How does casual loading affect a podiatrist salary?

Casual employees under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate. For a podiatrist at Level 2.1 ($51.19/hr), the casual rate is $63.99/hr. This loading compensates for entitlements like paid leave that casuals do not receive.

What is the superannuation guarantee for a podiatrist?

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings, paid on top of your base salary. For a podiatrist earning $101,154 per year, the employer contributes an extra $12,138 annually, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830.

How is a podiatrist salary taxed in 2026-27?

For 2026-27, the resident tax rates are: nil on the first $18,200, 15% on income up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, 37% up to $190,000, and 45% above that. The Medicare levy is generally 2%. A podiatrist earning $101,154 would pay about $22,088 in tax plus $2,023 Medicare levy, assuming no deductions.

Podiatrist salary: hourly rates, annual pay, and tax in Australia

Under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award, a podiatrist at Level 2.1 earns at least $51.19 per hour, or $101,154 per year for a 38-hour week.

Understanding a podiatrist salary under the Health Professionals Award

If you are looking at a podiatrist salary in Australia, the starting point is the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027). This award sets minimum pay rates for podiatrists employed in the health industry. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the official rates, which we use here.

Award rates for podiatrists

Under the award, a podiatrist is typically classified as a Health Professional employee. The most common entry-level classification is Level 2.1, which has a minimum hourly rate of $51.19. More experienced podiatrists may be at Level 2.2 ($52.19/hr) or Level 3 ($52.19/hr). These rates apply to full-time and part-time employees. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top, making the casual rate $63.99/hr for Level 2.1.

Converting hourly rates to annual pay

To estimate an annual podiatrist salary, use the formula:

Annual gross pay = hourly rate × hours per week × 52

We assume a standard 38-hour week, as defined in the award for full-time employees. For a podiatrist at $51.19/hr:

Weekly: $51.19 × 38 = $1,945.22
Fortnightly: $1,945.22 × 2 = $3,890.44
Annual: $1,945.22 × 52 = $101,154

This calculation assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, and no allowances. It is a base estimate. Use the timesheet to enter your own hourly rate and see your annual figure.

Fortnightly pay and budgeting

Many employers pay fortnightly. For a podiatrist on $51.19/hr, the fortnightly gross is about $3,890. After tax and Medicare, the take-home amount is lower. See our take-home pay guide for more detail.

Casual loading explained

If you work as a casual podiatrist, the award requires a 25% loading on the minimum hourly rate. This is paid instead of entitlements like annual leave and sick leave. The loading is applied on top of the base rate, not included in it. When using the timesheet or any calculator, enter the base hourly rate (e.g., $51.19) and check the casual loading box to add 25%. Never enter a rate that already includes the loading.

Superannuation is paid on top

Under the award and superannuation legislation, your employer must contribute superannuation at the rate of 12% of your ordinary earnings (from 1 July 2026). This is paid on top of your salary, not deducted from it. For a $101,154 annual salary, that is an extra $12,138 per year, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. Learn more about super and packaging.

Tax on a podiatrist salary

For 2026-27, the Australian Tax Office resident tax rates are:

$0 – $18,200: nil
$18,201 – $45,000: 15% on excess over $18,200
$45,001 – $135,000: 30% on excess over $45,000
$135,001 – $190,000: 37% on excess over $135,000
$190,001+: 45% on excess over $190,000

Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (single thresholds not confirmed for 2026-27, so we use 2025-26 thresholds). For a podiatrist earning $101,154, the estimated tax is about $22,088 and Medicare levy $2,023, leaving a take-home of about $77,043. This is an estimate; use the hourly conversion tool to see your own figures.

Comparing with national benchmarks

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour for award-free employees. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings for full-time adult ordinary time is $2,083.70 per week (May 2026). A podiatrist at $51.19/hr exceeds both, reflecting the professional qualification required.

Important notes

This guide uses the Health Professionals and Support Services Award as the primary source. If you are covered by an enterprise agreement or a different award, your rates may differ.
The annual figure assumes 52 weeks of work. Unpaid leave or overtime will change the actual amount.
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 details, see our pay guides and reference tables. You can also check the minimum wage page for the national rate, or the average pay page for industry comparisons.