40.46 | 175% | $47.20 |
| Public holiday (all time worked)Casuals are paid 275% (Schedule C.2.3, C.1.7).Public holiday pay calculator & dates by state → | 250% | $67.43 | 275% | $74.17 |
| Shiftwork — afternoon or night (finishing 6 pm to 8 am or starting 6 pm to 6 am)Casuals get 140% and not the 25% loading (cl 26.3(b)). The shift loading does not apply on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday (cl 26.3(c)). | 115% | $31.02 | 140% | $37.76 |
Source: cl 26, cl 33.2 and Schedule C.
Ordinary hours for a day worker are 6.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday, but 7.30 am to 9.00 pm Monday to Friday and 8.00 am to 4.30 pm on Saturday in private medical, dental, pathology, physiotherapy, chiropractic and osteopathic practices, and longer spans in private medical imaging practices (cl 13.2). Hours outside the spread are overtime.
The weekend rate is a flat 150% of the minimum rate for all ordinary hours between midnight Friday and midnight Sunday (cl 26.1(a)). It is not split into Saturday and Sunday and has no first-two-hours step.
Overtime rates are paid in substitution for, not on top of, the penalty rates in cl 26 (cl 25.2(b), 25.3(b)).
Health Professionals Award Overtime Rates
| Overtime worked | Full-time / part-time | $ on Support Services Level 1 | Casual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Saturday — first 2 hours | 150% | $40.46 | 150% of casual rate · $50.57 |
| Monday to Saturday — after 2 hours | 200% | $53.94 | 200% of casual rate · $67.42 |
| Sunday — all overtime | 200% | $53.94 | 200% of casual rate · $67.42 |
| Public holiday — all overtime | 250% | $67.43 | 250% of casual rate · $84.28 |
Source: cl 25.2–25.3 and Schedule C.1.4, C.2.2.
Overtime is time over ordinary hours or 10 hours in a shift (cl 25.1). For casuals it is also time over 38 hours a week or 76 hours a fortnight (cl 25.1(c)).
The casual column is a percentage of the casual hourly rate, which already includes the 25% loading: that is 187.5% of the minimum rate for the first 2 hours, 250% after that and on a Sunday, and 312.5% on a public holiday (cl 25.3(a)).
An employee is entitled to 10 consecutive hours off between the end of work on one day and the start on the next (cl 25.4(a)).
Health Professionals Award Junior Rates
Health Professional employees have no junior rates. Support Services juniors are paid a percentage of the adult rate by age (cl 16.3: under 17, 50%; 17, 60%; 18, 70%; 19, 80%; 20, 90%), which this page does not tabulate. Any age-percentage table attributed to the Health Professionals Award is not from the award.
Health Professionals Award Allowances
Fixed-dollar allowances in cl 23, operative from 1 July 2026 (Support Services) and 1 October 2026 (Health Professionals). Each is paid only where the clause’s conditions are met.
| Allowance | Amount | Clause |
|---|---|---|
| On-call — Monday to Saturday | $26.34 per 24 hours | cl 23.2(d)(i) |
| On-call — Sunday or public holiday | $52.56 per 24 hours | cl 23.2(d)(ii) |
| Heat allowance — over 40°C up to 46°COver 46°C it is $0.73 an hour. | $0.61 per hour | cl 23.2(a) |
| Nauseous or offensive workAt least $3.29 a week for any week in which such work is done. | $0.61 per hour | cl 23.2(b) |
| Occasional interpretingCapped at $15.49 a week. | $1.34 per occasion | cl 23.2(c) |
| Meal allowance (overtime of more than 1 hour after the usual finishing time)A further $15.60 where the overtime exceeds 4 hours. | $17.30 per occasion | cl 23.3(e)(i) |
| Tool allowance — chefs and cooks not supplied with tools | $13.41 per week | cl 23.3(g) |
| Own motor vehicle (at least) | $1.01 per km | cl 23.3(h)(i) |
Minimum Shifts and Hours
- A casual's minimum engagement is 3 hours, or 2 hours for cleaners in private medical practices (cl 11.2–11.3). A casual can work up to and including 38 ordinary hours a week (cl 11.1).
