What is the minimum wage for a perfusionist in Australia?

There is no specific classification for ‘perfusionist’ in the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. Instead, perfusionists are covered as Health Professional employees. The minimum rate depends on the employee’s AQF level and years of experience. For example, a perfusionist with a bachelor’s degree (AQF Level 7) and in their first year earns at least $34.44 per hour (Level 1, 1st year). More experienced perfusionists at Level 2.1 start at $51.19 per hour. These rates are higher than the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour.

How does the perfusionist salary compare to the national minimum wage?

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour for adult award-free employees. However, almost all perfusionists are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, which sets higher minimum rates. For example, the lowest Health Professional rate (Level 1, AQF Level 5, 1st year) is $32.44 per hour. So a perfusionist’s minimum is always above the national minimum. The award rate is the legal floor; employers can pay more.

Does the perfusionist salary include superannuation?

No. The minimum rates shown in the award are base wages. Employers must also pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings (from 1 July 2026). For example, if a perfusionist earns $51.19 per hour, the employer pays an additional $6.14 per hour into a super fund. The employee’s total remuneration package is the wage plus super.

Perfusionist salary: award minimum rates for health professionals

The minimum pay for a perfusionist covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 is at least $51.19 per hour (Level 2.1), but the exact classification depends on qualifications and experience.

Understanding the perfusionist salary in Australia

When researching a perfusionist salary in Australia, the first thing to know is that there is no single classification called ‘perfusionist’ in the main industrial instrument. Instead, perfusionists are covered as Health Professional employees under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 . This award sets minimum rates of pay, allowances, penalty rates, and other conditions for health professionals including perfusionists.

Award coverage for perfusionists

The Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 applies to employers in the health industry and their employees in classifications listed in Schedule A. Perfusionists typically work in hospitals or cardiac units and are classified according to their qualifications and experience. The award uses the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) to determine the appropriate level. Most perfusionists hold a bachelor’s degree (AQF Level 7) or higher, and may progress through Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, or Level 4 as they gain experience.

Minimum rates under the Health Professionals Award

The award provides detailed minimum weekly and hourly rates for each classification. For example, a Health Professional employee at Level 1 with an AQF Level 7 qualification earns:

1st year: $34.44 per hour
2nd–3rd year: $37.08 per hour
4th–6th year: $41.19 per hour
7th year+: $44.46 per hour

At Level 2, the rates are higher:

Level 2.1: $51.19 per hour
Level 2.2: $52.19 per hour
Level 3: $52.19 per hour
Level 4: $65.77 per hour

These rates are from the Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database and are effective from 1 October 2026. The exact classification for a perfusionist depends on their AQF level and years of experience. If you are unsure where you fit, the Fair Work Ombudsman’s P.A.C.T. tool can help calculate your minimum pay including allowances and penalties.

National minimum wage vs award rates

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage each year. 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). However, this is a backstop for award-free employees. Most perfusionists are covered by the award, so their minimum is the award rate, which is significantly higher. The award also includes an introductory rate for the first six months of employment, but that cannot fall below $25.74 per hour. For juniors, apprentices, and supported wage employees, lower percentages apply.

Superannuation and tax considerations

All minimum rates discussed are base wages. Employers must also pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings (from 1 July 2026). For a perfusionist earning $51.19 per hour, the employer adds $6.14 per hour to super. This means the total cost to the employer is higher than the hourly rate. When comparing a perfusionist salary to other roles, remember that super is an additional payment, not part of the wage.

Tax is also a factor. Using the 2026-27 tax rates with the full tax-free threshold and Medicare levy (estimated at 2% once annual income exceeds $30,000), a perfusionist earning $51.19 per hour full-time would have a gross annual income of about $101,000. After tax and Medicare, the take-home pay would be roughly $75,000–$78,000 depending on offsets. This is an estimate only; individual circumstances vary.

How to find your exact rate

Because the award classification depends on qualifications and experience, the best way to determine your minimum rate is to check the award directly or use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s P.A.C.T. tool. You can also refer to the Rate tables on this site for a summary of award rates. If you are covered by an enterprise agreement, that agreement may set a higher rate than the award. The award is the legal minimum; your employer can always pay more.

For more background on how minimum wages are set and how to interpret the figures, see How the figures work.

Final note

This information is for guidance only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage and modern award rates. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides free advice and enforcement. If you are unsure about your classification or pay, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman or a workplace relations professional.