Forensic Psychologist Salary in Australia: Pay Floors and Award Rates

Forensic Psychologist Salary in Australia: Which Pay Floor Applies

When searching for a forensic psychologist salary in Australia, it is important to understand that the legal pay floor is not a single figure. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week, but most forensic psychologists are covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement that sets much higher rates. The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum, while the Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces it. Do not assume every worker must receive $26.44; juniors, apprentices, trainees, introductory award rates, and supported wages can be lower. For a forensic psychologist, the applicable award depends on the employer.

Legal Minimum: National Minimum Wage and Award-Free Floor

For an award-free employee (rare for psychologists), the adult national minimum from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual rate $33.05 per hour. However, a forensic psychologist is almost always covered by a state or federal award. The Health and Community Employees Psychologists (State) Award 2025 (NSW Health) or the Crown Employees (Psychologists) Award (NSW) for those in correctional settings. These awards have their own classification rates. For example, under the NSW Health Award, from 1 July 2026, a Psychologist at the 9th year of service and thereafter is $122,465 annually (about $2,355.10 per week). That is well above the national minimum. The award rate is the legal minimum for that classification.

Award Rates for Forensic Psychologists

The Health and Community Employees Psychologists (State) Award 2025 covers psychologists employed by NSW Health. It includes Psychologist, Senior, Clinical, Senior Clinical, and Principal Clinical classifications. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, rates increase by 4%. A Psychologist in their 9th year earns $122,465 annually. A Senior Clinical Psychologist in their 3rd year and thereafter earns $159,112 annually. The Crown Employees (Psychologists) Award covers psychologists in the Department of Communities and Justice, including those in correctional centres. That award includes Specialist Psychologist and an environmental allowance for direct contact with offenders. Its rates from 2021 are outdated; current rates would be higher due to annual wage reviews. For the most up-to-date figures, refer to the Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database or the specific award.

Enterprise Agreements and Negotiated Salaries

Some forensic psychologists work under enterprise agreements, which can set rates above the award. For example, a federal government psychologist may have a different salary schedule. Always check your employment contract. The award or agreement rate is the minimum; you can negotiate higher. Superannuation is paid on top: from 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. So a $122,465 salary would attract about $14,696 in super, making total remuneration $137,161.

How the Figures Work

This site uses the Fair Work Commission's national minimum and award data. The adult weekly national minimum is the published $1,004.90 figure. Multiplying $26.44 by 38 lands 18 cents lower because of rounding in the order. Casual weekly figures on this site are the published casual hourly rate times 38 ordinary hours, with no penalty rates. For award rates, we use the annual rate divided by 52 to get weekly. For example, $122,465 / 52 = $2,355.10 per week. That is about $62.05 per hour (assuming 38 ordinary hours). These are base rates before super.

Related Guides

• Which minimum wage applies explains which system covers you.
• Rate tables shows national minimum and award rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What award covers forensic psychologists in Australia?

There is no single 'forensic psychologist award. Many forensic psychologists are covered by state awards such as the Health and Community Employees Psychologists (State) Award 2025 (NSW Health) or the Crown Employees (Psychologists) Award (NSW). Those in private practice or federal roles may be covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 or an enterprise agreement. Check your employment contract and the applicable award.

How does the national minimum compare with award rates for forensic psychologists?

The national minimum from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week). Award rates are significantly higher. For example, a Psychologist at the 9th year under the NSW Health Award earns $122,122,465 annually (about $62.05 per hour), while a Senior Clinical Psychologist earns $159,112 annually. The award rate is the legal minimum for that classification; the national minimum only applies if no award covers the employee.

Is superannuation included in the forensic psychologist salary figures?

No. Salary figures quoted in awards and the national minimum are base rates. The superannuation guarantee requires employers to pay an additional 12% on top of ordinary time earnings (from 1 July 2026). For example, a $122,465 salary would attract about $14,696 in super. Always consider total remuneration as base plus super.

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