Salary guide
Allied health salary in Australia: what the Health Professionals Award sets
The Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 sets minimum pay for allied health professionals by AQF level and years of experience. A level 1 health professional at AQF level 7, the level Schedule B lists for occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech pathologists, social workers, dietitians and podiatrists, must be paid at least $1,308.80 a week ($34.44 an hour) in the first year, rising to $1,689.50 a week ($44.46 an hour) from the seventh year. Speech pathologists, social workers and dietitians are also listed at higher AQF levels, which have their own minimums. Rates apply from 1 October 2026.
Key facts
- Occupational therapist: AQF level and first-year minimum
- Listed at AQF level 7. At AQF level 7, level 1, 1st year: $1,308.80 a week ($34.44 an hour). Source: Fair Work Ombudsman: Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 [MA000027], clause 17.1(c)
- Occupational therapist: registration or credential
- Occupational Therapy Board of Australia (via Ahpra) Source: Occupational Therapy Board of Australia (via Ahpra)
- Physiotherapist: AQF level and first-year minimum
- Listed at AQF level 7. At AQF level 7, level 1, 1st year: $1,308.80 a week ($34.44 an hour). Source: Fair Work Ombudsman: Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 [MA000027], clause 17.1(c)
- Physiotherapist: registration or credential
- Physiotherapy Board of Australia (via Ahpra) Source: Physiotherapy Board of Australia (via Ahpra)
- Speech pathologist: AQF level and first-year minimum
- Listed at AQF levels 7 to 9. At AQF level 7, level 1, 1st year: $1,308.80 a week ($34.44 an hour). Source: Fair Work Ombudsman: Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 [MA000027], clause 17.1(c)
- Speech pathologist: registration or credential
- Speech Pathology Australia (self-regulated; not registered with Ahpra) Source: Speech Pathology Australia (self-regulated; not registered with Ahpra)
- Social worker: AQF level and first-year minimum
- Listed at AQF levels 7 to 9. At AQF level 7, level 1, 1st year: $1,308.80 a week ($34.44 an hour). Source: Fair Work Ombudsman: Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 [MA000027], clause 17.1(c)
- Social worker: registration or credential
- Australian Association of Social Workers (membership eligibility; not registered with Ahpra) Source: Australian Association of Social Workers (membership eligibility; not registered with Ahpra)
- Dietitian: AQF level and first-year minimum
- Listed at AQF levels 7 to 9. At AQF level 7, level 1, 1st year: $1,308.80 a week ($34.44 an hour). Source: Fair Work Ombudsman: Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 [MA000027], clause 17.1(c)
- Dietitian: registration or credential
- Dietitians Australia (self-regulated; not registered with Ahpra) Source: Dietitians Australia (self-regulated; not registered with Ahpra)
- Podiatrist: AQF level and first-year minimum
- Listed at AQF level 7. At AQF level 7, level 1, 1st year: $1,308.80 a week ($34.44 an hour). Source: Fair Work Ombudsman: Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 [MA000027], clause 17.1(c)
- Podiatrist: registration or credential
- Podiatry Board of Australia (via Ahpra) Source: Podiatry Board of Australia (via Ahpra)
Health professional level 1, AQF level 7
Schedule B of the award lists occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech pathologists, social workers, dietitians and podiatrists at AQF level 7.
| Level | Classification | Minimum weekly rate | Minimum hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| AQF Level 7 | AQF Level 7—1st year | $1,308.80 | $34.44 |
| AQF Level 7 | AQF Level 7—2nd – 3rd year | $1,409.00 | $37.08 |
| AQF Level 7 | AQF Level 7—4th – 6th year | $1,565.30 | $41.19 |
| AQF Level 7 | AQF Level 7—7th year+ | $1,689.50 | $44.46 |
Source: Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 [MA000027], clause 17.1(c). Full-time weekly rates from the first pay period starting on or after 1 October 2026. Checked 3 October 2026.
