What is the minimum wage for a clinical psychologist in Australia?

There is no single minimum wage for clinical psychologists. The legal minimum depends on the classification under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. For a Health Professional employee at Level 2.1, the minimum hourly rate is $51.19 (full-time weekly $1,945.40). Higher classifications (Level 3 or 4) attract higher rates. These are minimums; many clinical psychologists are paid above award under enterprise agreements or individual contracts.

How does the clinical psychologist award rate compare to the national minimum wage?

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week). The lowest award rate for a clinical psychologist (Level 2.1) is $51.19 per hour – nearly double the national minimum. This reflects the specialised qualifications and experience required. The award rate is the legal floor for covered employees, not a typical or average salary.

Does the clinical psychologist salary include superannuation?

No. The award minimum rates quoted are before tax and do not include superannuation. Under the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992, employers must pay an additional 12% of ordinary time earnings into a complying superannuation fund. For a Level 2.1 clinical psychologist earning $1,945.40 per week, the employer would contribute about $233.45 per week in super on top of the base salary.

Clinical Psychologist Salary Australia: Award Minimums and National Pay Floor

The legal minimum for a clinical psychologist covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 ranges from $51.19 per hour (Level 2.1) to $65.77 per hour (Level 4), depending on classification and experience, with 12% superannuation on top.

Clinical Psychologist Salary Australia: The Legal Minimum Under the Award

When searching for a clinical psychologist salary Australia, it is important to distinguish between the legal minimum pay floor and what a particular employer may offer. For clinical psychologists covered by a modern award, the minimum rates are set by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027), not the national minimum wage. The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage; the Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces it.

Award Coverage and Classification

The Health Professionals and Support Services Award covers employers in the health industry and their employees, including health professionals such as psychologists. Clinical psychologists are classified as Health Professional employees under Schedule B of the award. The classification depends on the employee’s qualifications (Australian Qualifications Framework level) and years of experience. The award provides minimum rates for Level 1 (with sub-levels for AQF 5, 6, and 7) and for Level 2, 3, and 4. Most clinical psychologists, who typically hold a master’s or doctoral degree, would be classified at Level 2 or above.

Minimum Rates for Health Professional Employees

According to the Fair Work Ombudsman’s consolidated award (effective 1 October 2026), the minimum weekly and hourly rates for Health Professional employees are:

Level 2.1: $1,945.40 per week / $51.19 per hour
Level 2.2: $1,983.20 per week / $52.19 per hour
Level 3: $1,983.20 per week / $52.19 per hour
Level 4: $2,499.10 per week / $65.77 per hour

These rates apply to full-time employees (38 ordinary hours per week). Part-time and casual employees receive the same hourly rate plus applicable loadings. The award also includes higher rates for Level 1 employees with more years of experience (e.g., AQF Level 7, 7th year+: $44.46 per hour).

How the Award Minimum Compares to the National Minimum Wage

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week). Even the lowest award classification for a health professional (Level 1, AQF 5, 1st year: $32.44 per hour) is well above the national minimum. For a clinical psychologist at Level 2.1, the award rate is nearly double the national minimum. This highlights that the national minimum is a backstop for award-free employees; most clinical psychologists are entitled to significantly higher minimums under their award.

Superannuation and Other Entitlements

All minimum rates quoted are base pay before tax. Employers must also pay superannuation contributions of at least 12% of ordinary time earnings into a complying fund. For a Level 2.1 clinical psychologist earning $1,945.40 per week, the employer would contribute about $233.45 per week in super. This is on top of the salary, not deducted from it. Other entitlements under the award include annual leave, personal/carer’s leave, and penalty rates for overtime or weekend work.

What If There Is an Enterprise Agreement?

If your workplace is covered by a registered enterprise agreement, that agreement may set higher rates than the award. The agreement must pass the “better off overall test” compared to the award. Always check your employment contract and any applicable agreement to determine your actual pay. The award minimum is the legal floor, not a ceiling.

Where to Find More Information

For detailed pay tables covering all classifications, visit our Rate tables page. To understand which minimum wage applies to your situation, see Which minimum wage applies guide. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database provides the calculated minimum rates, while the Fair Work Ombudsman offers explanatory resources. The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish median earnings for the specific 6-digit occupation of clinical psychologists (ANZSCO 272311), so award rates remain the most reliable public benchmark.

This article is for general orientation only. It is not a pay determination or legal advice. A modern award or enterprise agreement can require a higher rate than the national minimum.

For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.