Lab Technician Pay Rate Australia 2026
Minimum pay rates for lab technicians under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, including base rates, casual rates, penalty rates, and classification levels.
Last verified: 1 July 2025Lab Technician Pay Rate
Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027)
Lab technicians perform diagnostic tests, prepare samples, and operate laboratory equipment in medical, pathology, and research laboratories.
$26.74
Base rate/hr
$33.43
Casual rate/hr
Hourly (Full-Time)
$26.74
Hourly (Casual)
$33.43
Weekly (38hrs)
$1,016.12
Annual (Full-Time)
$52,838.24
What Award Covers Lab Technicians?
Lab Technicians in Australia are generally covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027). This Modern Award sets out the minimum terms and conditions of employment including pay rates, hours of work, rosters, breaks, allowances, penalty rates, and overtime.
Some lab technicians may be covered by an enterprise agreement instead, which must provide conditions that are at least as favourable as the award overall (the Better Off Overall Test).
View full Health Professionals and Support Services Award pay rates →
Lab Technician Classification Levels & Pay Rates
| Level | Description | Base Rate/hr | Casual Rate/hr | Weekly (38hrs) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Support Level 4 | Lab assistant / sample processor | $25.68 | $32.10 | $975.84 | $50,743.68 |
| Support Level 5 | Lab technician | $26.74 | $33.43 | $1,016.12 | $52,838.24 |
| Level 1 | Senior lab technician / scientist | $28.54 | $35.68 | $1,084.52 | $56,395.04 |
| Level 2 | Laboratory manager / principal scientist | $31.35 | $39.19 | $1,191.30 | $61,947.60 |
Rates effective from 1 July 2025. Casual rate includes 25% loading.
Casual Lab Technician Pay Rate
Casual lab technicians receive a 25% casual loading on top of the base hourly rate, increasing the minimum from $26.74/hr to $33.43/hr.
The casual loading compensates for not receiving paid annual leave, personal leave, notice of termination, or redundancy pay. Over a full year, a casual lab technician working 38 hours per week would earn $66,057.68 (before tax and penalty rates).
From 1 July 2024, casual employees who have worked regular hours for at least 6 months can request conversion to permanent employment. Check your casual conversion eligibility →
Part-Time Lab Technician Pay Rate
Part-time lab technicians receive the same hourly rate as full-time employees ($26.74/hr) but work fewer than 38 hours per week on a regular, agreed pattern. Part-time employees receive all the same entitlements as full-time employees (annual leave, personal leave, notice, redundancy) on a pro-rata basis.
Lab Technician Penalty Rates
Penalty rates apply when lab technicians work on Saturdays, Sundays, or public holidays. Rates shown are for Level 1 permanent employees ($26.74/hr base).
Saturday
$40.11/hr
1.5x base
Sunday
$53.48/hr
2x base
Public Holiday
$66.85/hr
2.5x base
Casual employees may receive different penalty rate multipliers. Check the full award pay rates for detailed penalty rate tables.
Am I Being Underpaid as a Lab Technician?
Lab technicians working in pathology labs often work shift patterns including early mornings and weekends. Common underpayment issues include incorrect shift penalty calculations.
If you earn less than $26.74/hr as a full-time or part-time lab technician, or less than $33.43/hr as a casual, you may be underpaid. You can claim up to 6 years of back pay.
Compare with Similar Roles
| Job Title | Base Rate | Casual Rate | Annual (FT) | Award |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lab Technician | $26.74/hr | $33.43/hr | $52,838.24 | MA000027 |
| Dental Assistant | $24.73/hr | $30.91/hr | $48,866.48 | MA000027 |
| Physiotherapist | $31.35/hr | $39.19/hr | $61,947.60 | MA000027 |
| Psychologist | $33.42/hr | $41.78/hr | $66,037.92 | MA000027 |
Browse All Job Pay Rates
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a lab technician get paid per hour?
The minimum hourly rate for a lab technician in Australia is $26.74/hr for full-time/part-time employees and $33.43/hr for casuals (including 25% loading) under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. Actual rates may be higher depending on classification level, experience, and any enterprise agreement that applies.
What is the minimum wage for a lab technician?
Under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027), the minimum wage for a lab technician starts at $26.74/hr (Level 1 adult rate). This equates to $1,016.12/week or $52,838.24/year for a standard 38-hour week. The national minimum wage is $25.50/hr.
What award covers lab technicians?
Lab Technicians in Australia are generally covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027). This award sets out minimum pay rates, penalty rates, allowances, and other working conditions. Some lab technicians may be covered by an enterprise agreement instead, which must meet or exceed the award.
What is the casual rate for a lab technician?
A casual lab technician receives $33.43/hr, which includes the 25% casual loading on top of the $26.74/hr base rate. The casual loading compensates for not receiving paid leave and other permanent employment benefits.
What are the penalty rates for a lab technician?
Under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, lab technicians receive: Saturday 1.5x ($40.11/hr), Sunday 2x ($53.48/hr), and Public Holiday 2.5x ($66.85/hr) at Level 1 rates.
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General information and estimates only — not legal, financial, or tax advice. Always verify with the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified professional.
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