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Paramedic Salary QLD: How It Compares to the National Line and Award Rates
Find out where paramedic salary QLD sits against the national average earnings index. Learn how award rates and enterprise agreements affect pay for Queensland paramedics.
The typical paramedic salary in QLD is uncertain without a specific classification, but award rates for health professionals are above the national minimum wage, and QLD's overall earnings index is slightly below the national line.
Paramedic Salary QLD: Understanding Pay Against the National Line
When you search for "paramedic salary QLD", you are likely asking how much a paramedic in Queensland earns and how that compares to typical Australian earnings. This guide explains the key benchmarks: the national average earnings index, award minimums, and how Queensland stacks up.
The National Earnings Index and QLD
The Salary Index sets 100 as the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics Average Weekly Earnings data. As of May 2026, that benchmark is $2,083.70 per week, or $108,352 per year. Queensland's state index is 97.9, meaning average full-time earnings in QLD are about $106,064 annualised – slightly below the national line.
For context, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or $52,255 per year – an index of just 48.2. Award-covered workers, including many health professionals, earn more than that floor.
Awards and the National Minimum Wage
The writing angle here is awards versus the national minimum wage. The national minimum wage is the legal minimum for all employees not covered by an award or agreement. However, most paramedics in QLD are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 or a specific enterprise agreement. Modern awards set minimum pay rates that are higher than the national minimum wage. For example, the award for health professionals includes classification levels that start well above $26.44 per hour.
Because the reference data does not include a precise paramedic classification rate, we cannot give an exact figure. But we know that award rates for health professionals are typically above the national minimum wage. The award also includes provisions for casual loading (33.05 per hour for minimum wage casuals) and penalty rates for shift work, which paramedics often perform.
How Enterprise Agreements Affect Paramedic Salary QLD
In Queensland, the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) employs most paramedics under an enterprise agreement. Enterprise agreements can set pay and conditions that are better than the award. They often include higher base rates, allowances for overtime, and specific classifications. Without access to the current QAS agreement in the reference, we cannot state a median salary. However, it is safe to say that paramedic salary QLD under an enterprise agreement is likely above the award minimum and well above the national minimum wage.
Comparing to Other Industries and States
The industries page shows that health care and social assistance has an index of 97.8 – very close to QLD's state index. This suggests that average earnings in health care across Australia are slightly below the national line. Paramedics, as part of that industry, may follow a similar pattern. However, because paramedics are a specialised role with shift work and emergency duties, their pay can be higher than the industry average.
For a broader view, you can explore states to see how QLD compares to other regions. For example, Western Australia has an index of 106.9, while Tasmania is at 88.6. QLD sits near the middle.
Tax and Super Considerations
When thinking about take-home pay, remember that your gross salary is subject to income tax and the Medicare levy. For 2026–27, resident tax rates are: nil up to $18,200, 15% from $18,201 to $45,000, 30% from $45,001 to $135,000, 37% from $135,001 to $190,000, and 45% above that. The Medicare levy is 2% (flat). Superannuation guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, paid by your employer on top of your salary, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830.
For example, if a paramedic earns $80,000 per year (a hypothetical figure for illustration), the tax would be approximately $5,092 plus 30% of the amount over $45,000, plus 2% Medicare levy. That is not a quote, just an illustration.
Where to Find More Information
To understand how your specific role fits, check the pay guides for health professionals or the topics page for award coverage. The Salary Index itself is a useful tool to compare any gross annual salary to the national line: divide your yearly gross by $108,352 and multiply by 100.
Summary
Paramedic salary QLD is not precisely defined in the reference data, but we know it is above the national minimum wage and likely above the award minimum. Queensland's overall earnings are slightly below the national average, and the health care industry reflects that. Enterprise agreements for QAS paramedics typically provide better pay than the award. For a personalised estimate, consult your enterprise agreement or award classification.
FAQs
(FAQs are provided in the faqs array above.)
Questions people ask
What is the typical paramedic salary in QLD?
There is no single published median for paramedic salary QLD in the reference data. Most Queensland paramedics are employed by the Queensland Ambulance Service under an enterprise agreement that sets pay above the Health Professionals and Support Services Award. Entry-level paramedics under that award earn more than the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour, but exact figures depend on classification and experience.
How does paramedic pay in QLD compare to the national average earnings index?
The national average earnings index is 100, equivalent to $108,352 per year. QLD's state index is 97.9 ($106,064 annualised). The health care and social assistance industry index is 97.8. Paramedic salaries in QLD are likely above the national minimum wage (index 48.2) but may fall below the state average depending on classification and enterprise agreement terms. Without a specific figure, it is uncertain exactly where they sit.
Do paramedics in QLD get paid under an award or an enterprise agreement?
Most Queensland paramedics are covered by the Queensland Ambulance Service Enterprise Agreement, which typically pays above the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. The award sets minimum rates for health professionals, including paramedics, at levels above the national minimum wage. Enterprise agreements can add further allowances and higher base rates, so actual pay often exceeds the award minimum.