Your Occupational Therapy Salary: What You Actually Take Home After Tax
The median full-time occupational therapy salary is $1,913 per week ($99,476 annualised), but actual take-home depends on tax brackets and your circumstances.
Your Occupational Therapy Salary: What You Actually Take Home After Tax
If you are an occupational therapist in Australia or considering the profession, you probably want to know not just the headline pay but the amount that lands in your bank account each week or fortnight. This guide walks through the typical occupational therapy salary, how tax and the Medicare levy affect it, and what you can expect as take-home pay.
The Occupational Therapy Salary Picture
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, occupational therapists are in strong demand. The latest data shows 35,600 people employed in the role, with a median age of 33 and a very high female share of 92%. About 63% work full-time hours, while 37% work part-time.
Median Earnings
For full-time occupational therapists, the median weekly earnings before tax are $1,913. That works out to roughly $99,476 a year if you work 52 weeks. The median hourly rate is $50, compared to $47 across all occupations. These figures come from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, and are a reliable benchmark for a typical occupational therapy salary.
Award Rates
Many occupational therapists are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award [MA000027]. Fair Work publishes pay guides that set minimum rates for classifications under this award. From 1 October 2026, minimum pay rates changed for eligible health professionals. If you are early in your career or working in a public health setting, your pay may align with award rates rather than the median. Always check the latest pay guide from Fair Work for your specific classification.
Calculating Your Take-Home Pay
To work out what you actually keep from your occupational therapy salary, you need to subtract income tax and the Medicare levy. The Australian Taxation Office sets the tax rates each year. For 2026–27, the rates 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
- Over $190,000: $51,370 plus 45c for each $1 over $190,000
You may also be eligible for the Low Income Tax Offset (LITO), but at the median occupational therapy salary it phases out completely.
Medicare Levy
The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income. The latest published single-person thresholds are $28,011 and $35,013. If your income is below $28,011 you pay no levy; between $28,011 and $35,013 you pay a reduced rate. Full-time occupational therapists earning the median salary will pay the full 2%.
Example: Median Full-Time Occupational Therapy Salary
Take a gross annual salary of $99,476 (based on $1,913 per week).
- Income tax: $4,020 + 30% × ($99,476 – $45,000) = $4,020 + $16,342.80 = $20,362.80
- Medicare levy: 2% × $99,476 = $1,989.52
- Total deductions: $22,352.32
- Net annual take-home: $99,476 – $22,352.32 = $77,123.68
- Weekly take-home: $77,123.68 ÷ 52 = $1,483
- Fortnightly take-home: $1,483 × 2 = $2,966
This is an estimate only. It excludes HELP/HECS repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, salary sacrifice, and payroll tax-table rounding. Your actual take-home may vary.
Factors That Affect Your Net Pay
- Part-time work: 37% of occupational therapists work part-time. Your weekly earnings will be lower, and your tax may be reduced accordingly.
- Salary packaging: Many public health and not-for-profit employers offer salary packaging, which can reduce your taxable income and increase take-home pay.
- Superannuation: Your employer pays 12% super on top of your base salary (from 1 July 2026). Super is not deducted from your take-home pay; it is an additional benefit.
- Experience and sector: Early-career therapists may earn less than the median, while those in private practice or senior roles may earn more. Always check current award rates and market data.
For a personalised estimate, use the Take-home pay calculator on this site. You can also review the Tax and Medicare page for detailed thresholds and offsets.
Questions
How is the occupational therapy salary taxed in Australia?
Your occupational therapy salary is taxed using the progressive income tax rates for 2026–27. The first $18,200 is tax-free, then 15c per dollar up to $45,000, and 30c per dollar up to $135,000. You also pay the Medicare levy of 2% of your taxable income, unless you qualify for a reduction based on the single thresholds of $28,011 and $35,013. Most full-time occupational therapists will pay the full 2%.
What is the typical take-home pay for an occupational therapist earning the median salary?
For a full-time occupational therapist earning the median $1,913 per week ($99,476 per year), the estimated annual tax is about $20,363 and the Medicare levy is about $1,990. That leaves roughly $77,124 per year, or $1,483 per week. This is before any salary packaging or deductions. Your actual take-home may differ if you work part-time or have other income.
Does the occupational therapy salary include superannuation?
Job advertisements often list a salary 'plus super'. Super is an additional 12% contribution from your employer (from 1 July 2026) on top of your base salary, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. Super is not deducted from your take-home pay; it goes into your super fund separately. When calculating your after-tax income, use the base salary figure before super.