Perfusionist Salary Australia: State and Industry Differences Explained

Perfusionist Salary Australia: What You Need to Know

When you search for "perfusionist salary Australia", you are looking for how much these specialist cardiovascular technicians earn across the country. Perfusionists operate heart-lung machines and other life-support equipment during surgery, and their pay reflects the high skill and responsibility required. However, there is no single national figure because wages are set by state awards, enterprise agreements, or individual contracts. This article explains the state and industry differences using the most current public information from the Fair Work Commission, NSW Health, and Jobs and Skills Australia.

State Differences in Perfusionist Pay

The most detailed public salary data for perfusionists comes from the NSW Health Employees' Technical (State) Award 2025. This award covers perfusionists working in the NSW Health Service and sets minimum weekly rates for four grades:

• Grade 1 (Trainee Perfusionist): 1st year $2,105.85 per week (from 1 July 2026)
• Grade 2 (Certified Perfusionist): 1st year $2,330.11 per week
• Grade 3 (In-Charge Perfusionist): 1st year $3,271.28 per week
• Grade 4 (Director of Perfusion Services): 1st year $3,439.25 per week

These rates are minimums under the award and apply only to NSW Health. Other states have their own awards. For example, Victoria and Queensland have different industrial relations systems, and perfusionists there may be covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (a modern award) or state-specific instruments. The Fair Work Commission Modern Awards Pay Database does not list a specific perfusionist classification under modern awards, so state awards like the NSW one are the primary source for public rates.

Industry Context

Perfusionists are classified under ANZSCO 311299 (Other Medical Technicians) by Jobs and Skills Australia. This group includes audiometrists, dialysis technicians, and sleep technicians, among others. The median weekly earnings for this broad occupation are not publicly available from the search results, but the industry profile shows that 56% work full-time, with an average of 40 hours per week. The median age is 42, and 60% are female.

Most perfusionists work in Health Care and Social Assistance, an industry with a salary index of 97.8 (slightly below the national line of 100). However, perfusionists in specialised roles – especially those in senior or director positions – can earn well above the industry average. The NSW award rates for Grade 3 and Grade 4 perfusionists are significantly higher than the industry index suggests.

How Perfusionist Salaries Compare to the National Line

The national line (index 100) is based on full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). Using the NSW award rates as an example:

• Grade 1 1st year: $2,105.85/week → annualised $109,504 → index 101.1
• Grade 2 1st year: $2,330.11/week → annualised $121,166 → index 111.8
• Grade 3 1st year: $3,271.28/week → annualised $170,107 → index 157.0
• Grade 4 1st year: $3,439.25/week → annualised $178,841 → index 165.1

These are above the national line, especially for senior grades. However, remember these are minimum award rates for NSW Health. Actual salaries in private hospitals or other states may be different. For comparison, the national minimum wage (index 48.2) is $52,255 per year, so perfusionists are well above that floor.

State indices also matter. New South Wales has an index of 101.2 (annualised $109,658), while Western Australia is higher at 106.9 ($115,825) and Tasmania lower at 88.6 ($96,008). If you work in a state with a higher overall earnings index, you might expect higher perfusionist pay, but the award rates are set independently.

Superannuation and Tax Considerations

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% on earnings up to $270,830 per year. So a perfusionist earning $121,166 would receive an additional $14,540 in super contributions. Tax for 2026–27 is progressive: 30% on income between $45,001 and $135,000, plus a 2% Medicare levy. A resident earning $121,166 would pay roughly $27,000 in tax and Medicare, leaving a take-home of about $94,000 plus super. These are estimates and ignore HELP repayments or salary sacrifice.

Where to Find More Information

For the latest award rates, check the Fair Work Commission Modern Awards Pay Database or your state's industrial relations body. The Salary Index can help you compare your pay to the national line by industry. You can also explore state-by-state benchmarks to see how your location affects earnings. For a deeper explanation of how the index works, see how the index works.

If you are negotiating a contract or considering a move, remember that perfusionist salary Australia is not a single number – it depends on your grade, state, employer, and experience. Use the public award rates as a baseline and adjust for your specific situation.

Summary

Perfusionist salaries in Australia vary widely by state and award. The most detailed public data is from the NSW Health award, which shows rates from $2,105 to $3,439 per week for 2026. These are above the national line, especially for senior roles. For other states, check relevant awards or enterprise agreements. The industry index for health care is 97.8, but perfusionists in senior positions often earn above that. Always consider super, tax, and location when evaluating an offer.