Health Professionals Award Pay Rates 2026-27
All pay rates under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027) for 2026-27, including base rates, casual rates, penalty rates, and break rules.
Health Professionals Award
MA000027 · Health
Common roles: Physiotherapist, Occupational therapist, Radiographer, Dietitian, Speech pathologist
$32.44
Base rate/hr
$40.55
Casual rate/hr
Know someone covered by the Health Professionals Award?
Classification Pay Rates — Health Professionals Award
| Level | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (AQF 5, 1st year) | $32.44 | $40.55 | $1,232.72 | $64,101.44 |
| Level 2.1 | $51.19 | $63.99 | $1,945.22 | $101,151.44 |
| Level 3 | $52.19 | $65.24 | $1,983.22 | $103,127.44 |
| Level 4 | $65.77 | $82.21 | $2,499.26 | $129,961.52 |
| SS Level 1 | $26.97 | $33.71 | $1,024.86 | $53,292.72 |
| SS Level 2 | $28.03 | $35.04 | $1,065.14 | $55,387.28 |
| SS Level 3 | $29.11 | $36.39 | $1,106.18 | $57,521.36 |
Health professionals — new classification rates from 1 October 2026
From the first full pay period starting on or after 1 October 2026, Health Professional Level 1 is paid by the AQF level of your profession's standard minimum qualification (Schedule B — e.g. AQF 7 for physiotherapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists and podiatrists; AQF 8 for sonographers; AQF 9 for psychologists and audiologists) and your years of experience in the profession. Level 2.1/2.2, 3 and 4 are role-based. Anyone classified as a health professional on 30 September 2026 was translated to the new structure (cl J.4.1–J.4.2) and keeps their old minimum rate if it was higher (cl J.4.3). This is stage 1 of 5: further increases are scheduled from 30 June 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
| Level | Classification | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Weekly (38hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AQF 5 — 1st year | Level 1, AQF Level 5 (e.g. medical laboratory technician, remedial masseur) | $32.44 | $40.55 | $1,232.72 |
| AQF 5 — 2nd–3rd year | Level 1, AQF Level 5 | $34.44 | $43.05 | $1,308.72 |
| AQF 5 — 4th–6th year | Level 1, AQF Level 5 | $37.53 | $46.91 | $1,426.14 |
| AQF 5 — 7th year+ | Level 1, AQF Level 5 | $40.56 | $50.70 | $1,541.28 |
| AQF 6 — 1st year | Level 1, AQF Level 6 (e.g. myotherapist) | $32.44 | $40.55 | $1,232.72 |
| AQF 6 — 2nd–3rd year | Level 1, AQF Level 6 | $34.44 | $43.05 | $1,308.72 |
| AQF 6 — 4th–6th year | Level 1, AQF Level 6 | $39.03 | $48.79 | $1,483.14 |
| AQF 6 — 7th year+ | Level 1, AQF Level 6 | $43.67 | $54.59 | $1,659.46 |
| AQF 7 — 1st year | Level 1, AQF Level 7 (e.g. physiotherapist, occupational therapist, pharmacist, medical scientist) | $34.44 | $43.05 | $1,308.72 |
| AQF 7 — 2nd–3rd year | Level 1, AQF Level 7 | $37.08 | $46.35 | $1,409.04 |
| AQF 7 — 4th–6th year | Level 1, AQF Level 7 | $41.19 | $51.49 | $1,565.22 |
| AQF 7 — 7th year+ | Level 1, AQF Level 7 | $44.46 | $55.58 | $1,689.48 |
| AQF 8 — 1st year | Level 1, AQF Level 8 (e.g. sonographer, medical librarian) | $35.19 | $43.99 | $1,337.22 |
| AQF 8 — 2nd–3rd year | Level 1, AQF Level 8 | $38.02 | $47.53 | $1,444.76 |
| AQF 8 — 4th–6th year | Level 1, AQF Level 8 | $41.71 | $52.14 | $1,584.98 |
| AQF 8 — 7th year+ | Level 1, AQF Level 8 | $45.30 | $56.63 | $1,721.40 |
| AQF 9 — 1st year | Level 1, AQF Level 9 (e.g. psychologist, audiologist, chiropractor, osteopath) | $38.02 | $47.53 | $1,444.76 |
| AQF 9 — 2nd–3rd year | Level 1, AQF Level 9 | $40.66 | $50.82 | $1,545.08 |
| AQF 9 — 4th–6th year | Level 1, AQF Level 9 | $43.67 | $54.59 | $1,659.46 |
| AQF 9 — 7th year+ | Level 1, AQF Level 9 | $46.18 | $57.73 | $1,754.84 |
