How is casual loading applied to a speech pathologist's hourly rate?

Under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award, a casual speech pathologist receives a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate. For example, a Level 1 (1st year) casual would be paid $32.44 × 1.25 = $40.55 per hour. This loading replaces entitlements such as paid leave. When using our [timesheet](/), you can check the 'casual loading' box to add 25% to the base rate you enter.

What superannuation is paid on a speech pathologist's salary?

The super guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings, paid on top of the salary. For a full-time speech pathologist earning $64,100.40 annually, the employer would contribute an extra $7,692.05 into super, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. This is not deducted from your pay; it is an additional benefit. See our guide on [super and packaging](/topics/super-and-packaging) for more details.

How much tax does a speech pathologist pay on their annual salary?

For the 2026–27 financial year, a speech pathologist earning $64,100.40 would pay tax on the resident scale: nil on the first $18,200, 15% on the next $26,800 ($4,020), and 30% on the remaining $19,100.40 ($5,730.12), plus a 2% Medicare levy ($1,282.01). Total tax and Medicare would be approximately $11,032.13, leaving a take-home pay of about $53,068.27. Use our [take-home pay](/topics/take-home) tool for a personalised estimate.

Speech Pathologist Salary Australia: Award Rates, Casual Loading, and Take-Home Pay for 2026–27

A full-time speech pathologist at Health Professional Level 1 (1st year) earns $32.44 per hour under the award, or $1,232.70 per week for 38 hours, giving an annual gross of $64,100.40 before super and tax.

Understanding the Speech Pathologist Salary Australia Under the Award

If you're researching the speech pathologist salary Australia, the most reliable starting point is the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027), which covers most private-sector speech pathologists. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the official pay rates, and the Fair Work Commission maintains the Modern Awards Pay Database. This article explains how to convert those hourly rates into annual, fortnightly, and after-tax figures, and what casual loading and superannuation mean for your pocket.

Award Rates for Speech Pathologists

Speech pathologists are classified as Health Professional employees under the award. The minimum rates depend on your qualifications under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and years of experience. For a new graduate with an AQF Level 5 qualification (e.g., a bachelor's degree), the minimum hourly rate from 1 October 2026 is $32.44 per hour, with a weekly rate of $1,232.70 for a 38‑hour week. More experienced speech pathologists earn higher rates—for example, a Level 1 employee in their 7th year or beyond receives $40.56 per hour. These rates are set by the Fair Work Commission after the Annual Wage Review and are updated each year.

If you work in a public hospital or a government role, your pay may be governed by a different enterprise agreement, but the award provides the legal minimum. Always check your classification against the award or your contract.

Converting Hourly Pay to Annual, Fortnightly, and Weekly Figures

The standard formula for annual gross pay is:

Annual gross = hourly rate × hours per week × 52

For a full‑time speech pathologist working 38 ordinary hours per week:

Weekly: $32.44 × 38 = $1,232.72 (the award says $1,232.70, a rounding difference)
Fortnightly: $1,232.72 × 2 = $2,465.44
Annual: $1,232.72 × 52 = $64,101.44 (or $64,100.40 using the award's weekly rate)

This calculation assumes you work the same hours every week, no unpaid overtime, and no penalty rates or allowances. If you work part‑time, adjust the hours per week accordingly. For casual employees, the casual loading (see below) is added to the base rate before multiplying.

Casual Loading for Speech Pathologists

Casual employees under the award receive a 25% loading on the minimum hourly rate. This compensates for not receiving paid leave, sick pay, or other entitlements. For a Level 1 (1st year) speech pathologist:

Base rate: $32.44
Casual rate: $32.44 × 1.25 = $40.55 per hour

When using our timesheet, you can enter the base hourly rate and tick the 'casual loading' checkbox to automatically add 25%. Do not enter a rate that already includes the loading—the tool does it for you.

Casual employees also receive higher overtime and penalty rates. For example, casual overtime on a Monday to Saturday is 187.5% of the base rate for the first 2 hours and 250% after that, while Sunday work is 250% and public holidays 312.5%. These rates are set by the award and are in substitution for the casual loading.

Superannuation: Paid on Top of Your Salary

Under the Superannuation Guarantee, your employer must contribute 12% of your ordinary earnings into a super fund. This is paid on top of your salary, not deducted from it. For a full‑time speech pathologist earning $64,100.40 annually:

Super contribution: $64,100.40 × 12% = $7,692.05
Total employment cost: $64,100.40 + $7,692.05 = $71,792.45

The super guarantee applies only up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per quarter (2026–27). Most speech pathologists will be well under this cap. For more on how super interacts with your pay, see our super and packaging page.

Tax and Take‑Home Pay for 2026–27

Using the resident tax rates for 2026–27 (from the ATO):

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

Plus the Medicare levy of 2% (using the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds as the 2026–27 thresholds were not confirmed).

For a speech pathologist earning $64,100.40:

Tax on first $18,200: $0
Tax on $18,201 to $45,000: ($45,000 – $18,200) × 15% = $4,020
Tax on $45,001 to $64,100.40: ($64,100.40 – $45,000) × 30% = $5,730.12
Total tax: $9,750.12
Medicare levy: $64,100.40 × 2% = $1,282.01
Total deductions: $11,032.13
Take‑home pay: $64,100.40 – $11,032.13 = $53,068.27 per year

This is an estimate only. It does not include HELP repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, or salary packaging. Use our take‑home pay calculator for a more personalised figure.

Comparing Award Rates to the National Minimum Wage

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour (or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours). Casual employees get $33.05 per hour including the 25% loading. A speech pathologist's award rate of $32.44 is well above the minimum, reflecting the skilled nature of the role. If you are offered a rate below the award, you may be underpaid—check your classification with the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides or reference tables.

Fortnightly Pay Cycles

Many employers pay fortnightly. For a full‑time speech pathologist:

Fortnightly gross: $1,232.70 × 2 = $2,465.40
Fortnightly after tax (approx.): $53,068.27 ÷ 26 = $2,041.09

If you are paid monthly, divide the annual figure by 12.

Key Takeaways

The speech pathologist salary Australia under the award starts at $32.44 per hour for a Level 1 graduate (38‑hour week).
Annual gross = hourly × 38 × 52.
Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the base rate.
Super is 12% paid by the employer on top of your salary.
Tax is calculated on the 2026–27 resident scale plus Medicare levy.
Always verify your pay against the award or your enterprise agreement. For more details, see our minimum wage and casual loading pages.

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.