Speech Pathologist Salary: Where It Sits on the Australian Salary Index
Find out where the speech pathologist salary sits on the Australian salary index. Award minimums and industry benchmarks explained.
Speech pathologist salaries are not published by the ABS, but award minimums under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award range from an index of 59 to 74, with experienced professionals likely earning above award.
Speech Pathologist Salary: Where It Sits on the Australian Salary Index
If you're looking into a speech pathologist salary in Australia, the short answer is that official median figures aren't available, but the award system provides a clear floor. This guide explains where speech pathologist pay sits on the Salary Index, using the latest public data from the Fair Work Ombudsman, Fair Work Commission, and Jobs and Skills Australia.
The Award That Covers Speech Pathologists
Speech pathologists are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027). Under this award, they are classified as Health Professional employees. The minimum rates depend on the employee's qualification level under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and their years of experience in the profession at Level 1.
The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the full schedule of rates. For a Health Professional at Level 1 with an AQF Level 5 qualification (typically a bachelor's degree), the minimum weekly rates as of October 2026 are:
- 1st year: $1,232.70 per week ($32.44 per hour)
- 2nd–3rd year: $1,308.80 per week ($34.44 per hour)
- 4th–6th year: $1,426.00 per week ($37.53 per hour)
- 7th year and over: $1,541.30 per week ($40.56 per hour)
These rates are the legal minimum. Most employers pay above award, especially in private practice or public hospitals where demand for speech pathologists is high.
Where These Figures Sit on the Salary Index
The Salary Index compares annual gross earnings to the national benchmark of full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. As of May 2026, that benchmark is $108,352 per year (index 100).
Using a standard 38-hour week (the award full-time hours), the annualised minimums for a Level 1 speech pathologist are:
- 1st year: $64,100 → index 59.2
- 7th year+: $80,148 → index 74.0
For context, the national minimum wage sits at index 48.2. So even a newly qualified speech pathologist earns about 23% more than the minimum wage. The award also has higher classifications (Levels 2, 3, and 4) for senior practitioners, with minimum hourly rates up to $65.77 (Level 4), which would push the index above 120.
What the Data Tells Us About Actual Pay
Jobs and Skills Australia's occupation profile for speech pathologists (ANZSCO 252712) reports 11,000 employed people as of the 2021 Census, with 97% female and a median age of 33. Importantly, the ABS does not publish median weekly earnings for this occupation because the sample size is too small to produce a reliable estimate. This means we cannot give a single 'average' speech pathologist salary from official sources.
However, the award minimums provide a useful starting point. The fact that 56% of speech pathologists work full-time (average 40 hours per week) suggests many are on contracts or in roles that pay above the award. The main industries are Health Care and Social Assistance, and Education and Training.
State and Industry Comparisons
While no state-specific speech pathologist salary data was found in this search, the states page on Salary Index shows how average earnings vary across Australia. For example, New South Wales has an index of 101.2, while Tasmania is 88.6. Speech pathologists in higher-index states may see slightly higher pay, but award rates are national.
By industry, Health Care and Social Assistance has an index of 97.8, close to the national average. This suggests that speech pathologists working in that industry are likely earning around or slightly below the all-industries average, depending on experience.
Superannuation and Tax Considerations
From 1 July 2026, the superannuation guarantee is 12%, meaning employers must contribute an additional 12% of ordinary-time earnings to a super fund. This is on top of the salary figures above.
For tax, a resident speech pathologist earning $80,000 per year (index 74) would pay approximately $16,267 in income tax plus a 2% Medicare levy, leaving a take-home pay of about $62,000. Use the pay guides for more detailed calculations.
How to Use This Information
If you're negotiating a speech pathologist salary, remember that the award minimum is just the starting point. Factors like your qualifications (honours or master's degree), years of experience, and the type of employer (private practice often pays more than public) will push your pay higher. The topics page has more on negotiating pay within award frameworks.
For a broader view, explore how speech pathologist pay compares to other health professions on the industries page. And always check the latest award rates on the Fair Work Ombudsman website, as they are updated after each annual wage review.
Summary
A speech pathologist salary in Australia has no published median, but the award minimums give a clear floor: index 59 to 74 for Level 1 practitioners. Experienced or senior speech pathologists can earn significantly more, potentially above the national average. Use the salary index to benchmark any offer against the national line.
Questions people ask
What is the average speech pathologist salary in Australia?
The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish a median weekly earnings figure for speech pathologists because the sample size is too small. However, award minimums under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award provide a floor. For a Level 1 health professional with an AQF Level 5 qualification, the minimum hourly rate ranges from $32.44 (1st year) to $40.56 (7th year+). Many speech pathologists earn above these rates, especially in private practice or public health settings.
How does the speech pathologist salary compare to the national average?
Using the salary index (where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year), the award minimum for an entry-level speech pathologist sits at an index of about 59. For an experienced speech pathologist at the top of Level 1, the index is about 74. The national minimum wage is index 48.2, so even entry-level speech pathologists earn well above the minimum. However, actual salaries for experienced professionals may reach or exceed the national average, depending on location and employer.
What factors affect a speech pathologist's pay?
Key factors include: years of experience (award rates increase with experience up to 7+ years), qualifications (AQF Level 5 vs higher degrees), employer type (public hospital, private practice, schools), location (some states have higher award rates or cost-of-living adjustments), and full-time vs part-time work. The award also has higher classifications (Levels 2-4) for senior or specialist roles, with minimum hourly rates up to $65.77.