| Level 2.1 | Senior Clinician, Specialist, Supervisor or Educator — under 5 years in the role | $51.19 | $63.99 | $1,945.22 |
| Level 2.2 | Senior Clinician, Specialist, Supervisor or Educator — 5+ years in the role | $52.19 | $65.24 | $1,983.22 |
| Level 3 | Advanced Clinician, Senior Specialist or Section Manager (appointed) | $52.19 | $65.24 | $1,983.22 |
| Level 4 | Manager (appointed) | $65.77 | $82.21 | $2,499.26 |
Penalty Rates — Health Professionals Award
$48.66/hr
$48.66/hr
$81.10/hr
$36.50/hr
$37.31/hr
$48.66/hr
$64.88/hr
Break Rules — Health Professionals Award
| Shift Length | Meal Break | Rest Break | Paid? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 5 hours | None | None | No |
| 5–7.6 hours | 30 min | None | No |
| 7.6–10 hours | 30 min | 10 min | Yes |
| 10+ hours | 60 min | 20 min | Yes |
Calculate Your Exact Rate
Select your classification level and penalty type below.
Your details
Compare with Related Awards
| Award | Base Rate | Casual Rate | Sunday | Public Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Professionals Award | $32.44/hr | $40.55/hr | $48.66/hr | $81.10/hr |
| Hospitality Award | $26.44/hr | $33.05/hr | $39.66/hr | $59.49/hr |
| Retail Award | $27.81/hr | $34.76/hr | $41.71/hr | $62.57/hr |
| Clerks Award | $26.97/hr | $33.71/hr | $53.94/hr | $67.43/hr |
| Building Award | $26.67/hr | $33.34/hr | $53.34/hr | $66.68/hr |
More on the Health Professionals Award
Health Professionals Award (MA000027) overview
Coverage, penalty rates, casual overtime method and break rules.
Search enterprise agreements
An enterprise agreement replaces the award where one covers your workplace. Search by employer.
Enterprise agreements in health
- St Giles Allied Health Enterprise Agreement 2026
- North West Support Services Inc. Enterprise Agreement 2023
- Application for approval of the Karuna Hospice Services Nurses Enterprise Agreement 2026
- Housing for the Aged Action Group Inc. Agreement 2026
- The Mary Ogilvy Homes Society Nursing & General Staff Agreement 2026
- Nurses (Mercy Palliative Care Ltd) Enterprise Agreement 2024-2028
Employer pay guides under the Health Professionals Award
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Health Professionals Award pay rate for 2026-27?
Under the Health Professionals Award (MA000027), the Level 1 (AQF 5, 1st year) base rate is $32.44/hr from 1 October 2026 (health professionals; support services rates are from 1 July 2026). The casual rate (including 25% loading) is $40.55/hr. Higher classification levels receive progressively higher rates.
What is the Sunday rate under the Health Professionals Award?
Permanent employees under the Health Professionals Award receive 1.5x their base rate for Sunday work. For a Level 1 employee, that's $48.66/hr on Sundays.
What is the public holiday rate under the Health Professionals Award?
Public holiday work under the Health Professionals Award is paid at 2.5x the base rate. For Level 1, that's $81.10/hr.
Who is covered by the Health Professionals Award?
The Health Professionals Award covers employees in the health industry. Common job titles include Physiotherapist, Occupational therapist, Radiographer, Dietitian, Speech pathologist, Medical scientist, Dental assistant.
FairWork Mate AI
Is the figure right for you?
The advisor reads your payslip, contract or letter against the Fair Work Commission case library and cites the decision behind every answer.
Renews monthly at A$29.99 until you cancel. By continuing you agree to our Terms.
Get pay and rights updates for your job
Free email updates when award rates, the minimum wage or workplace laws change.