Which award covers criminal psychologists?

There is no single award titled 'Criminal Psychologist'. Most psychologists in Australia are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, which includes classification levels for registered psychologists and clinical psychologists. Some criminal psychologists working in government or forensic settings may be covered by an enterprise agreement that overrides the award. You should check your employment contract and ask your employer which award or agreement applies.

Is superannuation included in the salary figures?

No. The national minimum wage, award rates and survey averages are all before super. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, paid on top of your base salary. For example, if your award rate is $35.00 per hour, your employer must also contribute $4.20 per hour into your super fund.

How can I find out if my criminal psychology salary is above the legal minimum?

First, identify the correct award or enterprise agreement that covers your role. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database lists minimum rates for each classification. Compare your ordinary hourly rate (excluding overtime, penalties and allowances) to the minimum for your classification. If you are award‑free, the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour applies. Remember that junior, apprentice and supported wage rates can be lower. If your rate is below the minimum, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman for advice.

Criminal psychology salary: how to check your hourly rate against the legal minimum

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week, but most criminal psychologists are covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement that sets a higher minimum.

Criminal psychology salary: what the law says you must be paid

When you search for a criminal psychology salary in Australia, the numbers you see online – from job ads or salary surveys – are often averages or ranges. They are not the legal minimum. To know whether a job offer or your current pay is lawful, you need to separate the legal floor from a survey average, an award rate, and a negotiated salary.

The national minimum wage is the backstop

From 1 July 2026, the adult national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38‑hour week. Casual employees get a 25% loading, making the casual minimum $33.05 per hour. These rates apply to award‑free employees who are not covered by an enterprise agreement. If you are under 21, junior percentages may apply – for example, a 20‑year‑old award‑free worker must get at least $25.84 per hour (97.7% of the adult rate).

But most criminal psychologists are not award‑free. Your employment is likely covered by a modern award or an enterprise agreement that sets a higher minimum.

Award rates for psychologists

The Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 is the most common award for psychologists. It includes classification levels such as Psychologist Level 1, Level 2, and so on. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database shows the minimum hourly rates for each level. For example, a Psychologist Level 1 (first year) might be around $34–$36 per hour, well above the national minimum. These award rates increased by 4.75% from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026.

Some criminal psychologists work in government departments, correctional services, or forensic mental health. Those roles are often covered by enterprise agreements negotiated with the employer. Enterprise agreements can set rates higher than the award, and they may include additional allowances for on‑call work, shift penalties, or working with high‑risk clients.

Survey averages give a market picture, not a legal one

PayScale reports the average criminal psychology salary in Australia as $70,094 per year (median), with a range from $51,000 to $111,000. That works out to roughly $35.44 per hour based on a 38‑hour week. Job listings on SEEK show salaries from $66,000 to $129,000 depending on experience and location. These figures are useful for negotiating, but they are not minimums. An employer can pay you less than the survey average as long as they meet the award or agreement rate.

Super is paid on top

All salary figures mentioned – the national minimum, award rates, and survey averages – are before superannuation. The super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary time earnings from 1 July 2026. Your employer must pay this into your super fund on top of your base salary. If your contract says $80,000 per year, the total cost to the employer is at least $89,600 once super is included.

How to check your own rate

Find out which award or enterprise agreement covers your job. Your employer must tell you this in writing.
Look up the classification and minimum rate in the Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database.
Compare your ordinary hourly rate (excluding overtime, penalties, and allowances) to that minimum.
If you are award‑free, use the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour.
Remember that junior, apprentice, and supported wage rates can be lower than the adult minimum.

If your pay is below the legal minimum, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman. They can investigate and help you recover unpaid wages.

More resources

Which minimum wage applies – a guide to finding your correct pay floor.
Rate tables – current national minimum and award rates.

Summary

The legal minimum for a criminal psychologist depends on your award or agreement, not on a survey average. The national minimum wage is the absolute floor, but most psychologists earn well above it. Always check your classification and rate against the official database, and remember that super is an extra payment on top.

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