What is the casual loading for a speech pathologist?

Under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award, casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate. For a Level 1 speech pathologist (1st year), the casual rate is $32.44 × 1.25 = $40.55 per hour. This loading compensates for entitlements casuals do not receive, such as paid leave.

How is superannuation calculated on a speech pathologist salary?

Superannuation is paid on top of your ordinary earnings at the super guarantee rate of 12% (from 1 July 2026). For a full-time speech pathologist earning $64,108 per year, the employer contributes an additional $7,693. Super is not deducted from your salary; it is an extra payment into a super fund, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830.

What tax will I pay on a speech pathologist salary?

For the 2026–27 financial year, a full-time speech pathologist earning $64,108 pays no tax on the first $18,200, then 15% on the next $26,800 ($4,020), and 30% on the remaining $19,108 ($5,732). Total tax is approximately $9,752, plus a 2% Medicare levy ($1,282), giving a total of $11,034. This is an estimate; your actual tax may vary based on deductions and offsets.

Speech Pathologist Salary: Award Rates, Fortnightly Pay, and Annual Earnings

A Level 1 speech pathologist (AQF Level 5, 1st year) under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award earns $32.44 per hour, or $64,108 annually based on a 38-hour week.

Understanding Your Speech Pathologist Salary

If you are a speech pathologist in Australia, your pay is likely covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. This award sets minimum hourly rates for health professional employees, including speech pathologists, based on their qualifications and years of experience. The most common entry point is Level 1, AQF Level 5, 1st year, which pays $32.44 per hour as of the first full pay period starting on or after 1 October 2026.

How to Calculate Annual Pay from an Hourly Rate

To estimate your annual speech pathologist salary, use the standard formula:

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

For a full-time employee, the award defines ordinary hours as an average of 38 per week. So for a Level 1 speech pathologist:

$32.44 × 38 × 52 = $64,108 per year

This calculation assumes you work the same 38-hour week every week, with no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. If you work part-time, adjust the weekly hours accordingly.

Fortnightly and Weekly Pay

Most employers pay weekly or fortnightly. Your weekly pay before tax is:

$32.44 × 38 = $1,232.72

Fortnightly, that is $2,465.44 (weekly × 2). This is useful for budgeting if you are paid on a fortnightly cycle.

Casual Loading

If you are employed as a casual speech pathologist, you receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate. The casual rate for Level 1 (1st year) is:

$32.44 × 1.25 = $40.55 per hour

This loading is paid instead of entitlements like annual leave, personal leave, and public holidays. Casual employees also get overtime rates calculated on the loaded rate. For more details, see our casual loading page.

Comparing Award Rates to the National Minimum Wage

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $33.05 per hour for casuals including loading. Award rates for speech pathologists are higher because they reflect the skilled nature of the profession. The Fair Work Ombudsman and Fair Work Commission set these rates through annual wage reviews. Always use the award rate that matches your classification and experience level.

Tax on Your Speech Pathologist Salary

Using the 2026–27 resident tax rates:

$0 – $18,200: Nil
$18,201 – $45,000: 15%
$45,001 – $135,000: 30%
$135,001 – $190,000: 37%
$190,001+: 45%

Plus a 2% Medicare levy (based on 2025–26 single reduction thresholds, as 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed).

For a $64,108 annual salary:

Tax on first $18,200: $0
Tax on next $26,800 (to $45,000): $4,020
Tax on remaining $19,108 (to $64,108): $5,732
Total tax: $9,752
Medicare levy (2% of $64,108): $1,282
Total tax + Medicare: $11,034

Your take-home pay would be approximately $53,074 per year, or $1,020 per week. Use our take-home pay tool for a personalised estimate.

Superannuation Paid on Top

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee at 12% of your ordinary earnings (from 1 July 2026). This is paid on top of your salary, not deducted from it. For a full-time speech pathologist:

$64,108 × 12% = $7,693 per year

Super is capped at the maximum contribution base of $270,830. If you earn above that, the 12% only applies up to that limit. Learn more about super and packaging.

Using the Timesheet Calculator

Our timesheet tool lets you enter your base hourly rate and optionally add the 25% casual loading. It then calculates your weekly, fortnightly, and annual pay, along with estimated tax and super. Remember: do not enter a rate that already includes casual loading – use the checkbox to add it automatically.

Other Award Classifications

Speech pathologists with more experience or higher qualifications move up the pay scale. For example:

Level 1, AQF Level 5, 2nd–3rd year: $34.44/hour → $68,045 annual
Level 1, AQF Level 5, 4th–6th year: $37.53/hour → $74,159 annual
Level 1, AQF Level 5, 7th year+: $40.56/hour → $80,147 annual

These rates are from the Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guide and the Modern Awards Pay Database.

Important Disclaimer

Annual pay shown 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 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.

For more award-specific pay guides, visit our pay guides page. For reference tables of all classifications, see our reference tables.