Speech pathologist salary Melbourne: award rates and how they compare

What is a speech pathologist salary in Melbourne?

A speech pathologist salary in Melbourne depends on experience, qualification level, and the type of employer. Most speech pathologists are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, which sets minimum pay rates for the profession across Australia. The award classifies speech pathologists as Health Professional employees, with rates tied to their Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level and years of experience.

To understand where a speech pathologist salary in Melbourne sits against the national line, we use the Salary Index. The index compares yearly gross pay to full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, which the Australian Bureau of Statistics reports as $108,352 per year (index 100). A figure above 100 means above-average earnings; below 100 means below average.

Award rates for speech pathologists

Under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award, a speech pathologist is typically a Health Professional employee at Level 1. The minimum hourly rate depends on the AQF level of their qualification and how long they have worked in the profession.

For example, a speech pathologist with an AQF Level 8 qualification (such as an honours degree) and in their first year earns a minimum of $35.19 per hour (weekly $1,337.10). Annualised over 52 weeks at 38 hours, that’s about $69,529 – an index of 64.2. After seven years at the same level, the rate rises to $45.30 per hour (weekly $1,721.40, annualised ~$89,513, index 82.6).

More senior speech pathologists may be classified at Level 2, 3, or 4. For instance, a Level 2.1 health professional (which could include an experienced clinician or team leader) earns a minimum of $51.19 per hour (weekly $1,945.40, annualised ~$101,161, index 93.4). At Level 4, the highest classification, the minimum is $65.77 per hour (weekly $2,499.10, annualised ~$129,953, index 120.0).

These are the minimum rates set by the Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guide. Many employers, especially in private practice or hospitals, pay above the award. The figures also do not include superannuation, which from 1 July 2026 is 12% of ordinary-time earnings.

State and industry context for Melbourne

Melbourne is in Victoria, where the state index is 98 – meaning the average full-time adult ordinary-time earnings in Victoria are about 2% below the national line. For a speech pathologist salary in Melbourne, this means the local average across all occupations is slightly lower than the national benchmark. However, the health care and social assistance industry index is 97.8, very close to the national average. So a speech pathologist in Melbourne is working in an industry that pays near the national line, in a state that is also near the line.

To put it in perspective, an entry-level speech pathologist (index ~64) is well below the state average, while a senior speech pathologist at Level 2.1 (index ~93) is close to the Victorian average. A Level 4 specialist (index ~120) is above both the state and national averages.

How the index works for speech pathologists

The Salary Index is a simple way to compare any pay figure to the national benchmark. You take the annual gross salary (excluding super) and divide it by $108,352, then multiply by 100. For example, a speech pathologist earning $90,000 per year has an index of 83.1. That means they earn about 83% of the average full-time adult ordinary-time earnings.

When looking at a speech pathologist salary in Melbourne, it’s useful to compare against both the states and industries pages. Victoria’s index of 98 and the health care industry index of 97.8 show that the role is in a sector and location that are close to the national average.

Tax and take-home pay

A speech pathologist in Melbourne pays income tax and Medicare levy on their earnings. For the 2026–27 financial year, the tax rates are: nil up to $18,200; 15% from $18,201 to $45,000; 30% from $45,001 to $135,000; 37% from $135,001 to $190,000; and 45% above $190,000. The Medicare levy is 2% of taxable income. These are estimates and do not include HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, or the Medicare levy surcharge.

For example, a speech pathologist earning $90,000 per year would pay about $20,467 in tax plus $1,800 in Medicare levy, leaving a take-home of roughly $67,733. That’s about $5,644 per month.

Where to find more information

The pay guides page on Salary Index links to official award summaries. For speech pathologists, the Health Professionals and Support Services Award pay guide from the Fair Work Ombudsman is the best starting point. The Fair Work Commission also publishes the full award and a modern awards pay database with all minimum rates.

Remember that award rates are minimums. Actual salaries for speech pathologists in Melbourne can vary widely depending on the employer (public hospital, private practice, school, or NDIS provider), experience, and negotiation. The index gives you a benchmark to see where any offer or current salary sits against the national line.