Stage 1 of the gender undervaluation increases (determination PR814029); further stages are due from 30 June 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030. If you were on this award on 30 September 2026, clause J.4.3 keeps your old minimum rate if it was higher.
Private medical imaging practices have their own ordinary-hours span (cl 13.2(c)–(d)): 7.00 am to 9.00 pm Monday to Friday and 8.00 am to 1.00 pm Saturday in a 5.5-day practice, or 7.00 am to 9.00 pm every day in a 7-day practice. Work inside that span is ordinary time; weekend penalty rates still apply to Saturday and Sunday hours.
Sonographer award pay rates 2026–27
Health professional level 1 — AQF Level 8, from 1 October 2026
Clause 17.1 as substituted by determination PR814029, AQF Level 8 rows. Casual rates are Schedule C.2.3 exactly.
| Classification | Hourly | Weekly (38 hrs) | Annual (weekly × 52) | Casual hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 — AQF 8 — 1st year | $35.19 | $1,337.10 | $69,529 | $43.99 |
| Level 1 — AQF 8 — 2nd – 3rd year | $38.02 | $1,444.90 | $75,135 | $47.53 |
| Level 1 — AQF 8 — 4th – 6th year | $41.71 | $1,584.90 | $82,415 | $52.14 |
| Level 1 — AQF 8 — 7th year+ | $45.30 | $1,721.40 | $89,513 | $56.63 |
Health professional levels 2 to 4, from 1 October 2026
Clause 17.2 as substituted by PR814029; levels are defined in Schedule A.2. Casual rates are Schedule C.2.3 exactly.
| Classification | Hourly | Weekly (38 hrs) | Annual (weekly × 52) | Casual hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 2.1 — Senior Clinician, Specialist, Supervisor or Educator (under 5 years at Level 2) | $51.19 | $1,945.40 | $101,161 | $63.99 |
| Level 2.2 — Senior Clinician, Specialist, Supervisor or Educator (5 years or more) | $52.19 | $1,983.20 | $103,126 | $65.24 |
| Level 3 — Advanced Clinician, Senior Specialist or Section Manager | $52.19 | $1,983.20 | $103,126 | $65.24 |
| Level 4 — Manager | $65.77 | $2,499.10 | $129,953 | $82.21 |
Casual hourly rates include the 25% casual loading (casual loading calculator).
Which award covers sonographers
Sonographers employed by private ultrasound and medical imaging practices, private hospitals and other national-system health employers are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 [MA000027]. Schedule B lists "Sonographer" at AQF Level 8.
From the first full pay period starting on or after 1 October 2026, Level 1 pay depends on the AQF level of the profession's standard minimum qualification and your years of experience in the profession at Level 1. Schedule B sets sonographers at AQF Level 8, so a new graduate starts on the AQF Level 8 1st-year rate ($35.19 an hour), rising to $38.02 in the 2nd and 3rd years, $41.71 in the 4th to 6th years and $45.30 from the 7th year. An employer that requires a higher qualification must pay at that qualification's AQF level (cl B.2(d)).
Level 2 is for sonographers working as a senior clinician, specialist, supervisor or educator (Level 2.1 with under 5 years in that role, 2.2 with 5 or more); level 3 is an advanced clinician, senior specialist or section manager; level 4 is a manager (Schedule A.2).
Sonographers in state public hospitals are paid under that state's award or enterprise agreement, not this award. A sonographer engaged as a genuine contractor has no award minimum.
Read the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 [MA000027] on the Fair Work Commission’s site (consolidated to 1 October 2026).
Sonographer penalty rates and overtime
| When you work | Full-time / part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday or Sunday (midnight Friday to midnight Sunday) | 150% | 175% |
| Shiftwork (starts 6 pm–6 am or finishes 6 pm–8 am) | 115% | 140% |
| Public holiday | 250% | 275% |
Percentages of the minimum hourly rate (cl 26 and Schedule C.2). A casual's weekend and shiftwork rates replace the 25% loading rather than adding to it (cl 26.1(b), 26.3(b)), and the shift penalty does not apply on weekends or public holidays where those rates are paid instead (cl 26.3(c)).
Overtime
- Full-time and part-time: 150% for the first 2 hours Monday to Saturday, then 200%; Sunday 200%; public holiday 250% (cl 25.2).
- Casual: 187.5% for the first 2 hours Monday to Saturday, then 250%; Sunday 250%; public holiday 312.5% (cl 25.3).
- Overtime is triggered by work beyond ordinary hours or beyond 10 hours in a shift (cl 25.1), and replaces rather than adds to weekend and shift penalties.
Allowances
| Allowance | Amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| On-call allowance (Monday–Saturday) | $26.34 per 24 hours | When you are required to be on call (cl 23.2(d)(i)). |
| On-call allowance (Sunday or public holiday) | $52.56 per 24 hours | Cl 23.2(d)(ii). |
Sonographer pay after tax
| Classification | Gross a year | Tax and Medicare | Take-home a year | A week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 — AQF 8 — 1st year | $69,529 | −$12,770 | $56,759 | $1,092 |
| Level 1 — AQF 8 — 2nd – 3rd year | $75,135 | −$14,564 | $60,571 | $1,165 |
| Level 1 — AQF 8 — 4th – 6th year | $82,415 | −$16,893 | $65,522 | $1,260 |
| Level 1 — AQF 8 — 7th year+ | $89,513 | −$19,164 | $70,349 | $1,353 |
2026–27 resident rates with the Medicare levy and no HECS-HELP; super is paid on top. Full breakdown: take-home pay on $70,000 (the nearest step to $69,529), or put in your own hours with the weekly pay calculator.
What sonographers actually earn
Jobs and Skills Australia puts median full-time earnings for Medical Imaging Professionals (ANZSCO 2512) at $2,360 a week ($60 an hour), against $1,852 a week for all occupations. That is $1,023 a week above the Level 1 — AQF 8 — 1st year minimum of $1,337.10.
Full-time, non-managerial adults before tax (ABS, May 2025): a market figure, not a legal minimum. Average and median pay explained.
What this page does not show
- State public hospital and health service pay scales, which are set by state awards and enterprise agreements, not this award.
- Annualised salary arrangements under clause 22, available by written agreement from level 2 up.
Sonographer pay questions
Pay rates for related jobs
Every health and care job is on the job pay rates hub.
How this page is sourced▼
Minimum rates: the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, consolidated to 1 October 2026, read on 9 October 2026. Median: Jobs and Skills Australia, Medical Imaging Professionals (ANZSCO 2512).
Sources & References
- 1
- 2
- 3Pay guides for modern awards— Fair Work Ombudsman
- 4Annual Wage Review 2025–26 decision [2026] FWCFB 3500— Fair Work Commission
- 5
Last verified: 9 October 2026. Our content is based on the latest information from official Australian government sources.
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