Understanding Your Physiotherapist Salary Melbourne: Take-Home Pay and Award Rates

Physiotherapist Salary Melbourne: What the Award Says

Your physiotherapist salary Melbourne depends on your classification under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. Fair Work sets minimum rates for support services employees (Levels 1–9) and health professional employees (based on AQF level and experience). For support services, hourly rates range from $26.97 (Level 1) to $39.42 (Level 9 pay point 3). Health professional employees earn more: for example, an AQF Level 7 physiotherapist in their first year gets $34.44 per hour, rising to $44.46 after seven years. These are minimums; many employers pay above award.

How Tax Brackets Change Your Fortnightly Pay

Once you know your gross annual salary, the next step is estimating take-home pay. For 2026–27, the tax brackets are:

• $0 – $18,200: Nil
• $18,201 – $45,000: 15c per $1 over $18,200
• $45,001 – $135,000: $4,020 plus 30c per $1 over $45,000
• $135,001 – $190,000: $31,020 plus 37c per $1 over $135,000
• Over $190,000: $51,370 plus 45c per $1 over $190,000

A physiotherapist earning $80,000 would pay $4,020 + 0.30 × ($80,000 – $45,000) = $14,520 in tax. The Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) may reduce tax if your income is under $66,667, but at $80,000 you get no LITO. Your fortnightly tax is about $558.46.

Medicare Levy: The 2% That Hits Most Physiotherapists

The Medicare levy is 2% of taxable income for singles earning more than $35,013. The latest published single-person thresholds are $28,011 (lower) and $35,013 (upper). If you earn between those, you pay 10c per dollar over $28,011. Full-time physiotherapists almost always exceed $35,013, so you pay the full 2%. On $80,000, that’s $1,600 per year, or $61.54 per fortnight. This directly reduces your bank deposit.

Super: Not Deducted from Your Take-Home

Your employer must pay 12% super on top of your base salary from 1 July 2026. If your contract says $80,000 plus super, your take-home is calculated on $80,000. Super goes into your fund, not your bank. If an ad says $80,000 package (including super), your base is about $71,429, and your take-home will be lower. Always clarify whether the figure is base or total package.

Estimating Your Fortnightly Take-Home

Use our Take-home pay calculator to see exactly what lands in your account. For a $80,000 base salary:

• Gross fortnightly: $3,076.92
• Tax: $558.46
• Medicare levy: $61.54
• Net fortnightly: $2,456.92

This excludes HELP/HECS, salary sacrifice, or the Medicare levy surcharge. Your actual amount may vary slightly due to payroll rounding.

Key Takeaways for Your Physiotherapist Salary Melbourne

• Award minimums are a floor; negotiate above them.
• Tax brackets and the Medicare levy take a significant chunk.
• Super is extra, not deducted from your pay.
• Use our Tax and Medicare guide to understand your obligations.

Remember, this is an estimate, not a tax assessment. For personalised advice, consult a tax professional.