Physio salary: award rates, median pay and what you actually take home
A practical breakdown of the physio salary in Australia – award minimums, median earnings, super, tax and how it compares to the national index.
The median full-time physio salary sits around index 91, slightly below the national line, while award rates for experienced physios can push above index 93.
What does 'physio salary' mean?
When someone searches for 'physio salary', they usually want to know what a physiotherapist can expect to earn in Australia. The answer isn't a single number – it depends on where you work, how long you've been qualified, and whether you're on an award or an enterprise agreement. This guide uses the latest public data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Jobs and Skills Australia, and the Fair Work Ombudsman to give you a clear picture.
The salary index: where physio pay sits
Salary Index uses a simple benchmark: the national line of 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 a year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). If your gross annual salary is $108,352, your index is 100. Anything below means you earn less than the typical full-time worker; above means you earn more.
For physiotherapists, the median full-time weekly earnings are $1,888. That annualises to $98,176, giving an index of about 91. That's a touch below the national line. But the median includes everyone from new graduates to experienced practitioners. The award rates for a qualified physio on the Health Professionals and Support Services Award can be higher.
Award rates for physiotherapists
The Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 sets minimum pay for physiotherapists in private practice. From 1 October 2026, the rates for Health Professional employees are:
- Level 2.1 (first year after qualification): $1,945.40 per week – annualised $101,161, index 93.4
- Level 2.2: $1,983.20 per week – annualised $103,126, index 95.2
- Level 3: $1,983.20 per week (same as 2.2)
- Level 4: $2,499.10 per week – annualised $129,953, index 119.9
These are minimums. Many physios in private practice earn above award, especially if they see a high volume of patients or work on commission. Public hospital physios are often covered by state enterprise agreements that can pay more.
Median earnings from Jobs and Skills Australia
The most recent data (ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025) shows:
- Median full-time weekly earnings: $1,888
- Median hourly earnings: $50
- Average full-time hours: 41 per week
- 72% of physiotherapists work full-time
The median hourly rate of $50 is above the all-occupations median of $47. That reflects the skilled nature of the work. But the median weekly earnings of $1,888 are only slightly above the all-occupations median of $1,852.
How tax and super affect your take-home pay
Your gross physio salary is not what lands in your bank account. For the 2026–27 financial year, resident tax rates (excluding Medicare) are:
- $0 – $18,200: nil
- $18,201 – $45,000: 15% on the excess
- $45,001 – $135,000: 30% on the excess
- $135,001 – $190,000: 37% on the excess
- Above $190,000: 45%
Plus a 2% Medicare levy. So if you earn the median $98,176, your tax (including Medicare) is roughly:
- Tax on $98,176: ($45,000 – $18,200) × 15% = $4,020; plus ($98,176 – $45,000) × 30% = $15,952.80; total tax = $19,972.80. Add Medicare 2% = $1,963.52. Total = $21,936.32. Take-home ≈ $76,240.
Superannuation is extra. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% on top of your gross pay. So your employer contributes about $11,781 if you earn $98,176. That goes into your super fund, not your pocket, but it's part of your total remuneration.
State differences
Physio salaries can vary by state. The national index for health care and social assistance is 97.8 industries. But state indexes differ:
- NSW: 101.2
- VIC: 98
- QLD: 97.9
- WA: 106.9
- ACT: 109.9
If you work in WA or ACT, you might earn more than the national median for physios. In Tasmania (index 88.6) or SA (94.6), pay tends to be lower. These are broad benchmarks, not specific to physiotherapy, but they give a sense of regional variation.
How to use this information
If you're negotiating a physio salary, start with the award rate for your level. Then consider your experience, location, and whether the role includes commission or bonuses. The median gives you a market benchmark, but your actual pay could be higher or lower. For more detail, check the pay guides or see how your state compares on the states page.
Final thought
The physio salary in Australia sits around the national average, with award rates providing a solid floor. With super at 12% and a relatively young workforce (median age 33), it's a profession with good earning potential over a career. Use the index to compare your offer to the national line – it's a simple way to see where you stand.
Questions people ask
What is the average physio salary in Australia?
The median full-time physio salary is $1,888 per week, or about $98,000 a year. That's index 91 – slightly below the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings line of $108,352. But award rates for a qualified physio on the Health Professionals and Support Services Award can start at $1,945 a week for Level 2.1, which works out to $101,161 a year (index 93.4). Your actual pay depends on experience, location and whether you're in a public hospital or private practice.
How does superannuation affect a physio salary?
From 1 July 2026 the super guarantee is 12% on top of your gross pay, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. So if your physio salary is $98,000, your employer adds $11,760 in super. That's part of your total remuneration package but not part of your take-home pay. The super is taxed at 15% inside the fund, which is lower than most marginal tax rates.
What award covers physiotherapists in Australia?
Most physiotherapists in private practice are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. It has minimum rates for Health Professional employees from Level 1 (AQF 5) up to Level 4. For example, a Level 2.1 physio (first year after qualification) gets $1,945.40 per week from 1 October 2026. Public hospital physios are often covered by state-based awards or enterprise agreements, which can pay higher.