What is the minimum hourly rate for a physiotherapist under the Health Professionals Award?

Under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, a physiotherapist is typically classified as a Health Professional employee. Minimum rates depend on the AQF level and years of experience. For example, a Level 1 employee with AQF Level 8 (e.g., honours degree) in their first year earns $35.19 per hour. A Level 2.1 employee earns $51.19 per hour. These rates are updated annually by the Fair Work Commission. Always check the latest pay guide from the Fair Work Ombudsman for your specific classification.

How does casual loading apply to a physiotherapist's pay?

Casual employees under the award receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate. This loading compensates for entitlements casuals do not receive, such as paid leave. For a Level 1 AQF Level 8 1st year physiotherapist, the casual rate would be $35.19 × 1.25 = $43.99 per hour. The loading is paid for each ordinary hour worked and is also included when calculating overtime rates. Superannuation is then paid on top of the casual rate.

How is superannuation calculated for a physiotherapist?

Superannuation is paid on top of your ordinary earnings at the super guarantee rate, which is 12% from 1 July 2026. For a full-time physiotherapist earning the minimum hourly rate, super is calculated on the base rate (or casual rate if applicable) for ordinary hours. For example, a Level 1 AQF Level 8 employee on $35.19 per hour for 38 hours per week earns $1,337.22 per week. Super would be $1,337.22 × 0.12 = $160.47 per week, paid into a nominated fund. The maximum contribution base is $270,830 per year.

Physiotherapist salary: Award rates, casual loading and super paid on top

A physiotherapist classified at Health Professional Level 1 AQF Level 8 1st year earns a minimum hourly rate of $35.19, or $51.19 at Level 2.1, based on 38 ordinary hours per week under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award.

Physiotherapist salary under the Health Professionals Award

A physiotherapist salary in Australia is typically governed by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 [MA000027]. This award sets minimum pay rates for health professionals, including physiotherapists, based on their classification and years of experience. The Fair Work Ombudsman and the Fair Work Commission provide the official rates, which are updated after each Annual Wage Review. For the 2026–27 financial year, the award rates reflect the latest increase and the gender-based undervaluation adjustments effective from 1 October 2026.

Minimum hourly rates for physiotherapists

Under the award, a physiotherapist is usually classified as a Health Professional employee at Level 1 or Level 2, depending on qualifications and experience. The award specifies rates for different AQF levels. For example:

Health Professional Level 1, AQF Level 8 (e.g., honours degree), 1st year: $35.19 per hour ().
Health Professional Level 1, AQF Level 8, 7th year+: $45.30 per hour.
Health Professional Level 2.1: $51.19 per hour.

These are the minimum rates for full-time employees working 38 ordinary hours per week. Part-time employees are paid the same hourly rate but work fewer hours. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum rate, as explained below.

Casual loading and superannuation paid on top

A key feature of the award is the casual loading. Casual employees are paid an additional 25% of the minimum hourly rate for each ordinary hour worked. This loading is in lieu of paid leave and other entitlements. For a Level 1 AQF Level 8 physiotherapist, the casual rate is $35.19 × 1.25 = $43.99 per hour. The loading is also factored into overtime calculations.

Superannuation is paid on top of your ordinary earnings. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12%. For a full-time employee, super is calculated on the base hourly rate (or casual rate if applicable) for ordinary hours. The maximum contribution base is $270,830 per year. Super is not deducted from your pay; it is an additional contribution by your employer.

Converting hourly to annual pay

To estimate your annual gross salary, use the formula:

Annual gross ≈ hourly rate × hours per week × 52

For a full-time physiotherapist on $35.19 per hour working 38 hours per week:

$35.19 × 38 × 52 = $69,535.44 per year (before tax and super).

If you are casual, use the casual rate ($43.99) in the same formula: $43.99 × 38 × 52 = $86,930.24 per year. Super is then added on top at 12%.

Fortnightly and weekly pay

Most employers pay weekly or fortnightly. A fortnightly gross pay for the full-time example above is:

$35.19 × 38 × 2 = $2,674.44 per fortnight (before tax and super).

You can use our the timesheet to calculate your pay for any number of hours, including casual loading. The tool assumes 38 ordinary hours per week unless you adjust the hours.

Tax and take-home pay

Tax is withheld from your gross pay 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 a Medicare levy of 2% (with possible reductions for low incomes). For the full-time physiotherapist earning $69,535, the estimated tax would be approximately $11,567 plus Medicare, leaving a take-home pay of around $56,600 per year. Use our take-home pay guide for a detailed estimate.

Comparing award rates to other benchmarks

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $33.05 for casuals including loading. The award rates for physiotherapists are significantly higher, reflecting the professional qualifications required. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings are $2,083.70 (May 2026), which equates to about $108,352 per year. A physiotherapist at Level 2.1 ($51.19/hour) would earn $101,151 per year, close to the national average.

Using the pay guides and reference tables

For the most accurate and up-to-date rates, always refer to the official pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman. The reference tables from the Fair Work Commission also provide detailed classification data. These sources are authoritative and should be used instead of recruiter surveys or informal sources.

Important notes

The calculations here assume 38 ordinary hours per week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, and no salary sacrifice.
Casual loading is applied as a checkbox in our the timesheet – do not enter a rate that already includes casual loading.
Super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings, paid on top, and stops at the $270,830 maximum contribution base.
Tax estimates use the 2026–27 resident scale with the full tax-free threshold and 2025–26 Medicare reduction thresholds (as 2026–27 reductions were not confirmed).

This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax. Always consult a qualified professional for your specific situation.