Health Professional Pay Rise 2026: New AQF Rates From 1 October
Allied health professionals under the Health Services Award moved to a new pay structure and higher minimum rates from the first full pay period on or after 1 October 2026. Level 1 is now set by the AQF level of the profession’s qualification and years of experience, and nobody on the award on 30 September 2026 is paid less than before. Every figure below is read from determination PR814029, not retyped, and the award text is now consolidated with it.
Published 25 September 2026 by Wage Calculator, updated 2 October 2026. Every figure below is traced to the government page that announced it, with that page’s own date.
The short answer
From the first full pay period starting on or after 1 October 2026, a Level 1 health professional is paid $1,232.70 a week ($32.44 an hour) in the first year at AQF Level 5, rising to $1,755.00 ($46.18 an hour) at AQF Level 9 from the 7th year. Levels 2.1, 2.2, 3 and 4 are $1,945.40, $1,983.20, $1,983.20 and $2,499.10 a week.
Anyone classified under clause 17 on 30 September 2026 is paid the higher of the new rate and their old rate. Further increases follow on 30 June 2027, 30 June 2028, 30 June 2029 and 30 June 2030, with no figures published yet.
Who the rise covers, and who it does not.
Fair Work Commission determination PR814029, made on 7 September 2026 with decision [2026] FWCFB 231 in the gender undervaluation priority awards review, replaced clause 17 of the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027). Clause 17 covers health professional employees: allied health work in the national system where the role needs a relevant qualification to start. The decision calls this the first phase of implementation. A social worker in a private hospital or practice is one of them, and Social Worker Pay Rate sets the new rates for a Bachelor, Honours or Master of Social Work beside the SCHADS Award rate a community sector social worker keeps.
It does not move clause 16, the support services ladder, where a medical receptionist sits, as Receptionist Pay Rate works through. Nurses are on a different award altogether, set out on Nurses Award Pay Rates and Enrolled Nurse Pay Rate, and a pharmacist in a community pharmacy is on Pharmacy Award Pay Rates. Most public hospital allied health staff are paid under a state award or enterprise agreement, which this determination does not touch.
Level 1 is now set by AQF level and years of experience.
Until then, a Level 1 health professional sat on one of six pay points, entered by qualification. From the first full pay period on or after 1 October 2026, Level 1 has five AQF levels, each with four experience bands. The AQF level is the one listed for the profession in the award’s Schedule B, or the qualification the profession or the employer requires, and the band counts years of experience in the profession at Level 1, with any employer.
| AQF level | 1st year | 2nd to 3rd year | 4th to 6th year | 7th year+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AQF Level 5 | $1,232.70$32.44 an hour | $1,308.80$34.44 an hour | $1,426.00$37.53 an hour | $1,541.30$40.56 an hour |
| AQF Level 6 | $1,232.70$32.44 an hour | $1,308.80$34.44 an hour | $1,483.30$39.03 an hour | $1,659.30$43.67 an hour |
| AQF Level 7 | $1,308.80$34.44 an hour | $1,409.00$37.08 an hour | $1,565.30$41.19 an hour | $1,689.50$44.46 an hour |
| AQF Level 8 | $1,337.10$35.19 an hour | $1,444.90$38.02 an hour | $1,584.90$41.71 an hour | $1,721.40$45.30 an hour |
| AQF Level 9 | $1,444.90$38.02 an hour | $1,545.20$40.66 an hour | $1,659.30$43.67 an hour | $1,755.00$46.18 an hour |
Weekly rates are clause 17.1 of the determination. Hourly is the weekly rate divided by 38, which the determination prints in Schedule C. AQF Level 7, 1st year, $1,308.80 a week, is also the new standard rate for allowances.
Levels 2, 3 and 4 are set by role.
Level 2
A senior clinician, specialist, supervisor or educator. Level 2.1 is $1,945.40 a week ($51.19 an hour) with less than five years in that role, and Level 2.2 is $1,983.20 ($52.19) with five years or more.
Levels 3 and 4
Level 3, an advanced clinician, senior specialist or section manager, is $1,983.20 a week ($52.19 an hour). Level 4, a manager, is $2,499.10 ($65.77).
The old Level 3 paid $1,743.90 to $1,983.20 a week across five pay points, and Level 4 paid $2,111.60 to $2,705.10 across four. Under clause J.4.2 a Level 3 employee moves to Level 2.1, 2.2 or 3 by role, and a Level 4 employee stays at Level 4. Clause J.4.3 keeps Level 3 pay point 5 at $1,983.20 and Level 4 pay point 4 at $2,705.10 if the new rate is lower. Casual rates for all 24 classifications, with the 25% loading, are on the award page.
