Physiotherapist salary Australia: where it sits on the national pay index

What does 'physiotherapist salary Australia' mean on the pay index?

When you search for a physiotherapist salary Australia, you are likely trying to understand how much this profession earns compared with other jobs and the national benchmark. The Salary Index helps by putting every occupation on the same scale: index 100 equals the full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year), as measured by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. A figure above 100 means the occupation typically earns more than the national line; below 100 means less.

For physiotherapists, the median full-time weekly earnings are $1,888, according to Jobs and Skills Australia. That works out to an index of about 91. In plain terms, a typical physiotherapist earns about 91% of the national benchmark. That is slightly below the health care and social assistance industry average of index 97.8, but still well above the national minimum wage (index 48.2).

Where the median figure comes from

Jobs and Skills Australia compiles data from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours. For physiotherapists, the median is based on full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. It excludes part-time workers, juniors, and managers, so it gives a clean picture of the typical full-time wage. The median hourly rate is $50, and 72% of physiotherapists work full-time, averaging 41 hours per week. The profession is relatively young (median age 33) and female-dominated (58% women).

Award rates: the legal minimum

Physiotherapists in private practice are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. This award sets minimum weekly rates that rose by 4.75% from 1 July 2026, with further changes from 1 October 2026 following the gender-based undervaluation review. For a physiotherapist with a bachelor’s degree (AQF Level 5), the minimum in the first year is $1,232.70 per week ($32.44 per hour). After seven years at Level 1, it rises to $1,541.30 per week. More experienced physiotherapists classified at Level 2.1 earn at least $1,945.40 per week ($51.19 per hour). These are floors, not ceilings. Many physiotherapists in private practice or public hospitals earn above the award, especially those with specialist skills or management responsibilities.

How state and industry context affects pay

Physiotherapists work in every state and territory, but the general state indices show where average earnings sit relative to the national line. For example, the ACT index is 109.9, while Tasmania is 88.6. A physiotherapist in Canberra might earn more than one in Hobart, but occupation-specific state data is not published. The industry index for health care and social assistance is 97.8, meaning the sector as a whole is slightly below the national average. Physiotherapists at index 91 are below that sector average, which may reflect the relatively young age profile and the fact that many work in private practice where award rates are the baseline.

Superannuation and tax considerations

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary-time earnings, paid on top of your salary. For a physiotherapist earning the median $98,176, that adds about $11,781 in super contributions each year, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. On the tax side, a resident earning $98,176 in 2026–27 would pay an estimated $22,867 in income tax plus a 2% Medicare levy ($1,963), leaving a take-home of about $73,346 before any HELP repayments or salary sacrifice. The tax-free threshold means the first $18,200 is untaxed, then 15% up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, and so on.

Putting it all together

A physiotherapist salary Australia typically lands at index 91, a solid middle-ground occupation. It pays more than many retail or hospitality roles (retail trade index 75.9, accommodation and food services 72.5) but less than professional services (index 114.7) or mining (154.7). The award system provides a clear safety net, and experienced physiotherapists can move well above the median by specialising, taking on management roles, or working in high-demand areas. For a full comparison of how different occupations and industries stack up, see the industries page or the how the index works explanation. If you are evaluating a specific job offer, remember that the median is a guide, not a guarantee – your experience, location, and employer all matter.

Where to find more

For award rates and conditions, check the Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guides for the Health Professionals and Support Services Award. For state-by-state benchmarks, visit the states page. And if you want to see how physiotherapy compares with other health professions, browse the topics section.