Physiotherapist Salary in Australia: State and Industry Differences Explained

Understanding the Physiotherapist Salary Landscape

If you're researching a physiotherapist salary in Australia, the first thing to know is that the typical full-time earner sits below the national average. According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median weekly earnings for physiotherapists are $1,888, which works out to about $98,176 a year. That's roughly 90.6 on the Salary Index, where 100 equals the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352.

This index number tells you that the typical physiotherapist earns about 9% less than the average full-time worker across all occupations. But averages hide a lot. Where you work, who you work for, and how many years you've been in the game all shift the number up or down.

How the Physiotherapist Salary Compares to the National Line

The national line is set by the Australian Bureau of Statistics' Average Weekly Earnings survey. For May 2026, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings were $2,083.70 per week, annualised to $108,352. The median physiotherapist at $1,888 per week is $195.70 behind that line each week.

To put it in perspective, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week (index 48.2). A physiotherapist on the median earns nearly double that. But the median isn't the same as the starting rate. Entry-level physiotherapists may start on award rates, which are higher than the minimum but lower than the median.

State-by-State Variations

State indices give a clue about how location affects pay. The states page shows that the ACT has the highest ordinary-time earnings index at 109.9, followed by Western Australia at 106.9. Tasmania is lowest at 88.6. While we don't have state-specific physiotherapist earnings, it's reasonable to expect that a physiotherapist in Canberra or Perth earns more than one in Hobart.

Jobs and Skills Australia data shows the distribution of physiotherapists across states: New South Wales has 28.7%, Victoria 28.3%, Queensland 18.8%, Western Australia 12.5%, South Australia 7.8%, Tasmania 1.2%, and the ACT 1.6%. The Northern Territory is not listed separately but likely small. If you're in a high-cost, high-wage state like WA or ACT, your physiotherapist salary may push closer to or even above the national line.

Industry Context

Almost all physiotherapists work in Health Care and Social Assistance. The industries page shows that industry has an index of 97.8, slightly below the national 100. That aligns with the physiotherapist median being below the line. However, within health care, some sub-sectors pay more. For example, physiotherapists in private practice may earn more than those in public hospitals, especially if they build a client base or specialise in sports or musculoskeletal therapy.

Other industries that employ physiotherapists include education and training (index 105.5) and professional services (index 114.7), but these are small shares. The industry index for mining is 154.7, but very few physiotherapists work there.

Award Coverage and Minimum Rates

Physiotherapists are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides for this award, which set minimum hourly rates based on classification and experience. From 1 October 2026, minimum rates increased by 4.75% following the Annual Wage Review. The award minimum for a qualified physiotherapist (Level 1) is higher than the national minimum wage but lower than the median.

Many physiotherapists are employed under enterprise agreements that pay above the award. In public hospitals, state health enterprise agreements often set higher rates. The super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, so on a $98,000 salary, your employer adds about $11,760 to super, on top of your cash pay.

What This Means for Your Pay

If you're a physiotherapist or considering the career, your actual take-home pay depends on several factors. The median gives a useful benchmark, but your experience, location, and employer matter more. For a resident earning $98,176 in 2026–27, the estimated tax (including 2% Medicare levy) is about $24,500, leaving around $73,700 take-home. That's before any HELP repayments or salary sacrifice.

To see where your specific situation sits, use the how the index works page to calculate your own salary index. Compare with state and industry benchmarks on the topics page. And remember, the median is a snapshot, not a ceiling. With experience and specialisation, many physiotherapists move above it.

The key takeaway: a physiotherapist salary in Australia is solid but typically below the national average. Location and sector create real differences, so understanding those can help you negotiate or plan your next move.