Health professional level 1, AQF level 8
Schedule B of the award lists speech pathologists, social workers and dietitians at AQF level 8.
| Level | Classification | Minimum weekly rate | Minimum hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| AQF Level 8 | AQF Level 8—1st year | $1,337.10 | $35.19 |
| AQF Level 8 | AQF Level 8—2nd – 3rd year | $1,444.90 | $38.02 |
| AQF Level 8 | AQF Level 8—4th – 6th year | $1,584.90 | $41.71 |
| AQF Level 8 | AQF Level 8—7th year+ | $1,721.40 | $45.30 |
Source: Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 [MA000027], clause 17.1(d). Full-time weekly rates from the first pay period starting on or after 1 October 2026. Checked 3 October 2026.
Health professional level 1, AQF level 9
Schedule B of the award lists speech pathologists, social workers and dietitians at AQF level 9.
| Level | Classification | Minimum weekly rate | Minimum hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| AQF Level 9 | AQF Level 9—1st year | $1,444.90 | $38.02 |
| AQF Level 9 | AQF Level 9—2nd – 3rd year | $1,545.20 | $40.66 |
| AQF Level 9 | AQF Level 9—4th – 6th year | $1,659.30 | $43.67 |
| AQF Level 9 | AQF Level 9—7th year+ | $1,755.00 | $46.18 |
Source: Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 [MA000027], clause 17.1(e). Full-time weekly rates from the first pay period starting on or after 1 October 2026. Checked 3 October 2026.
Health professional levels 2 to 4
Senior clinician, advanced clinician and manager roles.
| Classification | Minimum weekly rate | Minimum hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level 2.1 | $1,945.40 | $51.19 |
| Level 2.2 | $1,983.20 | $52.19 |
| Level 3 | $1,983.20 | $52.19 |
| Level 4 | $2,499.10 | $65.77 |
Source: Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 [MA000027], clause 17.2. Full-time weekly rates from the first pay period starting on or after 1 October 2026. Checked 3 October 2026.
How does the award classify allied health professionals?
Schedule B lists each profession with the AQF level of its standard minimum qualification. At level 1 the rate steps up with experience: 1st year, 2nd to 3rd year, 4th to 6th year and 7th year or more. Level 2 covers senior clinicians, specialists, supervisors and educators, level 3 advanced clinicians and section managers, and level 4 managers. Level 2.1 starts at $1,945.40 a week ($51.19 an hour).
What do registration and credentials look like for each profession?
Occupational therapists: Registration is required before practising or using the title occupational therapist. Overseas-qualified OTs are usually assessed by the Occupational Therapy Council first. Physiotherapists: Registration is required before practising or using the title physiotherapist. Overseas-qualified physiotherapists usually start with the Australian Physiotherapy Council. Speech pathologists: There is no Ahpra registration. Employers commonly ask for Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP) status or eligibility through Speech Pathology Australia. Social workers: There is no Ahpra registration. Employers commonly ask for eligibility for AASW membership. South Australia has legislated a separate state registration scheme. Dietitians: There is no Ahpra registration. Employers and funders commonly require Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) status through Dietitians Australia. Podiatrists: Registration is required before practising or using the title podiatrist. Overseas-qualified podiatrists are usually assessed by ANZPAC first.
Which award applies to an allied health job?
Allied health professionals in private practice, aged care, disability services and private hospitals are commonly covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award [MA000027]. Other jobs are covered by a different award or an enterprise agreement, and public sector jobs follow their own agreements, so check the one that applies to the job. The Fair Work Ombudsman can confirm which award covers a specific job.
What is not included in these figures?
The tables show ordinary-hours minimums for full-time employees. Penalty rates, overtime and allowances are extra, employers can pay above the award, and public sector and community sector jobs may be covered by other awards or enterprise agreements. Superannuation is paid on top of these rates. The super guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings from 1 July 2025 (Australian Taxation Office: Super guarantee).
Allied health pay questions
What is the minimum pay for an occupational therapist in Australia?
