What is the minimum wage for a radiographer?

Radiographers are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. The minimum weekly rate depends on the employee's AQF level and years of experience. For a Level 7 (bachelor degree) radiographer, the minimum ranges from $1,308.80 (1st year) to $1,689.50 (7th year+). These rates are higher than the national minimum wage of $1,004.90 per week.

How does the radiography salary compare to the national minimum?

The median radiography salary of $2,360 per week is more than double the national minimum wage of $1,004.90 per week. Even the lowest award rate for a radiographer ($1,308.80) is well above the national minimum. The national minimum only applies if no award or agreement covers the employee.

Do radiographers get casual loading?

Yes. Under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the ordinary hourly rate. For example, a Level 7 1st-year radiographer on $34.44 per hour would receive $43.05 per hour as a casual. This loading compensates for the lack of paid leave.

Radiography Salary Guide 2026: Minimum Award Rates vs Median Pay

The legal minimum for a radiographer under the Health Professionals Award ranges from $1,308.80 to $1,689.50 per week depending on experience, while the median radiography salary is $2,360 per week.

Radiography Salary: Understanding the Pay Floor

When researching a radiography salary in Australia, it is important to separate the legal minimum from survey averages and negotiated rates. This guide explains the award rates that set the floor for radiographers (medical diagnostic radiographers) and how they compare with the median earnings reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Which Award Covers Radiographers?

Radiographers are classified under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027), which is set by the Fair Work Commission. This award covers employees in the health industry who work as health professionals, including medical imaging professionals. The award provides minimum rates based on the employee's Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level and years of experience in the profession.

For a radiographer with a bachelor degree (AQF Level 7), the minimum weekly rates from 1 October 2026 are:

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

These rates are the legal minimum that an employer must pay a full-time radiographer covered by this award. Part-time and casual employees receive the same hourly rate, with casuals getting a 25% loading on top.

The National Minimum Wage as a Backstop

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week). However, this rate only applies to employees who are not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement. Since radiographers are covered by the Health Professionals Award, their minimum is the award rate, which is significantly higher. The national minimum acts as a safety net: no award rate can fall below it.

Median Radiography Salary vs Award Minimum

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025), the median full-time weekly earnings for Medical Imaging Professionals (which includes radiographers) is $2,360 per week. That equates to about $60 per hour based on a 38-hour week. This figure is before tax and does not include superannuation.

The median is much higher than the award minimum because it reflects experienced professionals, those in senior roles, and those covered by enterprise agreements that pay above the award. The award minimum is the floor, not the typical rate.

Superannuation Is Paid on Top

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. For a radiographer earning the award minimum of $1,308.80 per week, the employer adds $157.06 per week in super. For someone earning the median of $2,360 per week, the super contribution is $283.20 per week. Super is not included in the hourly or weekly rates quoted above.

Casual Loading and Penalty Rates

Casual radiographers receive a 25% loading on the ordinary hourly rate. For a Level 7 1st-year radiographer, the casual rate is $43.05 per hour. Casual employees do not receive paid leave but the loading compensates for that.

The award also provides penalty rates for work on weekends, public holidays, and late nights. For example, Saturday work attracts a 25% loading, Sunday 50%, and public holidays 150%. These are paid on top of the base rate.

How Enterprise Agreements Can Affect Pay

Some hospitals and imaging centres have enterprise agreements that set higher rates than the award. If an agreement applies, the employer must pay at least the agreement rate, which is usually above the award. Always check if your workplace has an enterprise agreement, as it can significantly increase your radiography salary.

Award-Free Employees and Junior Rates

If a radiographer is not covered by any award or agreement (rare in this profession), the national minimum wage applies. Junior rates for award-free employees are based on age percentages of the adult rate, but radiographers are typically adults with qualifications, so junior rates are not common.

For more details on which pay floor applies to you, see our Which minimum wage applies guide. You can also browse Rate tables for award-specific minimums.

Summary

The legal minimum radiography salary under the Health Professionals Award ranges from $1,308.80 to $1,689.50 per week depending on experience. The median radiography salary is $2,360 per week, reflecting higher pay for experienced professionals and those under enterprise agreements. Superannuation of 12% is paid on top. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, and penalty rates apply for unsocial hours.

For further reading, see our Guides on award coverage and How the figures work for methodology details.