Health Professionals and Support Services Award pay rates 2026
New minimum rates for the Health Professionals and Support Services Award apply from 1 October 2026, set out in the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide published 26 August 2026. The figures on this page apply until then.
Minimum rates for the Health Professionals and Support Services Award (MA000027) from 1 July 2026: 34 classifications on 30 distinct hourly rates, with casual and weekend rates.
This page brings together the published minimum pay rates under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award. You will find the minimum rate for each classification and pay point, along with casual rates and the penalty rates that apply to weekend, shift and public holiday work.
The Health Professionals and Support Services Award covers a broad slice of the private health sector: allied health practices, private hospitals and day surgeries, pathology and diagnostic imaging providers, medical and dental clinics, and community health organisations. It applies to qualified health professionals such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, audiologists, dietitians and speech pathologists, as well as the support workforce around them, including medical receptionists, dental assistants, pathology collectors, technicians and orderlies. Minimum rates are set across many classification levels and pay points, reflecting the wide range of qualifications and experience found in health workplaces.
Pay rates by classification
How the pay scale works
Adult rates in the Health Professionals and Support Services Award run from $26.97 an hour (Support services employee level 1) to $71.19 (Health Professional employee — level 4 — pay point 4), a spread of $44.22 an hour or 164%, $1,680.40 a week full-time.
The award’s 34 classifications in this dataset share 30 distinct hourly rates.
A casual Support services employee level 1 is paid $33.71 an hour, 25% above the full-time hourly rate, in place of paid leave.
What changed on 1 July 2026
For the entry classification, Support services employee level 1:
The hourly rate rose $1.23 (4.8%) from $25.74 on 30 June 2026 to $26.97, and the full-time weekly rate rose $46.50.
Penalty rates
| Day | Health professionals | Median | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 150% | 150% | 2 of 19 |
| Sunday | 150% | 187.5% | 14 of 20 |
| Public holiday | 250% | 250% | 1 of 22 |
The Sunday rate of 150% is lower than the median of 187.5% across the 20 awards with a Sunday rate for their entry classification, and ranks 14th.
Every Health Professionals and Support Services Award penalty rate, by classification
Compared with related awards
| Award | Entry classification | Hourly | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Industry Award | Pharmacy assistant level 1 | $27.81 | 150% |
| Aged Care Award | Aged care employee — general — level 1 | $27.77 | 175% |
| Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award | Home care employee level 1 — disability care — pay point 1 | $27.28 | 200% |
| Nurses Award | Student enrolled nurse — 21 years of age and over | $26.97 | 175% |
| Children's Services Award | Support worker level 1.1 — on commencement | $26.44 | 200% |
The Health Professionals and Support Services Award entry rate is $0.84 an hour lower than the Pharmacy Industry Award entry rate of $27.81.
The Health Professionals and Support Services Award entry rate is $0.80 an hour lower than the Aged Care Award entry rate of $27.77.
The Health Professionals and Support Services Award entry rate is $0.31 an hour lower than the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award entry rate of $27.28.
Allowances
The pay database lists 8 wage-related allowances and 11 expense-related allowances for this award. All-purpose allowances count towards penalty rates, overtime and leave.
| Allowance | Amount | Paid | All-purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat allowance—between 40°C and 46°C | $0.61 | per hour or part thereof | no |
| Heat allowance—exceeds 46°C | $0.73 | per hour or part thereof | no |
| Nauseous work allowance—per hour or part thereof | $0.61 | per hour or part thereof | no |
| Nauseous work allowance—minimum per week | $3.29 | per week | no |
| Occasional interpreting allowance—per occasion | $1.34 | per occasion | no |
| Occasional interpreting allowance—maximum per week | $15.49 | per week | no |
| On-call allowance, per 24 hour period or part thereof—Monday to Saturday | $26.34 | per 24 hour period | no |
| On-call allowance, per 24 hour period or part thereof—Sunday or public holiday | $52.56 | per 24 hour period | no |
| Uniform allowance, the lesser of—per shift or part thereof | $1.26 | per shift | no |
| Uniform allowance, the lesser of—per week | $6.41 | per week | no |
| Laundering allowance, the lesser of—per shift or part thereof | $0.33 | per shift | no |
| Laundering allowance, the lesser of—per week | $1.53 | per week | no |
| Board and lodging—employees receiving full adult rate of pay | $36.83 | per week | no |
| Board and lodging—trainees | $16.64 | per week | no |
| Board and lodging—where employees buy their meals at ruling cafeteria rates | $22.93 | per week | no |
| Meal allowance—more than one hour of overtime | $17.30 | per occasion | no |
| Meal allowance—further meal allowance where overtime exceeds 4 hours | $15.60 | per occasion | no |
| Tool allowance—chefs and cooks not provided with all necessary tools | $13.41 | per week | no |
| Motor vehicle allowance | $1.01 | per km | no |
Look up a rate
Rates current as of 1 July 2026. FWC pay database, Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027), checked (how). General information only: your award or enterprise agreement prevails if it differs.