Under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, a full-time occupational therapist in a level 1 role at AQF level 7 must be paid at least $1,308.80 a week ($34.44 an hour) in the first year, from 1 October 2026. The rate rises with experience, to $1,689.50 a week ($44.46 an hour) from the seventh year, and at levels 2 to 4. It is an award minimum, not an average or an offer.
What is the minimum pay for a physiotherapist in Australia?
Under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, a full-time physiotherapist in a level 1 role at AQF level 7 must be paid at least $1,308.80 a week ($34.44 an hour) in the first year, from 1 October 2026. The rate rises with experience, to $1,689.50 a week ($44.46 an hour) from the seventh year, and at levels 2 to 4. It is an award minimum, not an average or an offer.
What is the minimum pay for a speech pathologist in Australia?
Under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, a full-time speech pathologist in a level 1 role at AQF level 7 must be paid at least $1,308.80 a week ($34.44 an hour) in the first year, from 1 October 2026. The rate rises with experience, to $1,689.50 a week ($44.46 an hour) from the seventh year, and at levels 2 to 4. Speech pathologists are also listed at AQF levels 8 and 9, which have their own minimums in the tables above. It is an award minimum, not an average or an offer.
What is the minimum pay for a social worker in Australia?
Under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, a full-time social worker in a level 1 role at AQF level 7 must be paid at least $1,308.80 a week ($34.44 an hour) in the first year, from 1 October 2026. The rate rises with experience, to $1,689.50 a week ($44.46 an hour) from the seventh year, and at levels 2 to 4. Social workers are also listed at AQF levels 8 and 9, which have their own minimums in the tables above. It is an award minimum, not an average or an offer.
What is the minimum pay for a dietitian in Australia?
Under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, a full-time dietitian in a level 1 role at AQF level 7 must be paid at least $1,308.80 a week ($34.44 an hour) in the first year, from 1 October 2026. The rate rises with experience, to $1,689.50 a week ($44.46 an hour) from the seventh year, and at levels 2 to 4. Dietitians are also listed at AQF levels 8 and 9, which have their own minimums in the tables above. It is an award minimum, not an average or an offer.
What is the minimum pay for a podiatrist in Australia?
Under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, a full-time podiatrist in a level 1 role at AQF level 7 must be paid at least $1,308.80 a week ($34.44 an hour) in the first year, from 1 October 2026. The rate rises with experience, to $1,689.50 a week ($44.46 an hour) from the seventh year, and at levels 2 to 4. It is an award minimum, not an average or an offer.
Are social workers paid under a different award?
Some social workers, especially in community services, are covered by the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (SCHADS) [MA000100] rather than the Health Professionals and Support Services Award. The two awards use different classifications, so check which one covers the job before comparing rates.
Do allied health professionals need to be registered?
Occupational therapists, physiotherapists and podiatrists must be registered with their national board through Ahpra before they can practise. Speech pathologists, social workers and dietitians are not registered through Ahpra, and the key facts above name the body that applies to each profession.
Can an employer pay more than the award?
Yes. The award sets minimum pay. Employers can pay more, and employees covered by an enterprise agreement are paid under that agreement, which must leave them better off overall than the award. Check the award or agreement that covers the job, and use the Fair Work Pay Calculator for a specific shift.
Related
Hiring allied health professionals? CrossNation recruits for employers across Australia. Fee is 12% of the candidate's annual salary, with a 90-day placement guarantee.
Sources (accessed 3 October 2026)
- Fair Work Ombudsman: Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 [MA000027]
- Fair Work Ombudsman: Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 [MA000100]
- Occupational Therapy Board of Australia (via Ahpra)
- Physiotherapy Board of Australia (via Ahpra)
- Speech Pathology Australia (self-regulated; not registered with Ahpra)
- Australian Association of Social Workers (membership eligibility; not registered with Ahpra)
- Dietitians Australia (self-regulated; not registered with Ahpra)
- Podiatry Board of Australia (via Ahpra)
- Australian Taxation Office: Super guarantee
- Fair Work Ombudsman: Pay Calculator
CrossNation does not promise pay, roles or visas. These guides are not legal or employment advice. This is general information, not migration advice. Speak to a registered migration agent.