Physio salary Australia: where it sits on the national pay index

What does a physio earn in Australia?

If you're searching for a physio salary Australia, the most reliable starting point is the median weekly earnings published by Jobs and Skills Australia. As of May 2025, full-time physiotherapists earn a median of $1,888 per week before tax. That works out to roughly $98,176 a year – but how does that compare to the rest of the country?

On the Salary Index, the national line is set at 100, which represents full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 a year (based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). A physio on the median sits at an index of about 91 – a little below average, but still well above the national minimum wage (index 48.2).

Where the data comes from

The $1,888 figure comes from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, as reported by Jobs and Skills Australia. It covers full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate – so it excludes managers, part-timers, and juniors. That makes it a fair benchmark for a typical qualified physiotherapist working standard hours.

Other details from the same source: 72% of physiotherapists work full-time, averaging 41 hours a week. The median age is 33, and 58% of the profession is female. Most work in Health Care and Social Assistance – no surprise there.

How the award system affects pay

Most employed physiotherapists are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (often called the Health Services Award). The Fair Work Commission recently overhauled the classification structure as part of a gender undervaluation review. From 1 October 2026, new pay rates and classification levels came into effect.

• Level 1 employees are classified by their AQF qualification (e.g., bachelor degree) and years of experience in the profession.
• Levels 2, 3 and 4 are based on roles and duties, not just time served.

The award also introduced phased pay increases: a rise from 1 October 2026, then further increases on 30 June 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030. These are minimum rates – many physios, especially in private practice or public hospitals, earn above the award.

If you're starting out, your pay point within Level 1 depends on your years of experience as a physiotherapist, not necessarily with the same employer. That means moving jobs doesn't reset your pay clock.

Comparing to the national line

The how the index works page explains the calculation: your annual gross ordinary-time earnings divided by the national line ($108,352) times 100. For a physio on the median:

$1,888 × 52 weeks = $98,176 $98,176 ÷ $108,352 × 100 = index 90.6 (round to 91)

That's below the all-occupations median of $1,852 per week (index 88.9) – wait, actually the all-occupations median is $1,852, which gives index 88.9. So physios are slightly above the all-occupations median. But the national line (100) is higher because it's an average of full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, not a median.

State and industry variations

Physiotherapy pay can vary by location. The states page shows state indexes: for example, NSW is 101.2, Victoria 98, Queensland 97.9, Western Australia 106.9. A physio in WA might earn more than one in Tasmania (index 88.6), though cost of living also differs.

Industry matters too. Physiotherapists overwhelmingly work in Health Care and Social Assistance, which has an industry index of 97.8 – close to the national average. Those in mining or professional services might earn more, but that's less common for physios.

Super and tax

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12%, paid on top of your salary. So on $98,176, an employer would add $11,781 to super. The maximum contribution base is $270,830.

For tax (2026–27 rates, excluding Medicare):

• $0–$18,200: nil
• $18,201–$45,000: 15%
• $45,001–$135,000: 30%
• $135,001–$190,000: 37%
• Above $190,000: 45%

Plus the 2% Medicare levy. A physio on $98,176 would pay roughly $22,667 in income tax plus $1,963 Medicare levy, leaving about $73,546 take-home (assuming no HELP debt or other adjustments).

What the index doesn't tell you

The salary index is a benchmark, not a job offer. It uses full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, which includes all occupations and experience levels. Your actual pay as a physio depends on:

• Years of experience and specialisation
• Public vs private sector
• Location (metro vs regional)
• Whether you're covered by an enterprise agreement

For more detail on award rates, check the pay guides section. And if you're comparing different careers, the industries page shows how health care stacks up.

Bottom line

A typical physio in Australia earns around $98,000 a year, putting them at index 91 – slightly below the national average but comfortably above minimum wage. Recent award changes mean minimum rates are rising over the next few years, especially for early-career physiotherapists. If you're negotiating a salary, the median and the award rates give you a solid reference point.