Dietitian salary: award rates, super, and what you can expect in Australia

What is a dietitian salary?

A dietitian salary in Australia is the gross pay for a qualified health professional who applies nutrition science to help people manage diet and health. Dietitians work mainly in health care and social assistance, often in hospitals, community health, or private practice. The occupation is highly female-dominated (95%) and has a median age of 34, younger than the all-occupations average of 40. About half work part-time.

Because the Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish median weekly earnings for dietitians at the six-digit ANZSCO level, the most reliable public benchmarks come from modern awards. The Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 sets minimum rates for health professional employees, including dietitians, based on qualifications and experience.

Award minimums for dietitians

Under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award, a dietitian is typically classified as a Health Professional employee at Level 1, with an AQF Level 5 qualification (a bachelor's degree). The minimum weekly rate for a full-time employee (38 hours) depends on years of experience:

• 1st year: $1,232.70 per week (hourly $32.44)
• 2nd–3rd year: $1,308.80 per week ($34.44)
• 4th–6th year: $1,426.00 per week ($37.53)
• 7th year and over: $1,541.30 per week ($40.56)

These rates are from the Fair Work Ombudsman's consolidated award, effective 1 October 2026, and include the 4.75% increase from the Annual Wage Review and gender undervaluation adjustments.

Using the Salary Index, where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026), the award minimums translate to:

• 1st year: $64,100 annualised → index 59.2
• 7th year+: $80,148 annualised → index 74.0

These are the legal floor. Many dietitians in public hospitals or private practice earn above award, especially with experience or in senior roles.

Typical dietitian pay

Without a published median, we can look at broader health professional categories. The award also has Level 2 and above for more senior roles, with rates up to $2,499 per week (index 120). However, most dietitians likely fall within Level 1 or early Level 2.

Jobs and Skills Australia reports that dietitians work an average of 40 full-time hours per week, slightly below the all-occupations average of 44. The part-time share is 51%, so many dietitians work reduced hours.

Given the lack of a median figure, the award minimums provide a conservative estimate. A dietitian with a few years of experience might earn between $70,000 and $90,000 gross per year, placing them around index 65 to 83. This is below the health care and social assistance industry average index of 97.8, which includes higher-paid roles like doctors and nurses.

Superannuation on dietitian salary

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee at 12% of ordinary time earnings (from 1 July 2026). For a dietitian on the 7th-year award minimum of $80,148, the employer would contribute an additional $9,618 per year into a super fund. The super guarantee maximum contribution base is $270,830, so most dietitians will have the full 12% applied.

Super is not included in the salary index figures, which are gross ordinary-time earnings before super. When comparing total remuneration, add the super contribution.

Tax on dietitian salary

Using the 2026–27 resident tax rates (excluding Medicare levy), a dietitian earning $80,000 gross would pay:

• Tax on first $18,200: nil, then 15% on $18,201–$45,000 ($4,020), then 30% on $45,001–$80,000 ($10,500), total tax $14,520. Plus Medicare levy 2% ($1,600). Net take-home: $63,880. If salary sacrificing into super, the taxable income reduces.

For a dietitian on the 1st-year award of $64,100, tax would be lower: $4,020 + 30% on $19,100 ($5,730) = $9,750, plus Medicare $1,282, net $53,068.

These are estimates; individual circumstances vary.

How dietitian salary compares across states

The states page shows state indexes: NSW 101.2, VIC 98, QLD 97.9, SA 94.6, WA 106.9, TAS 88.6, NT 95.2, ACT 109.9. Dietitians in WA and ACT may earn above the national average, while those in TAS and SA may be below. However, award rates are national, so the floor is the same; differences come from market rates and cost-of-living adjustments in public sector agreements.

Where to find more

For detailed award classifications, see the [pay guides on modern awards. The industries page has health care and social assistance benchmarks. The how the index works page explains the calculation.

Salary Index covers related pay topics.