What is the minimum hourly rate for an occupational therapist under the Health Professionals Award?

The minimum hourly rate depends on classification and experience. For a Level 2.1 Health Professional employee, the rate is $51.19 per hour as of 1 October 2026 (). Entry-level occupational therapists (Level 1, AQF5, first year) earn $32.44 per hour. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the base rate.

How do I convert my hourly rate to an annual occupational therapist salary?

Multiply your hourly rate by 38 hours per week, then by 52 weeks. For example, $51.19 × 38 × 52 = $101,000. This assumes a full-time 38-hour week with no unpaid overtime or penalty rates. Use [the timesheet](/) to calculate your own figures.

Is superannuation included in the hourly rate or paid on top?

Superannuation is paid on top of your hourly rate. The employer must contribute 12% of your ordinary earnings (up to the $270,830 maximum contribution base) to a super fund. For a $51.19/hour rate, that adds about $6.14 per hour in super.

Occupational Therapist Salary: Hourly to Annual Pay Under the Health Professionals Award

For a full-time occupational therapist at Level 2.1 under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award, the minimum hourly rate is $51.19, giving an annual salary of about $101,000 before tax and super.

Understanding the occupational therapist salary under the Health Professionals Award

Occupational therapists in Australia are typically covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (). This award sets minimum hourly rates for full-time, part-time, and casual employees. The rates were updated from 1 July 2026 (with further changes from 1 October 2026 due to the gender undervaluation review).

For a full-time occupational therapist working 38 ordinary hours per week, the minimum hourly rate ranges from $32.44 (Level 1, AQF5, first year) to $51.19 (Level 2.1) and higher for more senior roles. The award also specifies that ordinary hours cannot exceed 10 per day, and overtime attracts penalty rates (150%–250% depending on the day and hours).

Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the base hourly rate. For example, a casual occupational therapist at Level 2.1 would earn $51.19 × 1.25 = $63.99 per hour. This loading compensates for the lack of paid leave and other entitlements.

How to convert an hourly rate to annual pay

The standard formula for annual gross pay is:

hourly rate × hours per week × 52

For a full-time occupational therapist, we assume 38 hours per week (the award standard). So:

$51.19/hour × 38 hours × 52 weeks = $101,000 (approx.)
$32.44/hour × 38 × 52 = $64,100 (entry level)

If you are paid fortnightly, your gross pay is the weekly amount multiplied by 2. For $51.19/hour, weekly pay is $1,945.22, so fortnightly is $3,890.44.

This calculation assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, and no allowances. Use the timesheet to enter your own hourly rate and see the annual, fortnightly, and weekly figures.

Tax and super on your occupational therapist salary

Income tax (2026–27 resident rates)

The Australian Taxation Office applies a progressive tax scale:

Nil tax 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 a Medicare levy of 2% (with reductions for low-income earners). For a $101,000 annual salary, the estimated tax is about $22,500 plus Medicare, leaving a take-home pay of roughly $76,000. See take-home pay for a detailed breakdown.

Superannuation guarantee

Employers must pay 12% of your ordinary earnings into a super fund, on top of your salary. This is not deducted from your hourly rate. For a $51.19/hour rate, the super contribution is $6.14 per hour, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. Super is not included in the annual salary figure shown on the timesheet but is added separately. Learn more at super and packaging.

Casual loading and award rates

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week for 38 hours). Casual employees get a 25% loading, making the casual minimum $33.05 per hour. However, occupational therapists are covered by the award, which has higher minimum rates. The award rates are the legal minimum; many employers pay above award.

If you are a casual occupational therapist, your hourly rate is the base award rate plus 25% loading. Do not enter a rate that already includes the loading into the timesheet — instead, enter the base rate and check the casual loading box. The tool will add the 25% automatically.

Fortnightly and weekly pay periods

The award allows wages to be paid weekly, fortnightly, or monthly. Most employers pay fortnightly. To find your fortnightly gross pay, multiply your weekly pay by 2. For a $51.19/hour occupational therapist, weekly gross is $1,945.22, so fortnightly is $3,890.44. After tax and Medicare, the fortnightly take-home is roughly $2,900.

Reference tables and further reading

For a complete list of award classifications and pay points, see the reference tables from the Fair Work Commission. The pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman also provide easy-to-read summaries. The minimum wage page explains the National Minimum Wage and how it relates to awards.

Important notes

The annual pay shown here is an estimate based on a 38-hour week, 52 weeks per year, with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, allowances, or salary sacrifice.
Super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings, paid on top, and stops at the $270,830 maximum contribution base.
Tax uses 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.