Old rate against the new rate, by translation table.
Clause J.4.1 of the determination gives 14 translation tables, one for each AQF level and entry qualification. Each maps a pay point held on 30 September 2026 to its new Level 1 band. Across all 118 rows, 99 rise, by $9.90 to $271.80 a week, up to 21.3%. The other 19 would fall under the new structure, so the old rate is kept.
AQF Level 5, UG 2 qualification entry (clause J.4.1(a))
| On 30 September 2026 | Weekly then | From 1 October 2026 | Minimum paid | Rise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 pay point 1 (UG 2 qualification) | $1,174.00 | AQF Level 5, 1st year | $1,232.70 | $58.70 (5.0%) |
| Level 1 pay point 2 | $1,219.50 | AQF Level 5, 2nd to 3rd year | $1,308.80 | $89.30 (7.3%) |
| Level 1 pay point 3 | $1,273.40 | AQF Level 5, 2nd to 3rd year | $1,308.80 | $35.40 (2.8%) |
| Level 1 pay point 4 | $1,317.20 | AQF Level 5, 4th to 6th year | $1,426.00 | $108.80 (8.3%) |
| Level 1 pay point 5 | $1,435.00 | AQF Level 5, 4th to 6th year | $1,435.00old rate kept | None |
| Level 1 pay point 6 | $1,485.90 | AQF Level 5, 4th to 6th year | $1,485.90old rate kept | None |
| Level 2 pay point 1 | $1,493.90 | AQF Level 5, 7th year+ | $1,541.30 | $47.40 (3.2%) |
| Level 2 pay point 2 | $1,548.30 | AQF Level 5, 7th year+ | $1,548.30old rate kept | None |
| Level 2 pay point 3 | $1,607.40 | AQF Level 5, 7th year+ | $1,607.40old rate kept | None |
| Level 2 pay point 4 | $1,671.40 | AQF Level 5, 7th year+ | $1,671.40old rate kept | None |
AQF Level 6, UG 2 qualification entry (clause J.4.1(b))
| On 30 September 2026 | Weekly then | From 1 October 2026 | Minimum paid | Rise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 pay point 1 (UG 2 qualification) | $1,174.00 | AQF Level 6, 1st year | $1,232.70 | $58.70 (5.0%) |
| Level 1 pay point 2 | $1,219.50 | AQF Level 6, 2nd to 3rd year | $1,308.80 | $89.30 (7.3%) |
| Level 1 pay point 3 | $1,273.40 | AQF Level 6, 2nd to 3rd year | $1,308.80 | $35.40 (2.8%) |
| Level 1 pay point 4 | $1,317.20 | AQF Level 6, 4th to 6th year | $1,483.30 | $166.10 (12.6%) |
| Level 1 pay point 5 | $1,435.00 | AQF Level 6, 4th to 6th year | $1,483.30 | $48.30 (3.4%) |
| Level 1 pay point 6 | $1,485.90 | AQF Level 6, 4th to 6th year | $1,485.90old rate kept | None |
| Level 2 pay point 1 | $1,493.90 | AQF Level 6, 7th year+ | $1,659.30 | $165.40 (11.1%) |
| Level 2 pay point 2 | $1,548.30 | AQF Level 6, 7th year+ | $1,659.30 | $111.00 (7.2%) |
| Level 2 pay point 3 | $1,607.40 | AQF Level 6, 7th year+ | $1,659.30 | $51.90 (3.2%) |
| Level 2 pay point 4 | $1,671.40 | AQF Level 6, 7th year+ | $1,671.40old rate kept | None |
AQF Level 6, 3-year degree entry (clause J.4.1(c))
| On 30 September 2026 | Weekly then | From 1 October 2026 | Minimum paid | Rise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 pay point 2 (3-year degree entry) | $1,219.50 | AQF Level 6, 1st year | $1,232.70 | $13.20 (1.1%) |
| Level 1 pay point 3 | $1,273.40 | AQF Level 6, 2nd to 3rd year | $1,308.80 | $35.40 (2.8%) |
| Level 1 pay point 4 | $1,317.20 | AQF Level 6, 2nd to 3rd year | $1,317.20old rate kept | None |
| Level 1 pay point 5 | $1,435.00 | AQF Level 6, 4th to 6th year | $1,483.30 | $48.30 (3.4%) |
