Dermal therapist salary: what you can expect to take home in 2026–27

Dermal therapist salary: what the data says

If you are researching a dermal therapist salary in Australia, you will find that no single authoritative figure exists in the public sources used by pay offices. The Australian Bureau of Statistics classifies dermal therapists under occupation 461136, but its main tasks description does not include a pay rate. The Fair Work Commission publishes the Modern Awards Pay Database, which contains minimum rates for award-covered employees, but dermal therapists may fall under different awards depending on their workplace. The Australian Taxation Office provides tax tables and Medicare levy thresholds, but those apply after you know your salary.

Because the search does not support a single number, the best approach is to compare against two key benchmarks: the national minimum wage and full‑time adult ordinary time earnings.

Benchmarks for comparison

From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 an hour and $1,004.90 a week, as set by the Fair Work Ombudsman. This is the legal floor for all employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. A full‑time dermal therapist working 38 hours a week at the minimum wage would earn an annual salary of about $52,255 before tax.

At the other end, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that full‑time adult ordinary time earnings (excluding overtime and employer super) averaged $2,083.70 per week in May 2026, or about $108,352 a year. This figure gives you a sense of where a typical professional salary sits in the broader market. A dermal therapist salary could fall anywhere between these two points, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Estimating your take‑home pay

Once you have a salary figure in mind, you can estimate the amount that reaches your bank account after income tax and the Medicare levy. The 2026–27 tax rates for residents are:

• $0 – $18,200: nil
• $18,201 – $45,000: 15c for each $1 over $18,200
• $45,001 – $135,000: $4,020 plus 30c for each $1 over $45,000
• $135,001 – $190,000: $31,020 plus 37c for each $1 over $135,000
• $190,001 and over: $51,370 plus 45c for each $1 over $190,000

You may also be entitled to the Low Income Tax Offset (LITO), which can reduce your tax by up to $700. The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income, but if you earn below the single‑person thresholds of $28,011 and $35,013, you pay a reduced rate or nothing. For a full‑time salary, you will pay the full 2%.

For example, on a dermal therapist salary of $65,000, your annual tax would be roughly $10,692 plus the Medicare levy of $1,300, leaving a take‑home of about $53,008. That works out to about $1,019 per week or $2,039 per fortnight. These are estimates only; your actual withholding depends on your tax file number declaration and any other income.

Superannuation is extra

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. Super is paid on top of your salary, not deducted from it. When you see a job ad quoting a dermal therapist salary, it is almost always “plus super”. That means your take‑home pay is calculated on the base salary, and your super builds separately in your fund.

Where to find more information

• Take-home pay – use our calculator to estimate your net pay.
• Minimum wage – see the current national minimum and award rates.
• Tax and Medicare – understand how the levy and thresholds apply to you.
• Super – learn about your compulsory super contributions.

Final note

This guide is based on publicly available data from the Australian Taxation Office, Fair Work Commission, and the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It is not a tax assessment. Your individual circumstances – such as HELP/HECS debt, the Medicare levy surcharge, or salary packaging – can change your take‑home amount. Always check with a qualified tax professional or use the ATO’s tax withheld calculator for precise figures.