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Biomedical engineer salary: where it sits on the Australian salary index
Find out where a biomedical engineer salary sits on the Australian salary index. We analyse public sector rates, industry benchmarks, and the national line.
A biomedical engineer salary varies widely; public sector entry-level rates index around 62, while the broader engineering professional median indexes near 127, but precise national figures are not published.
What is a biomedical engineer salary?
A biomedical engineer applies engineering principles to healthcare, designing medical devices, implants, and equipment. In Australia, the occupation is classified under ANZSCO 233913 and falls within the broader group of Other Engineering Professionals (2339). Understanding where a biomedical engineer salary sits on the Salary Index requires looking at available public data, because the Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish a specific median for this occupation due to a high standard error.
Where the pay sits on the salary index
The salary index compares annual gross earnings to the national line of $108,352 (index 100), based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026. For biomedical engineers, the most concrete figures come from the Victorian public sector enterprise agreement (2024-2028). An entry-level Class 1 Year 1 biomedical engineer earns $1,283.66 per week, which annualises to about $66,750 – an index of roughly 62. At the other end, a Class 5 Year 3 senior biomedical engineer earns $2,730.52 per week, annualising to about $141,987 – an index of about 131.
For a broader national picture, Jobs and Skills Australia reports that the median full-time weekly earnings for the entire Other Engineering Professionals group (which includes biomedical engineers) is $2,649. That annualises to $137,748, giving an index of about 127. However, this figure mixes several engineering disciplines, so it is not a precise biomedical engineer salary. The JSA profile for biomedical engineers alone lists median weekly earnings as N/A.
Public sector rates and progression
The Victorian public sector agreement covers biomedical engineers in hospitals and health services. It defines five classes with multiple year steps. For example:
- Class 1 Year 1: $1,283.66/week (index ~62)
- Class 2 Year 1: $1,627.55/week (index ~78)
- Class 3 Year 1: $1,805.60/week (index ~87)
- Class 4 Year 1: $2,089.34/week (index ~100)
- Class 5 Year 1: $2,422.29/week (index ~116)
These rates increase by 3% each 1 August from 2025 to 2027. The agreement also includes professional development allowances and a one-off cash payment. This is a useful benchmark for public sector biomedical engineer salary, but private sector and other states may differ.
Industry and state context
Biomedical engineers work mainly in Health Care and Social Assistance, Wholesale Trade, and Manufacturing. The industries page shows that Health Care and Social Assistance has an index of 97.8, while Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (where some biomedical engineers are employed) indexes at 114.7. State indexes also vary: Victoria (index 98) is close to the national line, while Western Australia (106.9) and ACT (109.9) are higher. A biomedical engineer salary in a high-index state or industry may be above the national median.
How the index works
The how the index works page explains that the salary index is annual gross pay divided by the national line ($108,352) times 100. For example, a biomedical engineer earning $80,000 per year would have an index of 74. The index helps compare roles across industries and locations. It is a benchmark, not a job offer.
Awards and enterprise agreements
Most biomedical engineers are covered by enterprise agreements or individual contracts rather than a modern award. The Victorian public sector agreement is one example. For those covered by awards, the Professional Employees Award 2020 may apply, but rates are often higher in practice. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour (index 48.2), so a biomedical engineer salary is well above that floor. Superannuation at 12% is additional to the salary.
Tax and take-home pay
Using the 2026-27 resident tax rates (excluding Medicare), a biomedical engineer earning $100,000 would pay about $22,967 in tax plus $2,000 Medicare levy, leaving around $75,033 take-home. For higher earners, the marginal rate of 37% applies above $135,000. These are estimates and ignore HELP repayments or salary sacrifice.
Summary
A biomedical engineer salary in Australia is not published as a single figure, but public sector rates and broader engineering professional data give a range. Entry-level public sector roles index around 62, while experienced engineers can index above 130. For the most current pay guides, see the pay guides section. State and industry benchmarks are available on the states and industries pages.
Questions people ask
What is the average biomedical engineer salary in Australia?
There is no published national average for biomedical engineers specifically. The broader 'Other Engineering Professionals' group (which includes biomedical engineers) has a median full-time weekly earnings of $2,649, according to Jobs and Skills Australia. For the Victorian public sector, entry-level rates start around $1,283 per week, rising to over $2,700 for senior roles.
How does a biomedical engineer salary compare to the national line?
The national line (index 100) is full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 annually). A Victorian public sector entry-level biomedical engineer earning $1,283.66 per week indexes at about 62. The broader engineering professional median of $2,649 per week indexes at about 127. Actual pay depends on experience, sector, and location.
What factors affect a biomedical engineer's pay in Australia?
Key factors include public vs private sector, years of experience, classification level, and location. The Victorian public sector enterprise agreement shows clear pay steps from Class 1 to Class 5. Industry also matters: biomedical engineers in Health Care and Social Assistance (index 97.8) may earn differently from those in Professional Services (index 114.7). Superannuation at 12% is additional.