| Level 1 pay point 6 | $1,485.90 | AQF Level 6, 4th to 6th year | $1,485.90old rate kept | None |
| Level 2 pay point 1 | $1,493.90 | AQF Level 6, 4th to 6th year | $1,493.90old rate kept | None |
| Level 2 pay point 2 | $1,548.30 | AQF Level 6, 7th year+ | $1,659.30 | $111.00 (7.2%) |
| Level 2 pay point 3 | $1,607.40 | AQF Level 6, 7th year+ | $1,659.30 | $51.90 (3.2%) |
| Level 2 pay point 4 | $1,671.40 | AQF Level 6, 7th year+ | $1,671.40old rate kept | None |
AQF Level 7, UG 2 qualification entry (clause J.4.1(d))
| On 30 September 2026 | Weekly then | From 1 October 2026 | Minimum paid | Rise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 pay point 1 (UG 2 qualification) | $1,174.00 | AQF Level 7, 1st year | $1,308.80 | $134.80 (11.5%) |
| Level 1 pay point 2 | $1,219.50 | AQF Level 7, 2nd to 3rd year | $1,409.00 | $189.50 (15.5%) |
| Level 1 pay point 3 | $1,273.40 | AQF Level 7, 2nd to 3rd year | $1,409.00 | $135.60 (10.6%) |
| Level 1 pay point 4 | $1,317.20 | AQF Level 7, 4th to 6th year | $1,565.30 | $248.10 (18.8%) |
| Level 1 pay point 5 | $1,435.00 | AQF Level 7, 4th to 6th year | $1,565.30 | $130.30 (9.1%) |
| Level 1 pay point 6 | $1,485.90 | AQF Level 7, 4th to 6th year | $1,565.30 | $79.40 (5.3%) |
| Level 2 pay point 1 | $1,493.90 | AQF Level 7, 7th year+ | $1,689.50 | $195.60 (13.1%) |
| Level 2 pay point 2 | $1,548.30 | AQF Level 7, 7th year+ | $1,689.50 | $141.20 (9.1%) |
| Level 2 pay point 3 | $1,607.40 | AQF Level 7, 7th year+ | $1,689.50 | $82.10 (5.1%) |
| Level 2 pay point 4 | $1,671.40 | AQF Level 7, 7th year+ | $1,689.50 | $18.10 (1.1%) |
AQF Level 7, 3-year degree entry (clause J.4.1(e))
| On 30 September 2026 | Weekly then | From 1 October 2026 | Minimum paid | Rise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 pay point 2 (3-year degree entry) | $1,219.50 | AQF Level 7, 1st year | $1,308.80 | $89.30 (7.3%) |
| Level 1 pay point 3 | $1,273.40 | AQF Level 7, 2nd to 3rd year | $1,409.00 | $135.60 (10.6%) |
| Level 1 pay point 4 | $1,317.20 | AQF Level 7, 2nd to 3rd year | $1,409.00 | $91.80 (7.0%) |
| Level 1 pay point 5 | $1,435.00 | AQF Level 7, 4th to 6th year | $1,565.30 | $130.30 (9.1%) |
| Level 1 pay point 6 | $1,485.90 | AQF Level 7, 4th to 6th year | $1,565.30 | $79.40 (5.3%) |
| Level 2 pay point 1 | $1,493.90 | AQF Level 7, 4th to 6th year | $1,565.30 | $71.40 (4.8%) |
| Level 2 pay point 2 | $1,548.30 | AQF Level 7, 7th year+ | $1,689.50 | $141.20 (9.1%) |
| Level 2 pay point 3 | $1,607.40 | AQF Level 7, 7th year+ | $1,689.50 | $82.10 (5.1%) |
| Level 2 pay point 4 | $1,671.40 | AQF Level 7, 7th year+ | $1,689.50 | $18.10 (1.1%) |
AQF Level 7, 4-year degree entry (clause J.4.1(f))
| On 30 September 2026 | Weekly then | From 1 October 2026 | Minimum paid | Rise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 pay point 3 (4-year degree entry) | $1,273.40 | AQF Level 7, 1st year | $1,308.80 | $35.40 (2.8%) |
| Level 1 pay point 4 | $1,317.20 | AQF Level 7, 2nd to 3rd year | $1,409.00 | $91.80 (7.0%) |
| Level 1 pay point 5 | $1,435.00 | AQF Level 7, 2nd to 3rd year | $1,435.00old rate kept | None |
| Level 1 pay point 6 | $1,485.90 | AQF Level 7, 4th to 6th year | $1,565.30 | $79.40 (5.3%) |
