What is the average speech therapist salary in Australia?

The average speech therapist salary varies by experience and location. Under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, minimum hourly rates for health professionals range from $32.44 (1st year) to $40.56 (7th year+) for a 38-hour week. Many employers pay above award, and the ABS Average Weekly Earnings for full-time adult employees is $2,083.70 per week (May 2026), which can be used as a benchmark for professional roles.

How is casual loading calculated for speech therapists?

Casual speech therapists receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate. For example, a Level 5 1st year casual would earn $32.44 × 1.25 = $40.55 per hour. This loading replaces entitlements like paid leave. Overtime rates for casuals are also higher, calculated by adding the loading before applying overtime multipliers.

Speech Therapist Salary: Converting Your Hourly Rate to Annual Pay with a 38-Hour Week

Q: Does the annual salary estimate include superannuation?

No, superannuation is paid on top of your base salary. The super guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings (up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830). So if your annual salary is $64,126, your employer would contribute an additional $7,695 to your super fund, making total employment cost $71,821.

A speech therapist on the Health Professionals Award minimum (AQF Level 5, 1st year) earns $32.44 per hour, or about $64,126 annually before tax and super, assuming 38 hours per week.

Understanding Your Speech Therapist Salary from an Hourly Rate

If you're a speech therapist looking at a job offer or considering a change, converting an hourly rate to an annual salary is a straightforward calculation—but only if you know the right assumptions. This guide walks you through the process using a standard 38-hour week, a 52-week year, and the latest figures from the Fair Work Ombudsman, Australian Taxation Office, and ABS data. We'll also cover award minimums, casual loading, super, and tax so you can compare offers with confidence.

The 38-Hour Week and the 52-Week Year

The standard full-time week for a full-time employee under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 is 38 ordinary hours per week. This is the base for calculating annual salary. The formula is simple:

Annual gross = hourly rate × hours per week × 52

For example, the National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour. For a 38-hour week, that's $26.44 × 38 × 52 = $1,004.72 per week, or $1,004.72 × 52 = $52,257.44 per year. If you're paid a fortnight, that's $52,257.44 × 2 = $1,004.72 per fortnight.

For a speech therapist, the award classification is typically under Health Professional employees. The minimum hourly rates from the Fair Work Ombudsman for AQF Level 5 are:

1st year: $32.44 per hour
2nd–3rd year: $34.44 per hour
4th–6th year: $37.53 per hour
7th year+: $40.56 per hour

Using the formula, a speech therapist in their first year would earn $32.44 × 38 × 52 = $64,126.24 annually. A more experienced therapist (7th year+) would earn $40.56 × 38 × 52 = $80,146.56. These are minimum rates; many employers pay above award, especially in private practice or public hospitals.

Casual Loading and Overtime

If you're a casual speech therapist working as a casual employee, you receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate. This loading is paid instead of entitlements like paid leave and public holidays. For a casual speech therapist at the 1st year rate: $32.32.44 × 1.25 = $40.55 per hour. Annual salary would be $40.55 × 38 × 52 = $80,146.56. The casual loading is calculated by adding the loading before applying overtime multipliers. For example, overtime Monday to Saturday— 187.5% of the minimum hourly rate for the first 2 hours and 250% after 2 hours. The casual loading is included in the overtime rate (see clause 25.3 of the award).

Superannuation Paid on Top

Superannuation is paid on top of your base salary. The super guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. So if your annual salary of $64,126.24, your employer will contribute $7,695.15 per year. Total employment cost to the employer is $71,821.39.

Tax and Take-Home Pay

The 2026–27 resident tax brackets:

Nil to $18,200
15% to $45,000
30% to $135,000
37% to $190,000
45% above $190,000

Medicare levy generally 2% of taxable income. For a speech therapist earning $64,126.24, taxable income after the tax-free threshold. Medicare levy surcharge not included here. Use the take-home pay for a detailed estimate.

Using the Timesheet

Our timesheet allows you to enter your hourly rate and see annual, weekly, fortnight, with optional casual loading. Check the box to add 25% casual loading on top of your base hourly rate. Never include the loading in the base rate.

Reference Tables and Pay Guides

For more award rates, see our pay guides and reference tables. The average pay page uses ABS Average Weekly Earnings of $2,083.70 per week for full-time adult ordinary time (May 2026). The minimum wage page has the National Minimum Wage.

Summary

A speech therapist salary can be estimated by multiplying hourly rate by 38 hours per week and 52 weeks per year. Award minimums are $32.44 to $40.56 per hour. Super is 12% on top. Casual loading adds 25%. Use our calculator to compare offers.