Rehab Consultant Salary: Minimum Pay and Award Rates in Australia

The legal minimum for a rehab consultant is either the national minimum wage ($26.44/h from 1 July 2026) or a higher modern award rate, depending on the award coverage.

Rehab Consultant Salary: Understanding the Minimum Pay Floor

When searching for a "rehab consultant salary" in Australia, it is important to distinguish between the legal minimum and typical market rates. This guide focuses on the minimum pay floor set by law, using the most recent public figures from the Fair Work Commission and the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Legal Minimum vs. Award Rates vs. Negotiated Salaries

The legal minimum for any employee is the national minimum wage, which from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour (or $1,004.90 per week for a 38‑hour week). However, most rehabilitation consultants are covered by a modern award, which sets a higher minimum rate. The relevant award is likely the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, which includes classifications for health professional employees. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database shows that the 2026 data for this award includes updated minimum rates effective from 1 October 2026, following the Annual Wage Review 2026 and a gender‑based undervaluation review. Which minimum wage applies explains how to determine your coverage.

Award rates are not a single figure; they vary by classification level and experience. For example, a Grade 1 health professional may have a lower rate than a Grade 4. The database provides spreadsheets with classification rates, wage‑related allowances, and penalty rates. If an enterprise agreement applies, it can set rates higher than the award. Negotiated salaries above the award are common, but the award remains the enforceable minimum.

Superannuation Is Paid on Top

When discussing any salary figure, remember that the superannuation guarantee (12% from 1 July 2026) is an employer payment on top of the base rate. If a rehab consultant earns $30 per hour, the employer must also contribute $3.60 to super. This is not deducted from the advertised wage.

What the Data Shows

The Australian Bureau of Statistics classifies rehabilitation consultants under occupation code 222331 (Occupational Rehabilitation Consultant). The ABS does not publish median earnings for this 6‑digit occupation. Jobs and Skills Australia reports that for the broader group of Rehabilitation Counsellors (ANZSCO 272114), median weekly earnings are not available due to sample size. Therefore, no reliable survey average can be cited here. The only authoritative figures are the legal minimums.

Casual Loading and Junior Rates

If a rehab consultant is employed as a casual, they are entitled to a casual loading of 25% on top of the minimum hourly rate. For award‑free casuals, the rate from 1 July 2026 is $33.05 per hour. Junior employees (under 21) may be paid a percentage of the adult rate, as set out in the award or, if award‑free, the national minimum wage percentages. For example, a 20‑year‑old award‑free junior receives 97.7% of the adult rate, or $25.84 per hour.

How to Check Your Rate

To find the exact minimum for your role:

Identify the correct modern award (likely the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020).
Use the Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database to find the classification rate.
Check if an enterprise agreement applies – it may provide a higher rate.
If no award or agreement covers you, the national minimum wage applies.

Rate tables on this site show the national minimum and junior percentages. Guides provide step‑by‑step instructions for using the Fair Work tools.

Important Caveats

The national minimum wage is a backstop. Modern award rates are generally higher.
Apprentices and trainees have separate minimum rates under the Miscellaneous Award.
State system employees (e.g., some WA state public sector) may be covered by state awards.
The figures here are for orientation only and do not constitute legal or tax advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum wage for a rehab consultant in Australia? The minimum wage depends on whether a modern award covers the role. Most rehabilitation consultants are likely covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, which sets minimum rates higher than the national minimum. From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week). If no award applies, the national minimum is the floor. Always check the applicable award or enterprise agreement.

Does a rehab consultant get superannuation on top of their salary? Yes. Employers must pay the superannuation guarantee, currently 12% of ordinary time earnings, on top of the base salary. This is not deducted from the advertised wage. For example, if the base rate is $26.44 per hour, the employer pays an additional 12% into the employee's super fund.

Where can I find the exact award rate for a rehabilitation consultant? The Fair Work Commission publishes the Modern Awards Pay Database, which includes classification rates for awards like the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. You can also use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool. If an enterprise agreement applies, its rates override the award. For award‑free employees, the national minimum wage applies.