| Level 2 pay point 1 | $1,493.90 | AQF Level 7, 4th to 6th year | $1,565.30 | $71.40 (4.8%) |
| Level 2 pay point 2 | $1,548.30 | AQF Level 7, 4th to 6th year | $1,565.30 | $17.00 (1.1%) |
| Level 2 pay point 3 | $1,607.40 | AQF Level 7, 7th year+ | $1,689.50 | $82.10 (5.1%) |
| Level 2 pay point 4 | $1,671.40 | AQF Level 7, 7th year+ | $1,689.50 | $18.10 (1.1%) |
AQF Level 7, Masters degree entry (clause J.4.1(g))
| On 30 September 2026 | Weekly then | From 1 October 2026 | Minimum paid | Rise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 pay point 4 (Masters degree entry) | $1,317.20 | AQF Level 7, 1st year | $1,317.20old rate kept | None |
| Level 1 pay point 5 | $1,435.00 | AQF Level 7, 2nd to 3rd year | $1,435.00old rate kept | None |
| Level 1 pay point 6 | $1,485.90 | AQF Level 7, 2nd to 3rd year | $1,485.90old rate kept | None |
| Level 2 pay point 1 | $1,493.90 | AQF Level 7, 4th to 6th year | $1,565.30 | $71.40 (4.8%) |
| Level 2 pay point 2 | $1,548.30 | AQF Level 7, 4th to 6th year | $1,565.30 | $17.00 (1.1%) |
| Level 2 pay point 3 | $1,607.40 | AQF Level 7, 4th to 6th year | $1,607.40old rate kept | None |
| Level 2 pay point 4 | $1,671.40 | AQF Level 7, 7th year+ | $1,689.50 | $18.10 (1.1%) |
AQF Level 8, 3-year degree entry (clause J.4.1(h))
| On 30 September 2026 | Weekly then | From 1 October 2026 | Minimum paid | Rise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 pay point 2 (3-year degree entry) | $1,219.50 | AQF Level 8, 1st year | $1,337.10 | $117.60 (9.6%) |
| Level 1 pay point 3 | $1,273.40 | AQF Level 8, 2nd to 3rd year | $1,444.90 | $171.50 (13.5%) |
| Level 1 pay point 4 | $1,317.20 | AQF Level 8, 2nd to 3rd year | $1,444.90 | $127.70 (9.7%) |
| Level 1 pay point 5 | $1,435.00 | AQF Level 8, 4th to 6th year | $1,584.90 | $149.90 (10.4%) |
| Level 1 pay point 6 | $1,485.90 | AQF Level 8, 4th to 6th year | $1,584.90 | $99.00 (6.7%) |
| Level 2 pay point 1 | $1,493.90 | AQF Level 8, 4th to 6th year | $1,584.90 | $91.00 (6.1%) |
| Level 2 pay point 2 | $1,548.30 | AQF Level 8, 7th year+ | $1,721.40 | $173.10 (11.2%) |
| Level 2 pay point 3 | $1,607.40 | AQF Level 8, 7th year+ | $1,721.40 | $114.00 (7.1%) |
| Level 2 pay point 4 | $1,671.40 | AQF Level 8, 7th year+ | $1,721.40 | $50.00 (3.0%) |
AQF Level 8, 4-year degree entry (clause J.4.1(i))
| On 30 September 2026 | Weekly then | From 1 October 2026 | Minimum paid | Rise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 pay point 3 (4-year degree entry) | $1,273.40 | AQF Level 8, 1st year | $1,337.10 | $63.70 (5.0%) |
| Level 1 pay point 4 | $1,317.20 | AQF Level 8, 2nd to 3rd year | $1,444.90 | $127.70 (9.7%) |
| Level 1 pay point 5 | $1,435.00 | AQF Level 8, 2nd to 3rd year | $1,444.90 | $9.90 (0.7%) |
| Level 1 pay point 6 | $1,485.90 | AQF Level 8, 4th to 6th year | $1,584.90 | $99.00 (6.7%) |
| Level 2 pay point 1 | $1,493.90 | AQF Level 8, 4th to 6th year | $1,584.90 | $91.00 (6.1%) |
| Level 2 pay point 2 | $1,548.30 | AQF Level 8, 4th to 6th year | $1,584.90 | $36.60 (2.4%) |
| Level 2 pay point 3 | $1,607.40 | AQF Level 8, 7th year+ | $1,721.40 | $114.00 (7.1%) |
| Level 2 pay point 4 | $1,671.40 | AQF Level 8, 7th year+ | $1,721.40 | $50.00 (3.0%) |
