Midwife salary Australia: How it sits on the Australian salary index
Midwife salary Australia median weekly earnings of $2,114 gives an index of about 101.5, above the national line. Award rates rose from 1 Oct 2026 with gender undervaluation review
Midwife salary Australia: Where it sits on the Australian salary index
When you search for **midwife salary Australia, the first figure you see is usually the median full-time weekly earnings. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (May 2025) and compiled by Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time weekly earnings for midwives is $2,114 per week. That annualises to about $109,928. Compare that to the national line of **$108,352 (index 100) – the average full-time adult ordinary-time earnings from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings May 2026. That gives a salary index of about 101.5. So midwife pay sits just above the line.
How the salary index works
Salary Index measures yearly gross pay against the national line. Index 100 is $108,352. If your pay is $109,928, you are at index 101.5. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.9 per week, annualised $52,255, index 48.2. Midwife median pay is more than double that.
Where the data comes from
The median $2,114 is from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report. It covers full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. It excludes part-time, casual, and junior workers. The median hourly rate is $56. That is above the national minimum of $26.44 and above the casual loading example of $33.05.
Award rates and recent changes
Midwives are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027). Minimum rates for health professional employees increased from 1 October 2026 due to the Gender-based undervaluation—priority awards review. The Fair Work Commission Modern Awards Pay Database includes these changes. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides for this award. The minimum award rates rose 4.75% from 1 July 2026, and health professional rates increased further from 1 October 2026.
How midwife pay compares to industry and state
The health care and social assistance industry index is 97.8, slightly below the national line. Midwives earn above that, reflecting their specialised role. State indices vary: ACT 109.9, WA 106.9, NSW 101.2, VIC 98, QLD 97.9, SA 94.6, TAS 88.6. A midwife in the ACT or WA might earn more than the national median. States have different award coverage and cost of living.
Gender and pay
Midwives are 100% female (ABS Labour Force Survey 2025). The national gender pay gap shows women earn $1,934.5 per week vs men $2,181. Midwife median $2,114 is above the female average. The gender undervaluation review aims to address historical underpayment in female-dominated professions.
Super and tax
Super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, with a maximum contribution base of $270,830. On a $109,928 salary, super would be about $13,191. Resident tax 2026–27 (excluding Medicare) is: nil to $18,200; 15% to $45,000; 30% to $135,000; 37% to $190,000; 45% above. Plus Medicare levy 2%. A midwife earning $109,928 would have a marginal rate of 30% plus 2% Medicare, so 32% on income above $45,000. Take-home is lower after tax and Medicare.
Part-time and casual work
57% of midwives work part-time (ABS Labour Force 2025). Average full-time hours are 41 per week. Part-time pay is pro-rata. Casual loading of 25% applies under the award. The national minimum wage for casual is $33.05 per hour. Junior rates apply under 21, but midwives are usually adult.
How to use this information
If you are a midwife or employer, use the pay guides from Fair Work Ombudsman to check minimum rates. The how the index works page explains the calculation. The industries page shows health care index. Remember that index figures are gross ordinary-time benchmarks, not a quote for a person or job offer. Actual pay can be higher with experience, location, and enterprise agreements.
Summary
Midwife salary Australia median full-time earnings of $2,114 gives an index of about 101.5, just above the national line. Award rates increased from 1 October 2026. The figure is above the health care industry average. Use the salary index to see where your pay sits.
Questions people ask
What is the average midwife salary in Australia?
The median full-time weekly earnings for midwives are $2,114 per week, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (May 2025 data compiled by Jobs and Skills Australia. This annualises to about $109,928, which sits just above the national line of $108,352 (index 100). However, this is for full-time non-managerial employees; actual pay can be lower for part-time or junior rates, or higher for experienced or senior roles.
How does midwife pay compare to other health care roles?
Midwives earn above the health care and social assistance industry index of 97.8. The median midwife index of about 101.5 is higher than the industry average, reflecting specialised skills and high demand. Registered nurses and other health professionals also vary.
What factors affect midwife salary in Australia?
Award classification, experience, location, and employer type. The Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 sets minimum rates; from 1 October 2026, health professional rates increased due to gender undervaluation review. State indices range from ACT 109.9 to TAS 86.6. Super guarantee 12% from 1 July 2026.