Occupational Therapist Salary Australia: Gross Pay, Super, and Tax in 2026
Explore occupational therapist salary Australia with award minimums, median earnings, superannuation at 12%, and tax brackets. Compare against the national salary index.
Based on median full-time weekly earnings of $1,913, an occupational therapist's salary index is approximately 92, slightly below the national average of 100.
What Does 'Occupational Therapist Salary Australia' Mean?
When you search for an occupational therapist salary in Australia, you are typically looking for the gross annual or hourly pay that a qualified occupational therapist can expect. This figure can vary widely depending on experience, location, employer, and whether the role is covered by a modern award or an enterprise agreement. To make sense of the numbers, Salary Index compares gross yearly earnings to the national line of $108,352 (index 100), which is the full-time adult ordinary-time earnings from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey (May 2026).
Award Minimums for Occupational Therapists
The Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, published by the Fair Work Ombudsman, sets minimum pay rates for health professional employees including occupational therapists. The award classifies employees by qualification level and years of experience. For a Level 1 health professional with an AQF5 qualification (e.g., a diploma), the minimum hourly rate ranges from $32.44 (1st year) to $40.56 (7th year+). Annualised, that is $63,258 to $79,092, placing these roles at index 58 to 73.
However, most occupational therapists hold at least a bachelor's degree (AQF7). The award does not explicitly list AQF7 rates for Level 1, but higher classifications (Levels 2, 3, 4) apply to more experienced or specialised therapists. Level 2.1 starts at $51.19 per hour ($99,821 annualised, index 92), and Level 4 reaches $65.77 per hour ($128,252 annualised, index 118). Many employers pay above the award, especially in private practice or public hospitals.
Median Earnings from Jobs and Skills Australia
According to Jobs and Skills Australia (ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025), the median full-time weekly earnings for occupational therapists are $1,913, with median hourly earnings of $50. Annualised, that gross pay is about $99,476, giving a salary index of approximately 92. This is slightly below the national all-occupations median of $1,852 per week (index 89) but above the health care and social assistance industry index of 97.8.
The median age of occupational therapists is 33 years, and 92% are female. About 63% work full-time, averaging 40 hours per week. The industry is overwhelmingly in Health Care and Social Assistance.
Superannuation and Total Remuneration
From 1 July 2026, the superannuation guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. For an occupational therapist earning the median $99,476, the employer must contribute an additional $11,937 per year to a super fund. This brings total remuneration (salary plus super) to about $111,413. Super is taxed at 15% within the fund, which is lower than most marginal tax rates, making it a valuable part of the compensation package.
Tax on an Occupational Therapist's Salary
Resident tax rates for 2026–27 (excluding Medicare) are progressive: nil up to $18,200; 15% from $18,201 to $45,000; 30% from $45,001 to $135,000; 37% from $135,001 to $190,000; and 45% above $190,000. The Medicare levy is a flat 2% on taxable income. For the median $99,476, the estimated tax and Medicare total is about $22,352, leaving take-home pay of $77,124 per year ($1,483 per week). This estimate ignores HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, and the Medicare levy surcharge.
How the Salary Index Applies
The Salary Index helps you compare any gross annual pay to the national benchmark. An occupational therapist on the award floor (index 58) is well below the national average, while one at the median (index 92) is close to the line. Those in senior roles or specialised areas (e.g., Level 4 award rate) can exceed the national average, reaching index 118 or higher. State indices also matter: an occupational therapist in Western Australia (index 106.9) or the ACT (index 109.9) may earn more than one in Tasmania (index 88.6), even for the same role.
For more context, see how the index works and explore pay guides for other health professions. You can also compare by states or industries.
Caveats and Considerations
The median earnings data from the ABS are from May 2025 and may not reflect current market conditions. Award rates are minimums; many occupational therapists are covered by enterprise agreements or individual contracts that pay more. The award classification for a bachelor's degree holder is not explicitly defined in the Level 1 table, so actual pay may be negotiated at Level 2 or above. Always check the specific award or agreement for your role.
For a deeper dive into related topics, visit topics or read about salary benchmarking for allied health.
Questions people ask
What is the minimum award rate for an occupational therapist in Australia?
Under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, a Level 1 health professional with an AQF5 qualification (e.g., diploma) earns a minimum of $32.44 per hour in their first year, rising to $40.56 per hour after seven years. However, most occupational therapists hold a bachelor's degree (AQF7) and may be classified at a higher level or paid above award. The award also includes higher levels (2, 3, 4) with rates up to $65.77 per hour for Level 4.
How does superannuation affect an occupational therapist's total remuneration?
From 1 July 2026, the superannuation guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings, paid on top of gross salary. For an occupational therapist earning the median $99,476, the employer contributes approximately $11,937 per year to super, bringing total remuneration to about $111,413. Super is taxed at 15% within the fund, which is lower than most marginal tax rates.
What is the take-home pay after tax for an occupational therapist earning the median salary?
For a resident earning $99,476 in 2026–27, the estimated tax (including Medicare levy) is: $0 on first $18,200; $4,020 on $18,201–$45,000 (15%); $16,342.80 on $45,001–$99,476 (30%); plus 2% Medicare levy ($1,989.52). Total tax and Medicare: approximately $22,352. Take-home pay is about $77,124 per year, or $1,483 per week. This excludes HELP repayments and salary sacrifice.