Patient transport officer salary: where it sits on the Australian salary index

What is a patient transport officer salary?

A patient transport officer (PTO) drives non-emergency ambulances or patient transport vehicles, moving people between medical facilities, homes, and appointments. The role is distinct from paramedic work and is covered by the Ambulance and Patient Transport Industry Award 2020 (). The award sets minimum wages, penalty rates, and conditions. This article explains where the patient transport officer salary sits on the Australian salary index, using the latest award rates from the Fair Work Ombudsman and Fair Work Commission.

Award minimum rates from 1 July 2026

Under the award, a full-time patient transport officer works an average of 38 ordinary hours per week. The minimum weekly rates are:

• Year 1: $1,218.00 ($32.05 per hour)
• Year 2: $1,227.00 ($32.29 per hour)
• Year 3 and above: $1,235.10 ($32.50 per hour)

Annualised (52 weeks), that’s roughly $63,336 for year 1 and $64,225 for year 3 and above. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate, bringing the year 3 casual rate to $40.63 per hour. Penalty rates for Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays, as well as shift allowances, are also specified in the award.

These figures come from the Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guide and the Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database. They are minimums; actual pay may be higher under enterprise agreements or state health system arrangements.

Where does it sit on the salary index?

The Salary Index compares a yearly gross wage to the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. The benchmark (index 100) is $108,352 per year, based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026 ($2,083.70 per week).

For a patient transport officer on the award minimum:

• Year 1: $63,336 ÷ $108,352 × 100 = index 58.5
• Year 3+: $64,225 ÷ $108,352 × 100 = index 59.3

That puts the patient transport officer salary at about 59 on the index. To give context:

• The national minimum wage (2026–27) is $26.44 per hour, annualised $52,255, index 48.2.
• The health care and social assistance industry average is index 97.8 (industries).
• The overall national average is index 100.

So a patient transport officer earns above the legal minimum but well below the average for all full-time workers and below the health care sector average. The role is often an entry point into the ambulance and patient transport industry, with progression to higher classifications like Ambulance Officer (index ~63) or Station Officer (index ~71).

Take-home pay estimate

Using the 2026–27 resident tax rates (tax-free threshold, no HELP debt, flat 2% Medicare levy), a patient transport officer earning $64,225 per year would pay approximately:

• Tax on first $18,200: nil
• Tax on $18,201 to $45,000: $4,020 (15% of $26,800)
• Tax on $45,001 to $64,225: $5,767.50 (30% of $19,225)
• Total tax: $9,787.50
• Medicare levy (2% of $64,225): $1,284.50
• Total deductions: $11,072
• Estimated take-home: $53,153 per year ($4,429 per month or $1,022 per week)

This is a rough estimate. Actual take-home depends on HECS/HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, and the Medicare levy surcharge if applicable.

How the award works

The Ambulance and Patient Transport Industry Award covers employers in the ambulance and patient transport industry, including state and territory ambulance services and private patient transport operators. The award classifications include Patient Transport Officer, Clinical Transport Officer, Communications Call Taker, and various paramedic roles. Each classification has minimum rates that increase with experience.

From 1 July 2026, award rates rose by 4.75% following the Annual Wage Review. The superannuation guarantee also increased to 12% from the same date. Employers must contribute to a complying super fund to avoid the super guarantee charge.

Comparing across states

State-based ambulance services often have enterprise agreements that pay above the award. For example, in New South Wales (state index 101.2) and Victoria (98), patient transport officers employed directly by the state health system may earn more than the award minimum. In Western Australia (index 106.9), pay tends to be higher due to the stronger state economy. However, the award minimum applies nationally to private operators and as a floor for all covered employees.

Related roles and progression

Patient transport officer is typically a stepping stone. With further training, you can become a Clinical Transport Officer (award minimum $1,188.30 per week, index ~57) or an Ambulance Officer ($1,309.50 per week, index ~63). Senior roles like Station Officer or Team Manager pay $1,428 to $1,557 per week (index 69–75). The pay guides section has more detail on these classifications.

Summary

The patient transport officer salary under the award is around index 59, meaning it is about 59% of the national full-time average. It is a solid entry-level wage above the national minimum but below the average for health care workers. Actual earnings can be higher with overtime, penalties, or state-based agreements. For a full breakdown of how the index works, see how the index works.