Clinical Psychology Salary: Award Rates, Tax, and Super in Australia
A clinical psychologist on the Health Professionals and Support Services Award earns a minimum hourly rate of $39.42 (Level 1, AQF Level 9, 7th year+), while the average full-time adult ordinary time earnings suggest around $54.83 per hour.
Understanding the Clinical Psychology Salary in Australia
When researching a clinical psychology salary in Australia, it’s important to distinguish between the minimum rates set by the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 and the actual market rates reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. This article explains how to convert an hourly rate to annual pay, what tax and super you can expect, and how the award classifications apply.
Award Minimums vs Market Rates
Under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award [MA000027], a clinical psychologist is classified as a Health Professional employee at Level 1. The award provides minimum hourly rates based on the employee’s Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level and years of experience. For a clinical psychologist holding a Master’s or Doctorate (AQF Level 9) with 7 or more years of experience, the minimum hourly rate from 1 July 2026 is $39.42 per hour (full-time). This equates to $1,497.80 per week for 38 ordinary hours.
However, many clinical psychologists earn well above the award minimum. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026 shows full-time adult ordinary time earnings of $2,083.70 per week, which translates to approximately $54.83 per hour for a 38-hour week. This figure better reflects the market rate for experienced clinical psychologists in private practice or senior roles.
For casual employees, the award requires a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate. So a casual clinical psychologist at the award minimum would receive $49.28 per hour. The National Minimum Wage (for award/agreement-free employees) is $26.44 per hour, but clinical psychologists are almost always covered by the award or an enterprise agreement.
How to Calculate Annual Pay from an Hourly Rate
The standard formula to estimate annual gross pay is:
Hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks
We assume a 38-hour week for full-time employees, as defined in the award. For example:
- At the award minimum ($39.42): $39.42 × 38 × 52 = $77,898 per year
- At the average market rate ($54.83): $54.83 × 38 × 52 = $108,340 per year
If you are paid fortnightly, multiply your weekly pay by 2. For the market rate example, that’s $2,083.70 per week × 2 = $4,167.40 per fortnight.
Remember that this calculation assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. For a more detailed breakdown, see our hourly conversion guide.
Tax and Super on Your Clinical Psychology Salary
Once you have your annual gross figure, you can estimate tax using the 2026–27 resident tax rates:
- Nil on the first $18,200
- 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
- 30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
- 37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
- 45% on income above $190,000
Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (using the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds as a guide). For a gross salary of $108,340, the tax would be approximately $24,467 and Medicare $2,167, leaving about $81,706 after tax. This does not include HELP repayments or the Medicare levy surcharge.
Superannuation is paid on top of your gross salary at 12% of ordinary earnings (the super guarantee rate from 1 July 2026). For the market rate example, that’s an additional $13,001 per year contributed to your super fund, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. Super is not deducted from your take-home pay; it’s an employer contribution on top.
For more details on award rates and pay guides, visit our pay guides page. You can also use our the timesheet to calculate your own hourly to annual conversion with casual loading and tax estimates.
Important Disclaimer
Annual pay here is hourly rate × hours per week × 52. It assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. Super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings only, paid on top, and stops at the $270,830 maximum contribution base. Tax is the 2026–27 resident scale with the full tax-free threshold. Medicare uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds because the 2026–27 reduction thresholds were not confirmed here. HELP, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted. This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.