Rehab Consultant Salary: What to Expect in Australia

What is a rehab consultant?

A rehab consultant – also called a rehabilitation counsellor – helps people with physical, mental, or social disadvantages return to work and participate in the community. They conduct counselling interviews, develop rehabilitation plans, and liaise with employers and healthcare providers. The occupation is classified under ANZSCO 272114 (Rehabilitation Counsellors), part of the broader Counsellors group.

If you are reading a job ad for a rehab consultant, you will want to compare the offered salary against what others earn and against the national benchmark. That is where the Salary Index helps: it converts a yearly gross salary into an index number, where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings ($108,352 per year as of May 2026).

Where does the rehab consultant salary sit on the index?

The honest answer is that we do not have a precise official figure. The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish median weekly earnings for 6-digit occupations like rehabilitation counsellors. However, we have useful clues from industry surveys and employment data.

Jobs and Skills Australia profile

According to the latest profile from Jobs and Skills Australia, there are about 1,900 rehabilitation counsellors employed nationally. The workforce is 70% female, with a median age of 35 – younger than the all-occupations median of 40. About 72% work full-time, averaging 40 hours per week. The main industries are Health Care and Social Assistance, Financial and Insurance Services, and Public Administration and Safety.

ARPA Remuneration Benchmarking Survey 2025

The Australasian Rehabilitation Providers Association (ARPA) conducted a remuneration survey in 2025 covering allied health professionals in member organisations. For rehabilitation counsellors, the most common mid-career salary band was $80,000–$109,000. The survey noted that most achieve $100,000 or more by 3 to 5 years of experience. This suggests that a rehab consultant salary can range from about index 74 (at $80,000) to index 101 (at $109,000). The national minimum wage, by comparison, is index 48.2 ($52,255).

Award coverage

Some rehab consultants are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. The Fair Work Commission updated minimum rates from 1 October 2026, including changes for health professional employees. If you are employed under this award, your minimum pay will be set by classification levels. However, many rehab consultant roles in private rehabilitation or the NDIS pay above award rates. Always check your contract and the applicable pay guides for your industry.

How to compare job offers

When you see a rehab consultant salary in a job ad, convert it to an index number using the formula: (annual salary ÷ $108,352) × 100. For example:

• $85,000 → index 78
• $95,000 → index 88
• $105,000 → index 97
• $115,000 → index 106

Then compare with the national line (100) and with state or industry benchmarks. For instance, the health care and social assistance industry index is 97.8, slightly below the national average. If you work in Western Australia, the state index is 106.9, meaning wages there tend to be higher overall.

Remember that the index uses gross ordinary-time earnings before tax and super. Your take-home pay will be less after tax and the 2% Medicare levy. For a resident earning $95,000 in 2026–27, the estimated tax (including Medicare) is about $22,800, leaving around $72,200 net. Super guarantee is 12% on top, but that is not part of your salary.

Factors that influence rehab consultant pay

Experience

The ARPA survey highlights that early-career (1–3 years) is the most vulnerable period for retention. Pay rises significantly after 3–5 years. Senior roles with supervision or management responsibilities can exceed $110,000.

Location

Salaries vary by state. The states page shows that the ACT index is 109.9, while Tasmania is 88.6. A rehab consultant in Canberra might earn more than one in Hobart, even for the same role.

Sector

Working in the NDIS, workers’ compensation, or private rehabilitation can pay differently. The ARPA survey only covers member organisations, so external markets may differ.

Qualifications

Rehabilitation counsellors typically hold a bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation counselling or a related field. Those with full registration as a psychologist (if also qualified) can command higher pay.

What about junior rates?

If you are under 21, the national minimum wage has junior percentages. For example, a 19-year-old rehab consultant would have a minimum hourly rate of $21.81 (82.5% of $26.44). But modern awards may set different junior rates. Most rehab consultant roles are filled by adults, so junior rates are less common.

Key takeaways

• The rehab consultant salary is not officially published by the ABS, but industry data points to $80,000–$109,000 mid-career.
• Use the Salary Index to compare any offer against the national benchmark of 100.
• Check if your role is covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 for minimum entitlements.
• Experience, location, and sector all affect pay. Early-career retention is a known risk.

For more on how salaries compare across Australia, see our topics section.

FAQs

What is the average rehab consultant salary in Australia?

There is no single official average because the ABS does not publish median earnings for this specific occupation. However, the ARPA Remuneration Benchmarking Survey 2025 indicates that most rehabilitation counsellors in member organisations earn between $80,000 and $109,000 mid-career, with many reaching $100,000 or more after 3–5 years. This range sits roughly between index 74 and 101 on the Salary Index (where 100 equals $108,352 annualised).

How does experience affect rehab consultant pay?

Experience has a clear impact. The ARPA survey shows that early-career rehab consultants (1–3 years) are at the highest risk of leaving, partly because pay is lower during that period. After 3–5 years, most achieve $100,000 or more. Senior roles with supervision endorsement (e.g., registered psychologists) see a strong uplift. The national minimum wage for juniors also applies if under 21, but most rehab consultants are adults.

Are rehab consultants covered by a modern award?

Some rehab consultants may be covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, which sets minimum rates for health professional employees. The Fair Work Commission updated these rates from 1 October 2026 as part of a gender-based undervaluation review. However, award coverage depends on the employer and specific duties. Many rehab consultants in private practice or NDIS roles may be above award. Always check your employment contract and the applicable award.