Counsellor salary: where it sits on the Australian salary index
See how the counsellor salary compares to the national line on the Australian salary index. Median weekly earnings, award coverage, and take-home estimates explained.
The median full-time counsellor salary of $1,477 per week gives a salary index of about 71, well below the national line of 100 but above the national minimum wage index of 48.
Counsellor salary: where it sits on the Australian salary index
If you are looking for a counsellor salary in Australia, the most reliable public figure comes from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours. The median full-time weekly earnings for counsellors is $1,477. That is the figure for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. It is a good starting point to see where counsellor pay compares to the national line.
What the salary index means
Salary Index () uses a simple idea: take a yearly gross figure and divide it by the national line (100 = full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, $108,352 per year). Then multiply by 100. For a counsellor salary of $1,477 per week, that is $76,804 per year. The index is 1,477 / 2,083.7 = 0.709, times 100 = 71. That is below the national line of 100. It is above the national minimum wage index of 48.2. That means a counsellor earning the median is earning more than the minimum but less than the average Australian full-time worker.
Where the figure comes from
Jobs and Skills Australia publishes occupation profiles using ABS data. For counsellors (ANZSCO 2721), the median weekly earnings are $1,477. The average full-time hours are 41 per week. That is slightly below the all-occupations average of 44 hours. The median age is 44, and 71% of counsellors are women. Most counsellors work in Health Care and Social Assistance or Education and Training.
Part-time and casual work
Only 60% of counsellors work full-time. That means many counsellors work part-time or casual. Their weekly earnings are lower than the median full-time figure. A part-time counsellor working 20 hours a week at the median hourly rate of $39 would earn about $780 per week. Casual counsellors get a loading (usually 25% on top of the hourly rate), so the same hours would be about $975 per week. The salary index for part-time work would be lower because the index uses full-time earnings as the base.
Awards and minimum pay
Counsellors are covered by modern awards depending on their employer. The most common is the Health Professionals and Support Services Award. From 1 October 2026, minimum pay rates for health professional employees under that award increased. The Social Community Home Care and Disability Services Award also covers some counsellors in community services. The higher education industry award applies for counsellors in universities. The minimum hourly rate for a counsellor under the Health Professionals Award is around $28 to $30 per hour, depending on classification. That is above the national minimum wage of $26.44. The salary index for a counsellor at the award minimum would be about 55 to 60.
Take-home pay after tax
A counsellor earning the median $1,477 per week, annual $76,804. After tax and Medicare levy (2% of taxable income, plus income tax brackets. For 2026-27, the tax is: nil on first $18,200, 15% on $18,201 to $45,000, and 30% on $45,001 to $76,804. That is about $13,561 in tax, plus $1,536 in Medicare. Take-home is about $61,700 per year, or $1,187 per week. That is a rough estimate. The salary index for take-home is 57. That is below the national line of 100.
How counsellors compare to other occupations
The national line for health care and social assistance industry is 97.8. That is close to the national average. Counsellors are below that. For example, a nurse or social worker often earn more than the industry average. The counsellor median is 71, so it is a lower-paid role within the industry.
Super and other considerations
Employers pay super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026. For a counsellor earning $76,804, the employer contributes $9,216 per year. That is not included in the salary index. The index uses ordinary-time earnings before tax. The salary index is based on gross pay. The salary index is a benchmark, not a quote for a job.
Where to find more
For award rates, see pay guides from Fair Work Ombudsman. For industry comparisons, see industries. For how the index works, see how the index works. For other topics, see topics.
Summary
The counsellor salary in Australia is about 71 on the salary index. It is below the national line but above the minimum. The median figure is $1,477 per week full-time. Many counsellors work part-time, so actual earnings vary. The figure is a guide, not a guarantee.
Questions people ask
What is the average counsellor salary in Australia?
The median full-time weekly earnings for counsellors is $1,477, according to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2023). That annualises to about $76,800 before tax. However, only 60% of counsellors work full-time, so the average across all counsellors (including part-time) is lower. The figure is a guide; actual pay can vary by role, award, and experience.
How does counsellor pay compare to the national average?
The national salary index line (100) is $2,083.70 per week (full-time adult ordinary-time earnings). The counsellor median of $1,477 gives a salary index of about 71. That is below the national line but above the national minimum wage index (48.2). Counsellors in health care and social assistance industry average index 97.8, so counsellors tend to be below that industry benchmark.
What awards cover counsellors?
Counsellors are covered by several modern awards depending on their employer and role. Common awards include the Health Professionals and Support Services Award, the Social Community Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award, and the Higher Education Industry – Academic Staff Award. Each has minimum pay rates and classification. Pay guides for these awards are available from Fair Work Ombudsman. Many counsellors may also be covered by enterprise agreements that can pay above the award.