What is the minimum hourly rate for a physiotherapist under the award?

Under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, a Health Professional employee Level 1 with an AQF Level 5 qualification earns between $32.44 (1st year) and $40.56 (7th year+) per hour. Physiotherapists typically require a bachelor degree (AQF Level 7), which may place them at a higher classification or pay point. Always check the award classification that matches your qualifications and experience.

How do I calculate my annual physio salary from an hourly rate?

Multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work each week, then by 52. For a full-time employee under the award, ordinary hours are 38 per week. For example, $35.00 per hour × 38 hours × 52 weeks = $69,160 per year. This assumes no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. Superannuation is paid on top at 12% of ordinary earnings.

Is casual loading included in the physio salary rates?

No. The award rates shown are minimum hourly rates for permanent employees. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate. For example, a Level 1 1st-year casual would earn $32.44 × 1.25 = $40.55 per hour. The loading compensates for entitlements casuals do not receive, such as paid leave.

Physio Salary: How to Convert Your Hourly Rate to Annual Pay Under the Award

A Health Professional employee Level 1 (AQF Level 5) under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award earns a minimum hourly rate of $32.44 (1st year) to $40.56 (7th year+), based on a 38-hour week.

Understanding Your Physio Salary: From Hourly Rate to Annual Pay

If you’re a physiotherapist or considering a career in physiotherapy, you’ve likely seen job ads quoting an hourly rate. But what does that mean for your annual physio salary? This guide explains how to convert an hourly rate to annual, fortnightly, and monthly figures under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (the Award). We’ll also cover the National Minimum Wage, casual loading, superannuation, and tax.

The Basics: Hourly × Hours × 52

The standard formula for annual gross pay is:

Annual gross = hourly rate × hours per week × 52

For full-time employees under the Award, ordinary hours are 38 per week (clause 13.1). So if your hourly rate is $35.00, your annual gross is:

$35.00 × 38 × 52 = $69,160

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

National Minimum Wage vs. Award Rates

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week for 38 hours). This applies to employees not covered by an award or agreement. However, most physiotherapists are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, which sets higher minimum rates.

According to the Fair Work Ombudsman’s award page, the minimum hourly rates for a Health Professional employee Level 1 (AQF Level 5) range from $32.44 (1st year) to $40.56 (7th year+). Physiotherapists typically hold a bachelor degree (AQF Level 7), which may mean a higher classification. Always check the Award’s classification definitions and your experience level.

Fortnightly and Monthly Pay

Many employers pay fortnightly. To find your fortnightly gross, multiply your weekly pay by 2. Using the $35.00/hour example:

Weekly: $35.00 × 38 = $1,330.00
Fortnightly: $1,330.00 × 2 = $2,660.00
Monthly (approximate): $69,160 ÷ 12 = $5,763.33

For award-covered employees, wages can be paid weekly, fortnightly, or by agreement monthly (clause 21.1).

Casual Loading

If you work as a casual physiotherapist, you receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate (clause 11.4). The loading compensates for entitlements like paid leave. For example, a casual Level 1 1st-year employee would earn:

$32.44 × 1.25 = $40.55 per hour

When using our the timesheet calculator, enter the base hourly rate (without loading) and check the casual loading box to add 25%. Do not enter a rate that already includes loading.

Superannuation: Paid on Top

Under the Award (clause 24) and the Superannuation Guarantee, your employer must contribute superannuation equal to 12% of your ordinary earnings. This is paid on top of your gross salary, not deducted from it. For the $69,160 annual example, super would be:

$69,160 × 12% = $8,299.20 per year

Super is capped at the maximum contribution base of $270,830 (2026–27). If your ordinary earnings exceed that, super is only paid on the first $270,830.

Tax and Medicare

Your take-home pay depends on tax withheld. The Australian Taxation Office’s 2026–27 resident tax rates are:

$0 – $18,200: nil
$18,201 – $45,000: 15% of excess over $18,200
$45,001 – $135,000: $4,020 + 30% of excess over $45,000
$135,001 – $190,000: $31,020 + 37% of excess over $135,000
$190,001+: $51,420 + 45% of excess over $190,000

Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (with possible reductions for low incomes). For a $69,160 annual salary, tax would be approximately:

$4,020 + 30% × ($69,160 – $45,000) = $4,020 + $7,248 = $11,268
Medicare levy: $69,160 × 2% = $1,383.20
Total tax and Medicare: about $12,651
Net annual: $69,160 – $12,651 = $56,509

Use our take-home pay guide for more detail.

Comparing Offers: Award vs. Above-Award

A physio salary can be above the award minimum, especially in private practice or with experience. The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Average Weekly Earnings (May 2026) shows full-time adult ordinary time earnings of $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year. This is an average across all industries and may not reflect physiotherapy specifically. Award rates are the legal minimum; many employers pay more to attract staff.

When evaluating a job offer, consider:

Is the rate per hour or annual salary?
Does it include casual loading?
What classification and pay point are you under?
Are penalty rates or allowances applicable?

Our pay guides and reference tables can help you compare.

Putting It All Together

To estimate your annual physio salary:

Find your award classification and minimum hourly rate.
Multiply by 38 hours × 52 weeks for full-time.
Add casual loading if applicable.
Remember super is paid on top (12%).
Deduct estimated tax and Medicare for net pay.

For example, a Level 1 4th-year physio earning $37.53/hour:

Annual gross: $37.53 × 38 × 52 = $74,159.28
Super (12%): $8,899.11
Tax and Medicare (approx): $13,500
Net annual: ~$60,659

This is an estimate. Actual pay depends on hours worked, overtime, allowances, and your personal tax situation. Use our hourly conversion tool for quick calculations.

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.