What is the minimum wage for a therapist in Australia?

The minimum wage depends on the award classification. Under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award, a Level 1 health professional (e.g., physiotherapist, occupational therapist) with an AQF5 qualification in their first year must be paid at least $32.44 per hour, or $1,232.70 per week. This is higher than the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour. Superannuation of 12% is paid on top.

Do all therapists get paid the award rate?

No. The award rate is the legal minimum. Many therapists are paid more through enterprise agreements, individual contracts, or market conditions. The Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guide lists the minimums, but actual salaries can be higher. The ABS reports that full-time adult average weekly earnings across all occupations are $2,083.70, but therapist-specific averages are not published here.

Therapist Salary in Australia: Award Minimums vs Market Rates

Q: How does the therapist award rate compare to the national minimum wage?

The national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026). The lowest therapist award rate (Level 1, AQF5, 1st year) is $32.44 per hour – about 23% higher. Even support services roles (e.g., therapy assistants) start at $26.97 per hour, which is above the national minimum. The award sets a higher floor because of the skill and qualification requirements.

The minimum award rate for a Level 1 health professional (e.g., new-grad physiotherapist) is $32.44 per hour, well above the national minimum of $26.44, but actual therapist salaries are often higher.

Which pay floor applies to a therapist salary?

When you search for a therapist salary in Australia, you are likely looking at roles such as physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech pathologist, or psychologist. The legal minimum pay for these roles is set by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027), which covers employers in the health industry and their employees in the classifications listed in Schedule A. This award is enforced by the Fair Work Ombudsman and applies to most private-sector therapists across Australia.

Award minimum rates for health professionals

Under the award, a health professional employee is classified by their qualification level (AQF) and years of experience. For example, a Level 1 employee with an AQF5 qualification (e.g., a bachelor degree) in their first year must be paid at least $32.44 per hour or $1,232.70 per week. This rate increases with experience: after seven years at Level 1, the minimum rises to $40.56 per hour. Higher levels (Level 2, 3, 4) apply to more senior or specialised roles, with Level 4 starting at $65.77 per hour.

These rates are the legal minimum – you cannot be paid less unless you are a junior, apprentice, or trainee under specific award provisions. The award also includes penalty rates for evening, weekend, and public holiday work, as well as allowances for things like uniforms or travel.

How does this compare to the national minimum wage?

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week). Every award-free adult employee must receive at least this amount. However, the Health Professionals Award sets higher minimums because of the skill and qualification required. Even support services roles (e.g., therapy assistants) under the same award start at $26.97 per hour, which is above the national minimum.

It is important to note that the national minimum wage can also apply if you are award-free and not covered by an award or enterprise agreement. If you are a therapist covered by the award, the award rate is your pay floor – not the lower national minimum.

What about average therapist salaries?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported in May 2026 that full-time adult adult ordinary-time weekly earnings were $2,083.70 per week for all occupations. This is an average across all industries, not a minimum. A therapist's actual salary may be higher than the award minimum due to market demand, location, or an enterprise agreement. For example, a physiotherapist with five years of experience might negotiate $45 per hour, but the award still sets the floor at $32.44 per hour.

Superannuation is on top

When discussing any pay figure, remember that the superannuation guarantee is 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. So if your award minimum is $32.44 per hour, the employer must also pay $3.89 per hour into super (12% of $32.44). This is not part of the hourly rate.

How to find your exact rate

To find the exact minimum for your specific therapist role, use the Which minimum wage applies guide or the Rate tables page on this site. The Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool can also help you calculate your pay based on your classification and hours.

Common confusions

People often mix up the **legal minimum (award rate) with a survey average or a negotiated salary. The award rate is the law; the average is what people actually earn. This site is not a determination; if you need legal advice, consult an employer association or lawyer.

FAQs

(see FAQs above)

This article is for orientation only. It is not a pay determination, tax advice, or legal advice. The figures are from the Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage; the Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces it. Do not multiply the hourly rate by 38 hours to get weekly; the published weekly figure is $1,004.90 for the national minimum. Casual rates are 25% on top of the hourly rate.

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