Dietitian Salary Australia: Award Rates, Super, and Tax in 2026
Find out what a dietitian salary Australia looks like under the Health Professionals Award, including minimum weekly rates, superannuation, and tax estimates for 2026.
A dietitian salary Australia is typically set by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award, with minimum weekly rates from $1,232.70 for entry-level (index 59) to over $1,900 for senior roles (index 90+).
What is a dietitian salary Australia in 2026?
If you are researching a dietitian salary Australia, the most reliable public source is the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027), published by the Fair Work Ombudsman. This award sets minimum weekly and hourly rates for dietitians and other health professionals. The rates shown below took effect from 1 July 2026 after the Annual Wage Review increased award minima by 4.75%.
Award coverage for dietitians
Dietitians are classified as Health Professional employees under the award. The classification depends on your qualifications and years of experience. For example, a dietitian with an AQF Level 5 qualification (such as an Advanced Diploma) starts at Level 1 with a minimum weekly rate of $1,232.70. After seven years in that level, the rate rises to $1,541.30 per week. Dietitians with a bachelor degree or higher may be classified at Level 2 or above, with rates reaching $1,945.40 per week for Level 2.1.
Minimum weekly rates and the Salary Index
The Salary Index compares gross annual pay to the national line of $108,352 (full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, May 2026). An index of 100 means you earn exactly the national average. Here is how the award minima stack up:
- Entry-level dietitian (Level 1, AQF5 1st year): $1,232.70/week, annualised $64,100, index 59.2.
- Experienced dietitian (Level 1, AQF5 7th year+): $1,541.30/week, annualised $80,148, index 74.0.
- Senior dietitian (Level 2.1): $1,945.40/week, annualised $101,161, index 93.4.
These figures are gross and do not include superannuation. The award also specifies higher rates for Level 3 and above, which may apply to managers or specialists.
Superannuation on a dietitian salary
From 1 July 2026, the superannuation guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. For a dietitian on $80,148 per year, the employer must contribute an extra $9,618 into super. This is on top of the gross salary and is not included in the index calculation (which uses gross ordinary-time earnings). The super guarantee is capped at a maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year, but most dietitian salaries fall well below that.
Tax and take-home pay
Using the 2026–27 resident tax rates (excluding Medicare), here are estimated take-home amounts for typical dietitian salaries:
- $64,100 gross: Tax $9,750, Medicare $1,282, take-home $53,068.
- $80,148 gross: Tax $15,967, Medicare $1,603, take-home $62,578.
- $101,161 gross: Tax $22,567, Medicare $2,023, take-home $76,571.
These estimates assume you claim the tax-free threshold and have no other deductions or offsets. The Medicare levy is a flat 2% of taxable income. If you have private hospital insurance, you may avoid the Medicare levy surcharge, which applies to singles earning over $93,000.
Part-time work and gender balance
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, 51% of dietitians work part-time, and 95% are female. The median age is 34. Part-time employees receive the same hourly rate as full-time workers under the award, but their weekly pay is pro-rata. Casual dietitians get a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate.
Where dietitians work
Most dietitians are employed in Health Care and Social Assistance. The industries page shows that this sector has an average index of 97.8, slightly below the national line. However, dietitians in public hospitals or private practice may earn above the award minimum. The award rates are a floor, not a ceiling.
State comparisons
Your take-home pay also depends on where you live. The states page shows that the ACT has the highest index (109.9) and Tasmania the lowest (88.6). A dietitian on the same award rate in Canberra will have the same gross pay as one in Hobart, but the cost of living and local job market may differ.
How to use this information
When negotiating a dietitian salary, start with the award classification that matches your qualifications. Then consider experience, location, and any additional allowances. The pay guides section has more detail on award interpretation. Remember that the Salary Index is a benchmark for gross ordinary-time earnings, not a quote for your specific job.
Summary
A dietitian salary Australia under the Health Professionals Award ranges from about $64,100 to over $101,000 per year, before super and tax. The index for these minima sits between 59 and 93, meaning most dietitians earn below the national average of $108,352. However, with 12% super and careful tax planning, the total compensation package can be competitive. For the most accurate figure, check your award classification and any enterprise agreements that may apply.
Questions people ask
What is the average dietitian salary in Australia?
The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish median weekly earnings for dietitians (ANZSCO 251111) because the sample size is too small. However, the minimum salary under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 ranges from about $64,100 per year for an entry-level dietitian (Level 1, AQF5 1st year) to over $101,000 for a senior Level 2.1 classification. Actual salaries may be higher in private practice or public hospitals.
How much superannuation do dietitians receive?
From 1 July 2026, the superannuation guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. For a dietitian earning the award minimum of $64,100, that adds $7,692 in super contributions per year. The employer must pay this into a complying super fund, and it is in addition to the gross salary shown on your pay slip.
What is the tax on a dietitian salary in Australia?
Using 2026–27 tax rates (excluding Medicare levy), a dietitian earning $80,000 per year would pay about $15,967 in income tax plus $1,600 Medicare levy (2%), leaving a take-home of about $62,433. For a senior dietitian on $101,000, tax would be approximately $22,567 plus $2,020 Medicare, take-home around $76,413. These estimates assume the tax-free threshold and no other deductions.