Physiotherapy Salary in Australia: Awards vs National Minimum Wage

What is a physiotherapy salary?

When you search for "physiotherapy salary" in Australia, you're usually looking for what a physiotherapist can expect to earn. The most reliable public figure comes from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) via Jobs and Skills Australia. As of May 2025, the median full-time weekly earnings for physiotherapists is $1,888. That annualises to about $98,176 (52 weeks). To put that in perspective, the national line for full-time adult ordinary-time earnings is $2,083.70 per week, or $108,352 per year (index 100). So the median physiotherapy salary sits at an index of roughly 90.6 – below the national average but well above the national minimum wage.

Awards versus the national minimum wage

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, annualised to $52,255 (index 48.2). That's the legal floor for all employees not covered by an award or agreement. But most physiotherapists are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (the HPA Award). This award sets higher minimum rates. For support services employees (like receptionists or assistants) the award rates range from $26.97 to $39.42 per hour depending on level. However, physiotherapists are classified as health professional employees under the award, and their minimum rates are not published in the summary pay guide – you need to use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool to get a precise figure. What's clear is that the award minimum for a qualified physiotherapist is significantly above the national minimum wage.

How the salary index helps

The Salary Index compares any gross annual salary to the national line of 100. For physiotherapy, the median index of 90.6 means the typical physiotherapist earns about 9% less than the average Australian full-time worker. But that's still nearly double the national minimum wage index of 48.2. If you're a physiotherapist working in a state like Western Australia (index 106.9) or the ACT (index 109.9), your pay might be higher than the national median due to market conditions. Conversely, in Tasmania (index 88.6) or South Australia (index 94.6), pay may be lower. The states page breaks down these differences.

Industry context

Physiotherapists mostly work in Health Care and Social Assistance, an industry with an overall index of 97.8 – slightly below the national line. That industry includes hospitals, private practices, and aged care. Within that, physiotherapy salaries can vary: public hospital positions often follow award rates with clear progression, while private practice may offer higher base pay but less job security. The industries page shows how health care compares to other sectors like mining (index 154.7) or retail (index 75.9).

Who earns what?

According to the ABS, 72% of physiotherapists work full-time, averaging 41 hours per week. The profession is female-dominated (58%) and relatively young (median age 33). Part-time work is common, which pulls down the overall average if you include all workers. The median full-time figure of $1,888 per week is for non-managerial adult employees – so it excludes junior rates or managerial roles. Junior physiotherapists (under 21) may be paid a percentage of the adult rate under the award, similar to the national minimum wage junior percentages (e.g., $9.73/hr for under 16s up to $25.83/hr for 20-year-olds).

Take-home pay and super

On a $98,176 gross salary, a resident Australian (with tax-free threshold, no HELP debt) would pay about $23,000 in income tax plus $1,964 Medicare levy (2%), leaving roughly $73,000 take-home. That's before any salary sacrifice or Medicare levy surcharge. Superannuation is extra: from 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12%, so your employer would contribute $11,781 into your super fund on top of your salary. That doesn't appear in the salary index but is part of your total remuneration package.

Where to find current award rates

The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides for each award. For the HPA Award, the summary shows support services rates, but for health professionals you'll need to use their online tool. The Fair Work Commission also maintains a Modern Awards Pay Database with updated rates after each Annual Wage Review. The 2026 review increased award minima by 4.75% from 1 July 2026, and the HPA Award also had changes from 1 October 2026 due to a gender-based undervaluation review. Always check the latest pay guide for your specific classification.

The bottom line

A physiotherapy salary in Australia is solidly above the national minimum wage but slightly below the overall national average. The median index of 90.6 reflects a profession that is well-paid relative to the legal floor but not at the top of the earnings ladder. If you're comparing job offers, use the Salary Index to see how each offer stacks up against the national line, and remember that award rates, super, and location all affect your real take-home pay.