What award covers cardiovascular perfusionists in Australia?

Cardiovascular perfusionists are health professionals. The most likely modern award is the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027). You should check the classification definitions in that award or contact the Fair Work Ombudsman for confirmation. If an enterprise agreement applies, its rates will override the award.

What is the minimum hourly rate for a cardiovascular perfusionist under the Health Professionals Award?

The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database includes minimum rates for classifications in the Health Professionals and Support Services Award, but the specific classification for a cardiovascular perfusionist is not explicitly listed in public extracts. The award’s lowest ongoing rate cannot be less than the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026). An introductory rate of $25.74 per hour may apply for the first six months. Always refer to the award’s classification structure for the correct level.

Does the national minimum wage apply to all cardiovascular perfusionists?

No. The national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour applies only to award-free and agreement-free employees in the national system. Most cardiovascular perfusionists are covered by a modern award or an enterprise agreement, which will set a higher minimum rate. Juniors, apprentices, and trainees may receive lower rates under the award or the National Minimum Wage Order.

Cardiovascular Perfusionist Salary: Award Coverage and the National Minimum Wage

The precise cardiovascular perfusionist salary is not published in public award databases, but the role is likely covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, with minimum rates starting from the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026).

Understanding the cardiovascular perfusionist salary in Australia

When researching a cardiovascular perfusionist salary, it is important to separate the legal minimum from an award rate, a survey average, and a negotiated salary. This guide explains the pay floors that apply to this specialised health role and how they compare with the national minimum wage.

Which pay floor applies?

Cardiovascular perfusionists operate heart-lung machines and manage patients’ physiological status during cardiac surgery. They are health professionals, and the most relevant modern award is the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027). The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes a pay guide for this award, which includes minimum pay rates for full-time, part-time, and casual employees. However, the specific classification for a cardiovascular perfusionist is not separately listed in the public extracts of the Modern Awards Pay Database. The award’s classification definitions must be read to determine the correct level.

If an employer and employee are covered by an enterprise agreement, that agreement sets the minimum rate, which must be at least as high as the award. If no award or agreement applies, the national minimum wage is the floor.

The national minimum wage as a backstop

From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour (or $1,004.90 for a 38-hour week). This rate applies to adult award-free employees in the national system. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual minimum $33.05 per hour.

Importantly, the national minimum wage is not the only floor. Modern award minimum wages rose by 4.75% from 1 July 2026, but the lowest ongoing classification in any award cannot fall below the national minimum. An introductory rate of $25.74 per hour (or $978.10 per week) is allowed for the first six months of employment under an award.

Award rates and superannuation

A modern award or enterprise agreement can require a higher rate than the national minimum. For a cardiovascular perfusionist, the award classification may place them at a higher pay point. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database contains the calculated minimum rates, allowances, and penalty rates for each award. You can download the spreadsheets for the Health Professionals and Support Services Award to see the classification structure.

When discussing any salary, remember that superannuation is an employer payment on top of ordinary time earnings. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12%. So if an employee earns $26.44 per hour, the employer must also contribute $3.17 per hour into a super fund.

Survey averages and negotiated salaries

Publicly available survey data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) does not break out cardiovascular perfusionist earnings. The ABS May 2026 report shows full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week, but this is an economy-wide average. A cardiovascular perfusionist’s actual salary will depend on experience, location, the employer (public hospital vs private practice), and any enterprise agreement. Negotiated salaries can be significantly higher than award minima, especially for senior roles.

How to find the correct rate

To determine the exact minimum rate for a cardiovascular perfusionist:

Check the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 classification definitions. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guide is a good starting point.
Look for any applicable enterprise agreement at your workplace.
If you are award-free, the national minimum wage applies, but this is rare for this occupation.

For more detail on how pay floors are set, see our How the figures work page. You can also browse Rate tables for current national minimum wage rates.

Important distinctions

Legal minimum: The lowest amount an employer can pay, set by award or the national minimum wage.
Award rate: The minimum for a classification under a modern award, which is usually higher than the national minimum.
Survey average: An estimate from industry or government data; not a legal requirement.
Negotiated salary: What an individual agrees with their employer, which must be at least the legal minimum.

Remember that junior employees (under 21), apprentices, and trainees may be paid less than the adult rate under the National Minimum Wage Order or award provisions. For award-free juniors, the percentages range from 36.8% at age under 16 to 97.7% at age 20.

Summary

While a precise cardiovascular perfusionist salary is not published in public databases, the pay floor is set by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award or the national minimum wage. Always check the award classification and any enterprise agreement. Superannuation of 12% is payable on top of ordinary time earnings. For further guidance, visit Guides or Topics on this site.

This information is for orientation only and does not constitute pay determination or legal advice.