What is the legal minimum audiologist salary in Australia?

The legal minimum is set by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. For a Health Professional employee at Level 1 with a bachelor degree (AQF Level 7) in their first year, the minimum is $34.44 per hour or $1,308.80 per week for a full-time employee. Rates rise with years of experience and for higher AQF levels. An enterprise agreement or individual contract can set a higher rate, but never lower.

Do audiologists get casual loading?

Yes. If you are employed as a casual audiologist under the award, you are entitled to a 25% casual loading on top of the minimum hourly rate. For a Level 1 AQF7 first-year employee, that would be $43.05 per hour. The loading compensates for not receiving paid leave.

How does the audiologist salary compare to the national minimum wage?

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour. The award minimum for an entry-level audiologist is $34.44 per hour – about 30% higher. Most qualified audiologists will be paid above the award minimum due to experience or enterprise agreements, but the award provides a solid floor.

Audiologist salary in Australia: award minimum rates and what they mean

The minimum audiologist salary under the Health Professionals Award starts at $34.44 per hour for a Level 1 employee with a bachelor degree in their first year, well above the national minimum.

Understanding the audiologist salary under Australian awards

If you are researching the audiologist salary in Australia, the first thing to know is that most audiologists are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (the Health Professionals Award). This award sets minimum pay rates that are significantly higher than the national minimum wage. The figures below come from the Fair Work Ombudsman’s consolidated award, effective from 1 October 2026.

The legal minimum: award rates for audiologists

Under the Health Professionals Award, an audiologist is classified as a Health Professional employee at Level 1. The exact minimum rate depends on your Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level and your years of experience in the profession. Most audiologists hold at least a bachelor degree (AQF Level 7) or a master’s degree (AQF Level 8 or 9).

For a Level 1 employee with a bachelor degree (AQF Level 7) in their first year, the minimum is:

$34.44 per hour
$1,308.80 per week (based on 38 ordinary hours)

Rates increase with experience. For example, a Level 1 AQF Level 7 employee in their 7th year or more earns $44.46 per hour. If you hold a master’s degree (AQF Level 9), the first-year minimum is $38.02 per hour, rising to $46.18 per hour after 7 years.

These are minimum rates only. Your employer may pay more under an enterprise agreement or individual contract. The award also includes allowances for things like working away from home or using a vehicle.

Superannuation is paid on top

When discussing an audiologist salary, remember that superannuation is an additional payment. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. So on the minimum weekly rate of $1,308.80, your employer must also contribute at least $157.06 into your super fund. This is not deducted from your pay – it is on top.

No official median salary data

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Jobs and Skills Australia do not publish a median weekly earnings figure for audiologists (ANZSCO 252711). The most recent data from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025) does not provide a reliable median for this 6-digit occupation. That means we cannot give you a “typical” audiologist salary – only the legal floor is certain.

How the award interacts with the national minimum

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week). The Health Professionals Award rates are all above that, so the award applies. If you are award-free (rare for audiologists), the national minimum would be the backstop. But almost all private-sector audiologists are covered by the Health Professionals Award.

For more on how minimum wages work across different industries, see Which minimum wage applies and Rate tables.

Casual and part-time rates

If you work as a casual audiologist, you get a 25% casual loading on the minimum hourly rate. For a Level 1 AQF7 first-year employee, that is $43.05 per hour. Part-time employees are paid the same hourly rate as full-time, but work fewer hours.

Junior and apprentice rates

Audiologists are typically adults with tertiary qualifications, so junior rates (under 21) are uncommon. However, if a junior were employed in a support services role (not as a health professional), the award provides percentages of the adult rate. Apprentice rates for health professionals are also possible but rare.

For a detailed explanation of how we calculate these figures, see How the figures work.

Summary

The audiologist salary in Australia has a clear legal minimum under the Health Professionals Award. For a new graduate with a bachelor degree, that minimum is $34.44 per hour. With experience and higher qualifications, the minimum rises. Actual salaries in the market are likely higher, but no official median is available. Always check your award or enterprise agreement to ensure you are being paid correctly.