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Physiotherapist Salary Melbourne: Where It Sits on the Australian Salary Index
Find out how a physiotherapist salary in Melbourne compares to the national average using the Salary Index. Based on ABS and Jobs and Skills Australia data.
A physiotherapist in Melbourne likely earns around the national median of $1,888 per week, placing it near index 90 on the Australian Salary Index, but precise local figures are uncertain.
Understanding the Salary Index
The Salary Index is a simple way to see where a pay figure sits against the national line. A score of 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, which the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) calculated at $2,083.70 per week in May 2026, or $108,352 annualised. If your salary is below that, your index is under 100; above, it’s over 100. For example, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week, giving an index of 48.2.
When we talk about a physiotherapist salary Melbourne, we need to compare it to this benchmark. The index helps you see whether the role pays above or below the typical Australian full-time worker.
Physiotherapist Earnings Nationally
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median weekly earnings for physiotherapists are $1,888 (before tax). That’s based on full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Annualised, that’s about $98,176. The median hourly rate is $50, compared to $47 for all occupations. Physiotherapists are a relatively young workforce (median age 33) and 58% are women.
On the Salary Index, the national median for physiotherapists works out to roughly 90.6. That means a typical physiotherapist earns about 90.6% of the national full-time ordinary-time earnings. It’s a solid professional salary, but below the all-occupations average because the national line includes many higher-paid roles like mining and professional services.
What This Means for Melbourne
Melbourne is in Victoria, and the state index for Victoria is 98 (annualised $106,137). That’s slightly below the national line, meaning average earnings in Victoria are a touch lower than the Australian average. So a physiotherapist salary Melbourne is likely to be close to the national median, perhaps a few thousand dollars less due to the state effect.
We don’t have Melbourne-specific data from the ABS or Jobs and Skills Australia, but we can estimate. If the national median is $98,176 and Victoria’s average is 2% below the national line, a Melbourne physiotherapist might earn around $96,000 to $98,000. That would give an index of about 89 to 90. Keep in mind that this is a rough guide; actual pay varies by employer, sector (public hospital vs private practice, hospital vs aged care) and experience level.
The health care and social assistance industry, where most physiotherapists work, has an industry index of 97.8. That reinforces the idea that physiotherapists are in a sector slightly below the national average.
Award Coverage, Super, and Tax
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 rates from 1 October 2026 includes changes from a gender-based undervaluation review. Most physiotherapists are paid above award, but the award sets the legal minimum. For example, an entry-level physiotherapist might start at around $25–$30 per hour under the award, but experienced physiotherapists often earn much more.
Superannuation is 12% from 1 July 2026, paid on top of your salary. So a $98,000 salary would have $11,760 in super, making total remuneration about $109,760. Tax for 2026–27 (resident, no HELP) on $98,000 would be roughly $22,267 plus 2% Medicare levy, leaving about $73,733 take-home. That’s a rough estimate; your situation may differ.
Where to Find More Information
For more on how the index works, see how the index works. To compare salaries across Australia, check our states page. If you’re looking at other health roles, the industries page has benchmarks for health care and social assistance. And for award rates, the pay guides section links to Fair Work Ombudsman resources.
Remember, the figures here are based on national data and should be used as a guide. Your actual physiotherapist salary Melbourne will depend on your employer, experience, and negotiations. But on the Salary Index, it’s a solid professional income that sits around 90—above the minimum wage but below the national line.
Questions people ask
What is the average physiotherapist salary in Melbourne?
Based on national data from Jobs and Skills Australia, the median weekly earnings for physiotherapists are $1,888, which annualises to about $98,176. In Victoria, the state average earnings are slightly below the national line (index 98), so a physiotherapist in Melbourne might earn around $96,000 to $98,000 per year. However, actual pay depends on experience, sector, and whether you work full-time or part-time.
How does a physiotherapist salary compare to the national average?
The national median for physiotherapists ($1,888 per week) is slightly above the all-occupations median of $1,852. On the Salary Index, where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year, a physiotherapist earning the national median would have an index of about 90.6. In Melbourne, the state index is 98, meaning the relative position is similar—around 90–95 depending on local conditions.
What award covers physiotherapists in Melbourne?
Physiotherapists are typically covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. From 1 October 2026, minimum rates in this award increased following a gender-based undervaluation review. Most physiotherapists are paid above the award minimum, but the award sets the legal floor. You can check current pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman for the exact classification rates.