Health Professionals Award 2025 Pay Rates (MA000027)
Plain-English Summary
Who does this award cover?
The Health Professionals and Support Services Award covers two broad groups: health professionals (such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, dietitians, psychologists, radiographers, and pharmacists) and health support services employees (such as therapy assistants, pharmacy assistants, patient transport officers, sterilisation technicians, and hospital food services workers). It covers roughly 200,000 workers employed in private hospitals, private practices, community health centres, diagnostic imaging clinics, and allied health businesses across Australia.
This award does NOT cover doctors (covered by specific medical officer awards or agreements), nurses and midwives (Nurses Award, MA000034), or employees of state/territory public health systems (who are typically covered by state enterprise agreements). It also does not apply to dental practitioners (Dental Industry Award, MA000047). If you work for a public hospital as a state government employee, your state enterprise agreement takes priority over this award. See clause 4.1 for the full coverage terms.
How classification levels work
The award has two separate classification structures. Support Services Employees have 9 levels (clause 14 and Schedule A) ranging from Level 1 (entry-level cleaners and kitchen staff in health settings) through Level 9 (senior technical specialists). Health Professional Employees have a stream based on qualifications: from Pay point 1 (new graduate, UG2 qualification) through to Pay point 6 (experienced professional), plus senior and principal professional levels with their own pay points. Your classification depends on both your qualifications and the complexity of work you perform.
Part-time and casual health professionals
Part-time employment is common in allied health, particularly for physiotherapists and occupational therapists who work across multiple practices. Part-time employees receive the same hourly rate as full-time employees (clause 10.3). Casual employees receive a 25% loading on the base hourly rate (clause 11.1). Many health professionals working as sole practitioners or independent contractors are not covered by this award -- it only applies to employees in an employer-employee relationship.
Classification Levels and Base Rates
All rates effective 1 July 2025. Source: Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review 2024-25.
Support Services Employees
| Level | Typical Roles (Schedule A) | Weekly Rate | Hourly Rate | Casual Rate (incl. 25% loading) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Entry-level cleaner, kitchen hand, laundry worker in a health setting | $978.20 | $25.74 | $32.18 |
| Level 2 | Experienced ward assistant, food services, orderly | $1,016.90 | $26.76 | $33.45 |
| Level 3 | Pharmacy assistant, therapy assistant (basic), patient transport | $1,056.00 | $27.79 | $34.74 |
| Level 4 | Theatre technician, sterilisation technician, experienced pharmacy assistant | $1,068.40 | $28.12 | $35.15 |
| Level 5 | Senior therapy assistant, dental technician, pathology collector | $1,104.70 | $29.07 | $36.34 |
| Level 6 | Technical specialist, laboratory technician, senior pathology collector | $1,164.20 | $30.64 | $38.30 |
| Level 7 | Senior technical specialist, chief technician | $1,185.10 | $31.19 | $38.99 |
| Level 8 -- Pay point 1 | Principal technician, senior technical manager | $1,225.30 | $32.24 | $40.30 |
| Level 8 -- Pay point 2 | Advanced technical specialist | $1,257.50 | $33.09 | $41.36 |
| Level 8 -- Pay point 3 | Chief technical officer | $1,345.80 | $35.42 | $44.28 |
| Level 9 -- Pay point 1 | Senior chief technician, department head (technical) | $1,369.90 | $36.05 | $45.06 |
| Level 9 -- Pay point 2 | Advanced chief technician | $1,418.50 | $37.33 | $46.66 |
| Level 9 -- Pay point 3 | Principal technical officer | $1,429.90 | $37.63 | $47.04 |
Health Professional Employees
| Level | Typical Roles | Weekly Rate | Hourly Rate | Casual Rate (incl. 25% loading) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP 1 -- Pay point 1 | New graduate (UG2 qualification), entry-level health professional | $1,120.80 | $29.49 | $36.86 |
