What is the minimum wage for a physiotherapist in Australia?

If you are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, your minimum hourly rate depends on your qualification level and experience. For a Level 1 employee with an AQF 7 degree (typical for physiotherapists), the rate is $34.44 per hour in the first year, rising to $44.46 per hour after seven years. If you are award‑free, the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour applies, but most physiotherapists are covered by the award.

How does superannuation affect my physio salary?

Superannuation is paid by your employer on top of your ordinary time earnings. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary time earnings. For example, if your award minimum weekly pay is $1,308.80 (Level 1, AQF 7, 1st year), your employer must also contribute about $157.06 per week to your super fund. Super is not part of your take‑home pay but is an additional benefit.

Is the median physio salary higher than the award rate?

Yes. The ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025) reports a median full‑time weekly earnings of $1,888 for physiotherapists, which is above the award minimum for most classification levels. The median hourly rate is $50. This reflects that many physiotherapists are paid above the award due to experience, enterprise agreements, or private practice arrangements. However, the award rate is the legal floor you must receive as a minimum.

Physio Salary Australia: Award Rates, Median Pay, and Your Legal Minimum

The legal minimum for a physiotherapist covered by the Health Professionals Award is at least $34.44 per hour (Level 1, AQF 7, 1st year), while the ABS reports a median full-time weekly earnings of $1,888.

Physio Salary Australia: What You Need to Know

When searching for "physio salary Australia", you will encounter several different figures: the legal minimum under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, the national minimum wage for award‑free workers, and survey averages from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Each serves a different purpose. This guide explains how to separate the floor from the average, and what the weekly packet looks like after tax and super.

The Legal Minimum Under the Award

Most physiotherapists in Australia are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, which sets minimum pay rates based on your qualification level (AQF) and years of experience. For a physiotherapist with a bachelor’s degree (AQF Level 7), the minimum hourly rates from 1 October 2026 are:

1st year: $34.44 per hour ($1,308.80 per week)
2nd–3rd year: $37.08 per hour ($1,409.00 per week)
4th–6th year: $41.19 per hour ($1,565.30 per week)
7th year and over: $44.46 per hour ($1,689.50 per week)

These rates are set by the Fair Work Commission and enforced by the Fair Work Ombudsman. If you are covered by an enterprise agreement, your pay may be higher than the award rate, but it cannot be lower. For award‑free employees (rare in this profession), the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour applies.

The National Minimum Wage Backstop

Even if you are not covered by the award, the Fair Work Commission’s national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week for a 38‑hour week) is the absolute floor. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, bringing the casual rate to $33.05 per hour. Juniors, apprentices, and trainees may be paid a percentage of the adult rate. For more details, see our Rate tables.

Survey Averages: What the ABS Says

The ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025) provides a useful benchmark. For physiotherapists (occupation code 2525), the median full‑time weekly earnings are $1,888, and the median hourly earnings are $50. About 72% of physiotherapists work full‑time, averaging 41 hours per week. These figures are for non‑managerial adult employees and exclude part‑time and casual workers. They are a guide, not a legal requirement. Your actual salary may be higher or lower depending on your employer, location, and experience.

The Weekly Packet: Tax, Medicare, and Super

Your advertised salary is not the same as your take‑home pay. Here is how the numbers stack up for a physiotherapist earning the award minimum for a Level 1, AQF 7, 1st year:

Weekly ordinary earnings: $1,308.80
Super guarantee (12% on top): $157.06 per week (paid into your super fund, not to you)
Gross annual salary: $68,057.60 (52 weeks)
Estimated tax (2026‑27 rates, including Medicare levy of 2%): approximately $11,200 per year, leaving about $56,857 net
Weekly take‑home pay: roughly $1,093

If you earn the median $1,888 per week ($98,176 annually), your take‑home after tax and Medicare would be around $1,400 per week, plus super contributions of about $226 per week. These are estimates; your actual tax depends on your total income, offsets, and deductions. See our How the figures work page for more detail.

Award vs. Negotiated Salary

A physio salary in Australia can vary widely. A new graduate in a public hospital will likely start at the award rate. A physiotherapist in private practice or with several years of experience may negotiate a salary well above the award. Enterprise agreements in public health often provide higher pay and allowances. The award is the floor, not the ceiling. Always check your employment contract and any applicable agreement.

Key Takeaways

The legal minimum for a physiotherapist covered by the Health Professionals Award is $34.44 per hour (Level 1, AQF 7, 1st year).
The national minimum wage ($26.44/h) applies only if you are award‑free.
The ABS median full‑time weekly earnings are $1,888, well above the award minimum.
Super (12%) is paid on top of your ordinary time earnings.
Tax and Medicare reduce your gross pay; use the ATO’s tax tables for precise calculations.

For a full list of award rates, visit our Rate tables. For methodology, see How the figures work.