- A full-time employee's ordinary hours are an average of 38 a week over a fortnight or 4 weeks, with no more than 10 ordinary hours in a day (cl 13.1).
- Progression to the next Support Services pay point is by annual movement for full-time employees, or after 1,824 hours of similar experience for part-time and casual employees (cl 16.1).
What does a health professionals award rate take home?
- Take-home on $29.45/hr (Support Services Level 4)
- Take-home on $32.67/hr (Support Services Level 7)
- Take-home on $65.77/hr (Health Professional Level 4)
Working a mix of shifts? Enter your hours in the weekly pay calculator, or turn a salary into net pay with the take-home pay calculator.
What This Page Does Not Cover
These parts of the award carry rules or rates we have not verified line by line, so we publish no figures for them:
- Dental assistant (Levels 3, 5, 6, 7) and pathology collector (Levels 5, 6, 7) transitional rates to 31 December 2026 (cl 16.2(b)–(c))
- The classification translation rules for staff who were already employed on 30 September 2026 (Schedule J.4), which can leave an individual on a higher rate than the new table
- Later phase-in stages of the Health Professional rates (30 June 2027 to 2030). Do not assume this table is the rate you will be paid next year
- Support Services juniors, cooking, dental technician and gardening apprentices (cl 16.3–16.7) and other special rates
An enterprise agreement, if one covers your workplace, replaces these award rates — though it must leave you better off overall.
When These Rates Took Effect
Support Services rates apply from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026. Health Professional rates apply from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 October 2026. Support Services rates (cl 16.2) are the 1 July 2026 rates under determination PR799308, following the Annual Wage Review 2026. Health Professional rates (cl 17) were substituted by determination PR814029 (decision [2026] FWCFB 231) from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 October 2026; if your pay period began before 1 October, your old rate lawfully applies for the whole of that period. These are the first stage of a phased increase, with further stages on 30 June in each of 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030. If you have been paid below these rates, our backpay calculator works out what is owed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Health Professionals Award questions and answers
What are the health professionals award pay rates for 2026-27?
Under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027), adult minimum rates run from $26.97 an hour ($1,024.70 a week) for Support Services Level 1 to $65.77 an hour ($2,499.10 a week) for Health Professional Level 4. They apply from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026 (Support Services) and 1 October 2026 (Health Professionals).
What is the casual rate under the Health Professionals Award?
Support Services Level 1 is $33.71 an hour as a casual. Casual weekend work is 175% of the minimum rate with no 25% loading on top (cl 26.1(b)); casual shiftwork is 140% (cl 26.3(b)); and a casual public holiday is 275%, the 250% plus the 25% loading (Schedule C.2.3). Casual overtime is different: the loading is added to the minimum rate first and the overtime percentage is then applied to that, so 150% becomes 187.5% and 200% becomes 250% of the minimum rate (cl 25.3).
What allowances are paid under the Health Professionals Award?
The award's allowances clause (cl 23) includes: on-call — Monday to Saturday $26.34 per 24 hours; on-call — Sunday or public holiday $52.56 per 24 hours; heat allowance — over 40°C up to 46°C $0.61 per hour; nauseous or offensive work $0.61 per hour; occasional interpreting $1.34 per occasion. Allowances are paid on top of the classification rate when the employee meets the clause's conditions.
Does the Health Professionals Award have junior rates?
Health Professional employees have no junior rates. Support Services juniors are paid a percentage of the adult rate by age (cl 16.3: under 17, 50%; 17, 60%; 18, 70%; 19, 80%; 20, 90%), which this page does not tabulate.
What changed in the Health Professionals Award on 1 October 2026?
