Occupational Therapy Salary: Award Minimums and Pay Floors in Australia

Occupational Therapy Salary: Understanding the Pay Floor

When researching an occupational therapy salary in Australia, it is important to separate the legal minimum from survey averages, award rates, and negotiated salaries. This guide focuses on the minimum pay floor set by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, which covers most employed occupational therapists. The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage, while the Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces award obligations.

Award Coverage for Occupational Therapists

Occupational therapists are classified as Health Professional employees under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. The award applies to employers in the health industry and covers employees performing health professional work, including occupational therapy. If you are employed as an occupational therapist and your employer is not covered by an enterprise agreement or another modern award, this award sets your minimum pay and conditions. The award provides minimum rates based on the employee’s Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level and years of experience in the profession.

Minimum Rates Under the Award

The award includes several classification levels. For a Level 1 occupational therapist, the minimum hourly rate depends on the AQF level of their qualification and their experience. For example:

• AQF Level 5 (e.g., diploma) – 1st year: $32.44 per hour
• AQF Level 5 – 2nd to 3rd year: $34.44 per hour
• AQF Level 5 – 4th to 6th year: $37.53 per hour
• AQF Level 5 – 7th year and above: $40.56 per hour

Higher AQF levels attract higher rates. For instance, an occupational therapist with a bachelor’s degree (AQF Level 7) or a master’s degree (AQF Level 9) will be classified at a higher level. The award also provides rates for Level 2 and Level 3 health professional employees, which are for more senior or specialised roles. The highest minimum rate in the award is for Level 9, 7th year and above at $46.18 per hour.

These rates are the legal minimum. An enterprise agreement or individual contract can require a higher rate. The award also includes provisions for juniors, apprentices, and supported wages, but these are less common for qualified occupational therapists.

Comparison with the National Minimum Wage

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a full-time employee working 38 ordinary hours. This is the absolute minimum for award-free employees. However, because occupational therapists are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award, their minimum is the award rate, which is higher. For example, even a new graduate occupational therapist at Level 1, 1st year earns $32.44 per hour, which is $5.99 above the national minimum. The award backstop ensures that no ongoing classification falls below the national minimum, but the award rates are already above that.

Superannuation on Top

When discussing an occupational therapy salary, remember that superannuation is an employer payment on top of the base rate. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. So for an occupational therapist earning the award minimum of $32.44 per hour, the employer must also contribute $3.89 per hour into a super fund. This is not deducted from the employee’s pay; it is an additional cost to the employer.

What About Survey Averages?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes average weekly earnings for full-time adult employees, but does not provide occupation-specific data for occupational therapists. The ABS May 2026 figure for all full-time adult ordinary-time earnings is $2,083.70 per week, but this includes all occupations and is not a reliable guide for occupational therapy salaries. Some industry surveys may report higher figures, but those are not legal minimums. The award rate is the only enforceable floor.

Enterprise Agreements and Individual Contracts

Many public health systems and private hospitals have enterprise agreements that set higher pay for occupational therapists. For example, a state health department agreement might offer above-award rates, additional allowances, or better penalty rates. If you are covered by such an agreement, the agreement rate applies instead of the award. Similarly, an individual contract can offer more than the award, but cannot undercut it. Always check your employment contract and the applicable award or agreement.

How to Use This Information

If you are an occupational therapist or an employer, start by determining which award or agreement applies. Use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool to calculate exact rates based on your classification and experience. For award-free employees, the national minimum wage applies, but that is rare for occupational therapists. Remember that the rates in this guide are minimums; actual salaries may be higher due to market conditions, location, or experience.

For more on how minimum wages work in Australia, see our guide Which minimum wage applies and our Rate tables for detailed breakdowns.

Summary

The occupational therapy salary floor in Australia is set by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. A new graduate can expect a minimum of $32.44 per hour, with higher rates for experience and qualifications. Superannuation of 12% is paid on top. The national minimum wage is a backstop but rarely applies. Always verify your classification and check for any applicable enterprise agreement.

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