| HP 1 -- Pay point 2 | Graduate with 3-year degree | $1,164.20 | $30.64 | $38.30 |
| HP 1 -- Pay point 3 | Graduate with 4-year degree | $1,215.70 | $31.99 | $39.99 |
| HP 1 -- Pay point 4 | Graduate with Masters degree | $1,257.50 | $33.09 | $41.36 |
| HP 1 -- Pay point 5 | Graduate with PhD | $1,369.90 | $36.05 | $45.06 |
| HP 1 -- Pay point 6 | Experienced graduate professional | $1,418.50 | $37.33 | $46.66 |
| HP 2 -- Pay point 1 | Experienced health professional, clinical specialist | $1,426.20 | $37.53 | $46.91 |
| HP 2 -- Pay point 2 | Senior clinical practitioner | $1,478.10 | $38.90 | $48.63 |
| HP 2 -- Pay point 3 | Advanced clinical practitioner | $1,534.50 | $40.38 | $50.48 |
| HP 2 -- Pay point 4 | Senior advanced practitioner | $1,595.60 | $41.99 | $52.49 |
| HP 3 -- Pay point 1 | Principal practitioner, clinical lead, practice manager | $1,664.80 | $43.81 | $54.76 |
| HP 3 -- Pay point 2 | Senior principal practitioner | $1,711.50 | $45.04 | $56.30 |
| HP 3 -- Pay point 3 | Chief practitioner | $1,748.30 | $46.01 | $57.51 |
| HP 3 -- Pay point 4 | Senior chief practitioner | $1,825.90 | $48.05 | $60.06 |
| HP 3 -- Pay point 5 | Director-level practitioner | $1,893.30 | $49.82 | $62.28 |
| HP 4 -- Pay point 1 | Head of discipline, director of allied health | $2,015.80 | $53.05 | $66.31 |
| HP 4 -- Pay point 2 | Senior director | $2,151.10 | $56.61 | $70.76 |
| HP 4 -- Pay point 3 | Executive-level practitioner | $2,339.30 | $61.56 | $76.95 |
| HP 4 -- Pay point 4 | Chief allied health officer | $2,582.40 | $67.96 | $84.95 |
Hourly rate = weekly rate / 38 (clause 13.1). Casual rate = hourly rate x 1.25 (clause 11.1).
Penalty Rates
All penalties are calculated on the base hourly rate (clause 26 and clause 28).
Full-Time and Part-Time Employees
| When you work | Penalty | Support L1 example | HP 1 PP 2 example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday (ordinary hours) | 100% | $25.74/hr | $30.64/hr |
| Saturday | 150% (clause 26.1(a)) | $38.61/hr | $45.96/hr |
| Sunday | 150% (clause 26.1(b)) | $38.61/hr | $45.96/hr |
| Public holiday | 250% (clause 26.1(c)) | $64.35/hr | $76.60/hr |
| Shiftwork loading | 115% (clause 29.1) | $29.60/hr | $35.24/hr |
| Overtime -- first 2 hours (Mon-Sat) | 150% (clause 28.1(a)) | $38.61/hr | $45.96/hr |
| Overtime -- after 2 hours (Mon-Sat) | 200% (clause 28.1(a)) | $51.48/hr | $61.28/hr |
| Overtime -- Sunday | 200% (clause 28.1(b)) | $51.48/hr | $61.28/hr |
| Overtime -- public holiday | 250% (clause 28.1(c)) | $64.35/hr | $76.60/hr |
Casual Employees
| When you work | Penalty (on base rate) | Support L1 example | HP 1 PP 2 example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday (ordinary hours) | 125% | $32.18/hr | $38.30/hr |
| Saturday | 175% (clause 26.3) | $45.05/hr | $53.62/hr |
| Sunday | 175% (clause 26.3) | $45.05/hr | $53.62/hr |
| Public holiday | 275% (clause 26.3) | $70.79/hr | $84.26/hr |
| Shiftwork loading | 140% (clause 29.2) | $36.04/hr | $42.90/hr |
| Overtime -- first 2 hours (Mon-Sat) | 175% (clause 28.3) | $45.05/hr | $53.62/hr |
| Overtime -- after 2 hours (Mon-Sat) | 225% (clause 28.3) | $57.92/hr | $68.94/hr |
| Overtime -- Sunday | 225% (clause 28.3) | $57.92/hr | $68.94/hr |
| Overtime -- public holiday | 275% (clause 28.3) | $70.79/hr | $84.26/hr |
Casual penalty rates include the 25% casual loading. Saturday/Sunday casual = base x 1.75 (not base x 1.25 x 1.50). Note: Unlike many awards, weekend rates for permanent employees are the same for Saturday and Sunday (both 150%). See clause 26.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Casual physiotherapist working a Saturday
Emma is a casual HP 1, Pay point 3 (4-year degree) physiotherapist who works 6 hours at a private clinic on Saturday.
- Base rate: $31.99/hr
- Saturday casual rate: 175% = $31.99 x 1.75 = $55.98/hr
- Total for 6 hours: $335.88 gross
- Clause reference: clause 26.3
Example 2: Full-time pharmacy assistant on a public holiday
Josh is a permanent Support Services Level 3 pharmacy assistant who works an 8-hour public holiday shift.
