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

The minimum wage for a clinical psychologist depends on their classification under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. For a Level 1 employee with a master's or doctorate (AQF Level 9) in their first year, the minimum is $38.02 per hour, or $1,444.90 per week. More experienced clinicians or those in higher levels (Level 2–4) have higher minimums, up to $65.77 per hour for Level 4. These rates are from 1 October 2026 and include the 4.75% increase from the Annual Wage Review. Superannuation of 12% is paid on top.

Do clinical psychologists get paid more than the national minimum wage?

Yes, clinical psychologists are paid well above the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026). The award minimum for a clinical psychologist is at least $38.02 per hour, which is 44% higher. Many clinical psychologists with experience or in senior roles earn significantly more, especially if covered by enterprise agreements or working in private practice. However, award rates are only the legal floor; actual salaries can be higher.

How does superannuation affect a clinical psychology salary?

Superannuation is an employer contribution paid on top of your salary, not deducted from it. Under the Superannuation Guarantee, employers must contribute 12% of your ordinary time earnings (including the award rate) to a super fund. For example, if your base salary is $38.02 per hour, your employer pays an additional $4.56 per hour into super. This is separate from your take-home pay and helps build your retirement savings.

Clinical Psychology Salary: Award Minimums and What to Expect in 2026

Clinical psychologists are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award, with minimum hourly rates ranging from $38.02 for a Level 1 AQF 9 first-year to $65.77 for Level 4, plus 12% super.

Clinical Psychology Salary: Award Minimums and the National Floor

When researching a clinical psychology salary in Australia, the first thing to understand is that there is no single figure. Pay depends on qualifications, experience, the type of employer, and whether you are covered by a modern award or an enterprise agreement. The legal minimum for most clinical psychologists is set by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027), which the Fair Work Commission reviews each year.

The Award That Covers Clinical Psychologists

Clinical psychologists are classified as Health Professional employees under the award. To work as a clinical psychologist you typically need a master’s or doctoral degree (AQF Level 9). The award sets minimum rates for each AQF level and year of experience. For a Level 1 employee with AQF Level 9 in their first year, the minimum hourly rate from 1 October 2026 is $38.02 per hour (or $1,444.90 per week). After seven years at Level 1, the rate rises to $46.18 per hour. More senior roles fall under Level 2 (e.g., $51.19 per hour), Level 3 ($52.19), or Level 4 ($65.77). These rates are from the Fair Work Ombudsman’s award database and incorporate the latest Annual Wage Review increase.

How the National Minimum Wage Compares

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour for adults, or $1,004.90 per week. That is the absolute floor for award-free employees. However, clinical psychologists are almost always covered by the Health Professionals Award, which sets much higher minimums. Even a first-year graduate earns at least $38.02 per hour – 44% above the national minimum. The award also includes provisions for juniors, apprentices, and trainees, but these are uncommon for clinical psychologists.

Superannuation Is Paid on Top

All minimum rates quoted here are base pay. Employers must also pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% of ordinary time earnings. For a clinical psychologist on $38.02 per hour, that adds another $4.56 per hour into their super fund. This is not deducted from the salary; it is an extra cost for the employer. The Australian Taxation Office sets the super guarantee rate, which is scheduled to rise to 12% from 1 July 2026.

What About Casual Work?

If a clinical psychologist is employed as a casual, they receive a 25% loading on top of the award minimum. For a Level 1 AQF 9 first-year, that would be $47.53 per hour. Casual loading compensates for the lack of paid leave and other entitlements. The award also specifies penalty rates for evening, weekend, and public holiday work, which can further increase pay.

Why There Is No Official Median Salary

You may see figures for “clinical psychology salary” online, but the Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish median earnings for 6-digit occupations like Clinical Psychologists (ANZSCO 272311). The Jobs and Skills Australia profile notes that median weekly earnings are not produced for these detailed codes. That means any average you find elsewhere is not from the ABS and may not be reliable. The only official benchmarks are the award minimums and the national minimum wage.

Award Rates vs. Enterprise Agreements vs. Private Practice

The award rate is the legal minimum. Many public hospitals, community health centres, and universities have enterprise agreements that pay above the award. Clinical psychologists in private practice may set their own fees, but if they are employees, the award still applies. Self-employed psychologists are not covered by the award but must ensure their fees cover business costs and super.

How to Check Your Pay

If you are a clinical psychologist employee, your pay must meet or exceed the award minimum for your classification. You can find the full rate tables on the Fair Work Ombudsman website. For more guidance on which pay floor applies to you, see our Which minimum wage applies page. You can also browse Rate tables for other health professional classifications.

Key Takeaways

The legal minimum for a clinical psychologist (Level 1 AQF 9, first year) is $38.02 per hour from 1 October 2026.
This is well above the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour.
Superannuation of 12% is paid on top of the base rate.
No official median salary exists for this occupation; rely on award rates as the floor.
Enterprise agreements or private practice arrangements can set higher pay.

For more detail on how award rates are calculated and what they include, visit our How the figures work page. If you have questions about your specific situation, the Fair Work Ombudsman provides free advice.