What is the minimum hourly rate for a dental hygienist in Australia?

Under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, a dental hygienist classified as a Health Professional employee at AQF Level 5 (first year) has a minimum hourly rate of $32.44 as of July 2026. Rates increase with experience and qualification level. For example, a Level 5 employee in their 7th year or more earns $40.56 per hour. These are minimums; actual salaries may be higher depending on the employer and location.

How is casual loading applied to a dental hygienist salary?

If a dental hygienist is employed as a casual, they receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate. For a first-year AQF Level 5 hygienist, the casual rate would be $32.44 × 1.25 = $40.55 per hour. This loading compensates for entitlements casuals do not receive, such as paid leave. The loading is applied before any overtime penalty rates.

How much tax and super will I pay on a dental hygienist salary?

For a full-time dental hygienist earning $64,101 annually (based on $32.44/hr, 38 hours/week), the 2026–27 tax estimate is about $9,027 (including 2% Medicare levy), leaving a take-home pay of roughly $55,074. Superannuation is paid on top at 12% of ordinary earnings, adding about $7,692 to your retirement savings, up to the $270,830 contribution base. Use our timesheet for a personalised calculation.

Dental Hygienist Salary: Award Rates, Tax, and Super in Australia

A dental hygienist under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 earns at least $32.44 per hour (AQF Level 5, first year) for a 38-hour week, equating to about $64,101 annually before tax.

Understanding the Dental Hygienist Salary Under the Health Professionals Award

If you are researching a dental hygienist salary in Australia, the most reliable starting point is the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, which covers most dental hygienists. This award sets minimum pay rates, allowances, and conditions. The rates below come from the Fair Work Ombudsman’s official award documentation and are effective from July 2026.

Award Coverage and Minimum Hourly Rates

Dental hygienists are classified as Health Professional employees under the award. The minimum hourly rate depends on your qualification level and years of experience. For an employee with a diploma (AQF Level 5), the rates are:

1st year: $32.44 per hour
2nd–3rd year: $34.44 per hour
4th–6th year: $37.53 per hour
7th year and beyond: $40.56 per hour

These are the minimums. Many employers pay above the award, especially in private practices. For comparison, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour (or $33.05 with casual loading), so a dental hygienist’s award rate is significantly higher.

Converting Hourly Rate to Annual, Fortnightly, and Weekly Pay

To estimate your annual dental hygienist salary, use the standard formula:

Hourly rate × hours per week × 52

We assume a full-time week of 38 ordinary hours, as defined in the award. For a first-year hygienist:

Annual: $32.44 × 38 × 52 = $64,101.44
Fortnightly: $32.44 × 38 × 2 = $2,465.44
Weekly: $32.44 × 38 = $1,232.72

Our the timesheet lets you enter any hourly rate and instantly see these figures. If you work part-time, adjust the hours per week accordingly.

Casual Loading and Superannuation

If you work as a casual dental hygienist, you receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate. For a first-year Level 5 hygienist, the casual rate is $40.55 per hour. This loading is paid instead of entitlements like annual leave and sick leave. The award also requires overtime penalty rates for casuals, calculated by adding the loading to the base rate first.

Superannuation is paid on top of your ordinary earnings. The super guarantee rate is 12% for 2026–27, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a full-time hygienist earning $64,101, the employer contributes about $7,692 per year to your super fund. This is not deducted from your salary; it is an additional benefit.

Tax on Your Dental Hygienist Salary

Your annual gross pay is taxed 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% (based on 2025–26 single reduction thresholds as 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed).

For a $64,101 annual salary:

Tax on first $18,200: $0
Tax on $18,201–$45,000 (26,800): $4,020
Tax on $45,001–$64,101 (19,100): $5,730
Total tax: $9,750
Medicare levy (2% of $64,101): $1,282
Total tax and Medicare: $11,032
Take-home pay: $53,069

This is an estimate. Your actual tax may differ if you have deductions, HELP debt, or the Medicare levy surcharge. Use our take-home pay page for a more detailed calculation.

Comparing with National Minimum Wage and Average Earnings

The national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour for award-free employees. The ABS reports average weekly ordinary time earnings for full-time adults at $2,083.70 (May 2026), which equates to about $108,352 annually. A dental hygienist’s salary is below that average but well above the minimum. The award ensures fair pay for the skilled work hygienists perform.

Using the Timesheet to Calculate Your Own Pay

Our the timesheet is designed for Australian workers. Enter your base hourly rate (do not include casual loading – check the box to add it automatically). The calculator shows your annual, fortnightly, and weekly pay, plus estimated tax and super. It respects the 38-hour week assumption and the latest tax and super rules. For more information on award rates, visit our pay guides or reference tables.

Understanding your dental hygienist salary is the first step to managing your finances. Whether you are negotiating a new role or checking your current pay, the award rates and our tools give you a solid foundation.