What changes in the Health Professionals Award on 1 October 2026?

From the first full pay period on or after 1 October 2026, the HPSS Award's health professional classifications are restructured (determination PR810342): Level 1 pays by your profession's AQF qualification stream (5-9) and years of experience, with Levels 2.1, 2.2, 3 and 4 for senior and appointed roles. It's stage one of five roughly equal pay rises, with further steps on 30 June 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.

How much more will psychologists earn under the new HPSS structure?

The Commission's April 2025 provisional views put the total increase for masters-entry (AQF 9) professions like psychology at 18.77-31.16% across the full phase-in. Stage 1 (October 2026) delivers roughly one-fifth: for example, a first-year psychologist's minimum is $1,379.40/week as made, before the 2026 Annual Wage Review is folded in.

Can my pay go down when the new classification starts?

No. Schedule J of the determination translates every existing employee to the new structure with pay protection — anyone classified on 30 September 2026 retains their existing rate where it's higher, and existing Level 3/4 employees are deemed appointed.

Are receptionists, practice managers and dental assistants included?

Not in the October 2026 change. Support services classifications (reception, admin, practice managers) are unchanged by this stage, and dental assistants and pathology collectors are on their own track — reclassified 1 April 2026 with full translation on 1 January 2027.

HPSS Award New Classification Calculator (October 2026)

Find your new Health Professionals Award classification and minimum rate under the 1 October 2026 restructure — AQF stream, experience level and the five-stage pay rise.

Last verified: 14 August 2026

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HPSS Award New Classification Calculator (October 2026)

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