What is the minimum hourly rate for a diagnostic radiographer?

The minimum hourly rate depends on your classification under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. As of 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour, but award rates for diagnostic radiographers are higher. Check the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide for the exact rate for your level.

How is casual loading calculated for a diagnostic radiographer?

Casual loading is 25% on top of the base hourly rate. For example, if the base rate is $35.00, the casual rate becomes $43.75. Super is then calculated on the casual rate (ordinary earnings) at 12% and paid on top.

Does super guarantee apply to casual loading?

Yes. The super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings, which includes the casual loading. So if your casual hourly rate is $43.75, super is $5.25 per hour, paid on top of that rate, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year.

Diagnostic Radiographer Salary: Hourly Rates, Casual Loading, and Super Paid on Top

A diagnostic radiographer on a casual basis under the Health Professionals Award earns at least the award hourly rate plus 25% casual loading, with 12% super paid on top, assuming a 38-hour week.

Understanding Your Diagnostic Radiographer Salary

If you are a diagnostic radiographer working in Australia, knowing how your pay is structured is essential. Your diagnostic radiographer salary can be calculated from an hourly rate, but you also need to account for casual loading, superannuation, and tax. This guide uses official sources from the Fair Work Ombudsman and Fair Work Commission to help you estimate your annual, fortnightly, and take-home pay.

Hourly to Annual: The Basic Formula

The standard formula to convert an hourly rate to annual gross pay is:

Annual gross ≈ hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks

For full-time employees, we assume a 38-hour week (the ordinary hours under most awards). For example, if your base hourly rate is $35.00:

Annual = $35.00 × 38 × 52 = $69,160
Fortnightly = ($35.00 × 38 × 2) = $2,660

This calculation assumes you work the same hours every week, with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. It is a starting point for budgeting.

Award Rates vs National Minimum Wage

Diagnostic radiographers are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027). The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides for each award, which list the minimum hourly rates for each classification level. These award rates are higher than the National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026). For casual employees, the minimum is $33.05 per hour including the 25% casual loading, but award rates may be higher.

You can find the exact rate for your role using the Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database or the FWO's Pay Calculator. Always check the award, not a recruiter survey, for your minimum entitlement.

Casual Loading: 25% on Top

If you work as a casual diagnostic radiographer, you are entitled to a 25% loading on your base hourly rate. This loading compensates for not receiving paid leave. The loading is added before you calculate super and tax.

Example:

Base award rate: $35.00 per hour
Casual loading (25%): $8.75
Casual rate: $43.75 per hour

When you use our timesheet, you can check the box to add 25% casual loading. Do not enter a rate that already includes loading; the tool adds it for you.

Super Guarantee: Paid on Top

Superannuation is paid by your employer on top of your ordinary earnings. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. For casuals, ordinary earnings include the casual loading.

Using the casual rate above:

Super per hour = $43.75 × 12% = $5.25
Total cost to employer = $43.75 + $5.25 = $49.00 per hour

Super is not deducted from your pay; it is an additional contribution. Learn more about super and packaging.

Tax and Medicare Levy

Your take-home pay depends on the 2026–27 resident tax rates:

Nil tax on 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 a Medicare levy of 2% (generally). The tax-free threshold is assumed. For a full-time diagnostic radiographer earning $69,160 annually:

Tax: $5,092 + 30% of ($69,160 - $45,000) = $5,092 + $7,248 = $12,340
Medicare: $69,160 × 2% = $1,383.20
Net annual: $69,160 - $12,340 - $1,383 = $55,437

Fortnightly take-home would be approximately $2,132.

Fortnightly Pay and Budgeting

Many employers pay fortnightly. To estimate your fortnightly gross:

Fortnightly gross = hourly rate × hours per week × 2

For a casual diagnostic radiographer at $43.75 per hour, 38 hours per week:

Fortnightly gross = $43.75 × 38 × 2 = $3,325
Super on top = $3,325 × 12% = $399

Use our reference tables for quick conversions.

Why Official Sources Matter

Recruiter surveys often report higher salaries, but your legal minimum is set by the award. The Fair Work Ombudsman and Fair Work Commission provide authoritative data. The Modern Awards Pay Database includes all minimum rates, allowances, and penalty rates. Always verify your classification and pay against the award.

Next Steps

Check your award classification using the pay guides from Fair Work.
Use our timesheet to convert your hourly rate to annual, fortnightly, and weekly figures.
Understand casual loading and how it affects your total package.
Estimate your take-home pay after tax and Medicare.

Remember, this is an estimate. Your actual pay may vary due to enterprise agreements, salary packaging, or other factors. Always consult the Fair Work Ombudsman or a qualified advisor for your specific situation.