Physiotherapist Salary Australia: Award Rates, Hourly to Annual Pay Guide
Under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award, a full-time physiotherapist at Level 1 AQF Level 8 (first year) earns a minimum hourly rate of $35.19, equating to an annual salary of approximately $69,535 before tax and super, assuming 38 hours per week for 52 weeks.
Understanding Physiotherapist Salary Australia: Award Rates and Annual Conversion
If you're searching for "physiotherapist salary Australia", you'll want to know how to turn an hourly rate into annual pay. The standard full-time week is 38 hours. The formula is simple: **hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks. For a physiotherapist under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award [MA000027], the minimum rates are set by classification and experience.
Minimum Award Rates for Physiotherapists
The Fair Work Ombudsman's award lists Health Professional Level 1 rates. For a physiotherapist with a bachelor's degree (AQF Level 8 equivalent), the first-year hourly rate is $35.19. That gives a weekly pay of $1,337.22 (38 hours) and an annual gross of $69,535.44. With 2–3 years' experience, the rate rises to $38.02/hour, annual $72,407.52. After 4–6 years, $41.71/hour, annual $79,322.16. And after 7+ years, $45.30/hour, annual $86,114.40. These are minimums—many physiotherapists earn above award.
Converting Hourly to Annual: The 38-Hour Week
Use the formula: annual gross ≈ hourly × 38 × 52. For example, $35.19 × 38 × 52 = $69,535.44. If you're paid fortnightly, multiply weekly pay by 2: $1,337.22 × 2 = $2,674.44 per fortnight.
Casual Loading for Physiotherapists
Casual employees get a 25% loading on top of the base rate. For a Level 1 AQF 8 first year, that's $35.19 + 25% = $43.99/hour. The award states casual loading is payable instead of entitlements like paid leave. When using our timesheet, check the casual loading box to add 25% to your base rate—never type a rate that already includes loading.
Tax and Super on a Physiotherapist's Pay
From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44/hour, but physiotherapists are covered by the award. Tax is based on the 2026–27 resident scale: nil up to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, 45% above. Medicare levy is 2%. For a $69,535 annual salary, tax is roughly $9,000–$10,000 plus Medicare $1,390. Take-home pay is around $58,000–$59,000.
Super guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings, paid on top. For $35.19/hour, super is $4.22/hour, annual $8,344. The maximum contribution base is $270,830, so most physiotherapists won't hit that.
Using the Pay Guides and Reference Tables
The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides pay guides for the Health Professionals Award, including all allowances and penalty rates. For detailed classification rates, see our reference tables which summarise award rates.
Fortnightly Pay Example
If you earn $35.19/hour, weekly gross is $1,337.22, fortnightly $2,674.44. After tax and Medicare, a fortnightly take-home might be around $2,200–$2,300 depending on your tax code.
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.
For more on minimum wage, see minimum wage. For take-home pay, see take-home pay. For super and packaging, see super and packaging.
Check the Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database for the latest data.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.