- Base rate: $27.79/hr
- Public holiday rate: 250% = $27.79 x 2.50 = $69.48/hr
- Total for 8 hours: $555.84 gross
- Plus: Josh is entitled to a substitute day off or an extra day of annual leave (clause 34)
- Clause reference: clause 26.1(c)
Example 3: Part-time therapy assistant with overtime
Lin is a part-time Support Services Level 5 therapy assistant who normally works 24 hours per week. Her employer asks her to work an extra 4 hours on a Thursday.
- Base rate: $29.07/hr
- If the extra hours fall outside Lin's agreed hours, overtime applies (clause 10.5)
- First 2 hours overtime: 150% = $29.07 x 1.50 = $43.61/hr x 2 = $87.22
- Next 2 hours overtime: 200% = $29.07 x 2.00 = $58.14/hr x 2 = $116.28
- Total overtime pay: $203.50 gross
- Clause reference: clause 28.1(a), clause 10.5
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the ordinary hours for health professionals?
Ordinary hours are a maximum of 38 per week, or an average of 38 per week over a roster cycle (clause 13.1). The span of ordinary hours is 6:00am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday for day workers (clause 13.3). For shiftworkers, hours can be rostered across any day of the week. If your employer rosters you to work between midnight Friday and midnight Sunday as part of your ordinary hours, weekend penalty rates apply under clause 26.
2. What is the minimum shift length for casual health professionals?
Casual employees must be engaged for a minimum of 3 hours per shift (clause 11.2). At the lowest rate (Support Services Level 1 casual, $32.18/hr), the minimum payment for any casual shift is $96.54 gross. This also applies to health professional employees -- a casual physiotherapist called in for a single patient cannot be paid for less than 3 hours.
3. Do I get paid extra for weekend work?
Yes. Both Saturday and Sunday attract a 50% loading for permanent employees (150% of the base rate, clause 26.1). This is unusual -- most awards have a higher rate for Sunday than Saturday. Casual employees receive 175% for both Saturday and Sunday (clause 26.3). Public holidays attract 250% for permanent and 275% for casual employees.
4. I am a new graduate physiotherapist. Which pay point applies to me?
Your pay point at HP 1 is determined by your highest relevant qualification. A 3-year bachelor degree enters at Pay point 2 ($30.64/hr). A 4-year bachelor degree (which is now standard for physiotherapy) enters at Pay point 3 ($31.99/hr). A Masters degree enters at Pay point 4 ($33.09/hr). These are minimum rates -- your employer can pay above award. After gaining experience and taking on more complex work, you progress to HP 2 (clause 14 and Schedule B).
5. Does this award cover radiographers and sonographers?
Yes. Radiographers, sonographers, radiation therapists, and nuclear medicine technologists are all health professionals covered by this award when employed by a private employer (clause 4.1 and Schedule B). They are classified under the Health Professional Employee stream. A new graduate radiographer with a 4-year degree enters at HP 1, Pay point 3. Public hospital radiographers are typically covered by state enterprise agreements, not this award.
Check Your Rate
Working in allied health or health support services? Use our free calculator to check your exact pay rate.
Select your stream (support services or health professional), enter your classification level, employment type, and when you work. Get an instant breakdown showing your correct rate for every hour -- including weekend penalties and shift loadings.
Schema Markup Suggestions
FAQ Schema (FAQPage)
Apply FAQPage schema to the 5 FAQ questions and answers above.
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "FAQPage",
"mainEntity": [
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "What are the ordinary hours for health professionals under this award?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "Ordinary hours are a maximum of 38 per week, or an average of 38 per week over a roster cycle. The span of ordinary hours for day workers is 6:00am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday. Weekend work attracts penalty rates of 150% for permanent and 175% for casual employees."
}
}
]
}
Table Schema (Dataset)
- name: "Health Professionals and Support Services Award MA000027 Pay Rates July 2025"
- description: "Classification levels and hourly pay rates for health professionals and support services employees under the Health Professionals Award"
- temporalCoverage: "2025-07-01/.."
- creator: Fair Work Commission
- license: CC BY 4.0
Breadcrumb Schema
Home > Awards > Health Professionals and Support Services Award (MA000027)
Rates current as of 1 July 2025. Source: Fair Work Commission, CC BY 4.0. This information is general in nature and is not legal advice. Always verify rates against the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT) at calculate.fairwork.gov.au.