Clause 17 was replaced (determination PR814029, decision [2026] FWCFB 231). Health Professional Level 1 is now paid by the AQF level of the profession's standard minimum qualification (5 to 9) and by year of experience (1st, 2nd–3rd, 4th–6th, 7th year or more); Level 2 splits into 2.1 and 2.2, and Levels 3 and 4 have new rates. Employees classified under the old levels on 30 September 2026 are translated under clause J.4 and never receive less than their old rate. Further increases follow on 30 June 2027 to 2030.
What does a physiotherapist or occupational therapist earn under the award?
Physiotherapists and occupational therapists sit at AQF 7 (a 3-year degree entry translates under J.4.1(e)). From 1 October 2026 the minimum rate is $34.44 an hour ($1,308.80 a week) in the first year, $37.08 in years 2–3, $41.19 in years 4–6 and $44.46 from year 7. See the physiotherapist and occupational therapist pay pages for annual figures.
What does a psychologist earn under the award?
Psychologists are classified at AQF 9. From 1 October 2026 the minimum is $38.02 an hour ($1,444.90 a week) in the first year, up to $46.18 an hour from the 7th year. Most psychologists in private practice or under an enterprise agreement or State public sector agreement are paid more than the award minimum.
What is the Support Services Level 1 rate?
Support Services Level 1 is $26.97 an hour ($1,024.70 a week), $33.71 as a casual, from 1 July 2026. Level 4 is $29.45. Level 8 and Level 9 each have three pay points; progression is by annual movement for full-time staff or after 1,824 hours of similar experience for part-time and casual staff (cl 16.1).
Do casuals get penalty rates under the Health Professionals Award?
Yes, but they are calculated differently. A casual who works a Saturday or Sunday is paid 175% of the minimum rate for all time worked, with no extra 25% loading. A casual public holiday is 275%. Casual overtime applies the percentage to the casual rate, so 150% becomes 187.5% and 200% becomes 250% of the minimum rate. For an AQF 7 first-year casual that is $60.27 on a weekend and $64.58 for the first 2 hours of overtime.
Are these rates what I will be paid?
Not necessarily. Many health professionals are covered by an enterprise agreement or a State public sector award or agreement that pays more. The award is the minimum safety net. The first-stage 1 October 2026 rates are also lower than the later phase-in stages, and a higher existing rate is protected by clause J.4.
When did the new rates start?
Support Services rates apply from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026 (determination PR799308, following the Annual Wage Review 2026). Health Professional rates apply from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 October 2026 (PR814029). If your pay period began before the relevant date, the old rate applies for that whole pay period.
How these rates were verified▼
Every figure comes from one constants file transcribed on 5 October 2026 from the Fair Work Commission’s consolidated MA000027 award text, which incorporates all amendments up to and including 1 October 2026 (PR814029). Clause numbers are cited against each table. Hourly is the published weekly rate divided by 38; derived dollar figures are rounded half up to the cent.
Automated tests pin the published rates, check every hourly rate against its weekly rate, and assert the rules this award is most often modelled wrongly on — including which casual penalties add the loading and which compound on the casual rate. Parts of the award we have not verified are listed as gaps rather than estimated.
Sources & References
- 1
- 2Award summary and pay guide — MA000027— Fair Work Ombudsman
- 3Annual Wage Review 2026— Fair Work Commission
Last verified: 5 October 2026. Our content is based on the latest information from official Australian government sources.
Anita Bell
AuthorFounder & Senior Bookkeeper
Accountancy degree (2015); certified in Xero, QuickBooks Online, MYOB, Saasu, Zoho and Reckon One
Anita Bell earned her accountancy degree in 2015 and has worked as a senior bookkeeper with Prime Bookkeeping for over 5 years. This built her skills in Australian and New Zealand tax legislation and industry regulations. She is certified in Xero, QuickBooks Online, MYOB, Saasu, Zoho and Reckon One, and works with payroll and rostering software including Gusto, Deputy, Tsheets and KeyPay. She has strong experience in hospitality, building and construction, financial services, real estate, ecommerce, and medical and health services.
Areas of Expertise