Allied Health Assistant Salary: Hourly to Annual Pay Under the 38-Hour Week
For a full-time allied health assistant at Health Professional Level 1 (1st year), the minimum hourly rate is $32.44, giving an annual salary of about $64,117 based on a 38-hour week and 52 weeks.
Understanding the Allied Health Assistant Salary
If you’re working as an allied health assistant or considering the role, knowing how your hourly rate translates into an annual salary is essential for budgeting and comparing job offers. The allied health assistant salary is typically set under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, which covers roles like physiotherapy assistants, occupational therapy assistants, and other support workers in health settings. This article explains how to convert your hourly pay to annual, fortnightly, and weekly figures using the standard 38-hour week, and covers the key differences between award rates, casual loading, and superannuation.
Hourly to Annual: The 38-Hour Formula
The standard full-time working week under the award is 38 ordinary hours. To estimate your annual gross pay, use this simple formula:
Annual gross ≈ hourly rate × 38 hours × 52 weeks
For example, a Level 1 allied health assistant in their first year earns $32.44 per hour. Multiply by 38 gives $1,232.72 per week, and by 52 gives $64,101.44 per year. This assumes you work every week of the year with no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, and no allowances. The same calculation works for any hourly rate – just plug in your figure.
If you’re paid fortnightly, simply double the weekly amount. A fortnightly pay of $2,465.44 is common under the award, which requires wages to be paid weekly or fortnightly (or monthly by agreement).
Allied Health Assistant Award Rates
The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes minimum rates for health professional employees. For an allied health assistant at Level 1, the rates depend on your qualification and years of experience:
- AQF Level 5 – 1st year: $32.44 per hour
- AQF Level 5 – 2nd to 3rd year: $34.44 per hour
- AQF Level 5 – 4th to 6th year: $37.53 per hour
- AQF Level 5 – 7th year+: $40.56 per hour
These rates are higher than the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026). Always check your classification in the award – you may be entitled to more than the minimum if you have a Certificate III or IV, which can move you to Level 6 or 7 with rates up to $31.67 per hour for dental assistants, or higher for other health professionals.
For a full list of classifications, see our pay guides page.
Casual Loading and Super
If you work as a casual allied health assistant, you receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate. This compensates for not receiving paid leave, public holidays, or other entitlements. For a Level 1 first-year casual, the rate becomes $40.55 per hour. The loading applies to all ordinary hours, and overtime is paid at higher rates (e.g., 187.5% for the first two hours Monday to Saturday).
Superannuation is paid on top of your gross earnings. The super guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings, and it does not reduce your take-home pay – it’s an employer contribution to your super fund. For a full-time employee earning $32.44 per hour, the employer adds $3.89 per hour (up to the $270,830 maximum contribution base). This is separate from your salary and is not included in the hourly-to-annual conversion.
Learn more about how casual loading works on our casual loading page.
Fortnightly and Annual Comparisons
To help you compare different offers, here’s a quick reference for a full-time allied health assistant (38 hours/week, 52 weeks):
| Hourly Rate | Weekly (38 hrs) | Fortnightly | Annual Gross |
|---|---|---|---|
| $32.44 | $1,232.72 | $2,465.44 | $64,101.44 |
| $34.44 | $1,308.72 | $2,617.44 | $68,053.44 |
| $37.53 | $1,426.14 | $2,852.28 | $74,159.28 |
| $40.56 | $1,541.28 | $3,082.56 | $80,146.56 |
Remember, these are gross figures before tax and Medicare levy. For a single resident in 2026–27, tax is nil on the first $18,200, then 15% up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, and so on. The Medicare levy is generally 2% of taxable income. Use our take-home pay tool for a more detailed estimate.
Tax Considerations
When converting your allied health assistant salary to annual, keep in mind that tax is deducted from your gross pay. The Australian Taxation Office’s 2026–27 resident tax rates apply, and the Medicare levy (usually 2%) is added unless you have a reduction. For example, a full-time first-year allied health assistant earning $64,101 would pay approximately:
- Tax on $45,900 ($64,101 – $18,200) at 15% = $6,885
- Tax on remaining $19,101 at 30% = $5,730.30
- Total tax = $12,615.30
- Medicare levy (2% of $64,101) = $1,282.02
- Net annual income ≈ $50,203.68
This is an estimate only – it does not include HELP repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, or salary packaging. The on-site reference uses the 2025–26 Medicare reduction thresholds because the 2026–27 figures were not confirmed.
Summary
Your allied health assistant salary depends on your award classification, experience, and employment type. The standard 38-hour week and 52-week year give a reliable annual figure, but always check your actual hours and any penalty rates or allowances that may apply. For casual roles, the 25% loading significantly boosts your hourly rate, but remember you lose paid leave entitlements. Super is an extra 12% on top, building your retirement savings.
For more detailed rates and conditions, refer to the Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guides or use our reference tables to compare classifications. Understanding these numbers helps you negotiate confidently and plan your finances.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.