AQF Level 8, Masters degree entry (clause J.4.1(j))
| On 30 September 2026 | Weekly then | From 1 October 2026 | Minimum paid | Rise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 pay point 4 (Masters degree entry) | $1,317.20 | AQF Level 8, 1st year | $1,337.10 | $19.90 (1.5%) |
| Level 1 pay point 5 | $1,435.00 | AQF Level 8, 2nd to 3rd year | $1,444.90 | $9.90 (0.7%) |
| Level 1 pay point 6 | $1,485.90 | AQF Level 8, 2nd to 3rd year | $1,485.90old rate kept | None |
| Level 2 pay point 1 | $1,493.90 | AQF Level 8, 4th to 6th year | $1,584.90 | $91.00 (6.1%) |
| Level 2 pay point 2 | $1,548.30 | AQF Level 8, 4th to 6th year | $1,584.90 | $36.60 (2.4%) |
| Level 2 pay point 3 | $1,607.40 | AQF Level 8, 4th to 6th year | $1,607.40old rate kept | None |
| Level 2 pay point 4 | $1,671.40 | AQF Level 8, 7th year+ | $1,721.40 | $50.00 (3.0%) |
AQF Level 9, 3-year degree entry (clause J.4.1(k))
| On 30 September 2026 | Weekly then | From 1 October 2026 | Minimum paid | Rise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 pay point 2 (3-year degree entry) | $1,219.50 | AQF Level 9, 1st year | $1,444.90 | $225.40 (18.5%) |
| Level 1 pay point 3 | $1,273.40 | AQF Level 9, 2nd to 3rd year | $1,545.20 | $271.80 (21.3%) |
| Level 1 pay point 4 | $1,317.20 | AQF Level 9, 2nd to 3rd year | $1,545.20 | $228.00 (17.3%) |
| Level 1 pay point 5 | $1,435.00 | AQF Level 9, 4th to 6th year | $1,659.30 | $224.30 (15.6%) |
| Level 1 pay point 6 | $1,485.90 | AQF Level 9, 4th to 6th year | $1,659.30 | $173.40 (11.7%) |
| Level 2 pay point 1 | $1,493.90 | AQF Level 9, 4th to 6th year | $1,659.30 | $165.40 (11.1%) |
| Level 2 pay point 2 | $1,548.30 | AQF Level 9, 7th year+ | $1,755.00 | $206.70 (13.4%) |
| Level 2 pay point 3 | $1,607.40 | AQF Level 9, 7th year+ | $1,755.00 | $147.60 (9.2%) |
| Level 2 pay point 4 | $1,671.40 | AQF Level 9, 7th year+ | $1,755.00 | $83.60 (5.0%) |
AQF Level 9, 4-year degree entry (clause J.4.1(l))
| On 30 September 2026 | Weekly then | From 1 October 2026 | Minimum paid | Rise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 pay point 3 (4-year degree entry) | $1,273.40 | AQF Level 9, 1st year | $1,444.90 | $171.50 (13.5%) |
| Level 1 pay point 4 | $1,317.20 | AQF Level 9, 2nd to 3rd year | $1,545.20 | $228.00 (17.3%) |
| Level 1 pay point 5 | $1,435.00 | AQF Level 9, 2nd to 3rd year | $1,545.20 | $110.20 (7.7%) |
| Level 1 pay point 6 | $1,485.90 | AQF Level 9, 4th to 6th year | $1,659.30 | $173.40 (11.7%) |
| Level 2 pay point 1 | $1,493.90 | AQF Level 9, 4th to 6th year | $1,659.30 | $165.40 (11.1%) |
| Level 2 pay point 2 | $1,548.30 | AQF Level 9, 4th to 6th year | $1,659.30 | $111.00 (7.2%) |
| Level 2 pay point 3 | $1,607.40 | AQF Level 9, 7th year+ | $1,755.00 | $147.60 (9.2%) |
| Level 2 pay point 4 | $1,671.40 | AQF Level 9, 7th year+ | $1,755.00 | $83.60 (5.0%) |
AQF Level 9, Masters degree entry (clause J.4.1(m))
| On 30 September 2026 | Weekly then | From 1 October 2026 | Minimum paid | Rise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 pay point 4 (Masters degree entry) | $1,317.20 | AQF Level 9, 1st year | $1,444.90 | $127.70 (9.7%) |
| Level 1 pay point 5 | $1,435.00 | AQF Level 9, 2nd to 3rd year | $1,545.20 | $110.20 (7.7%) |
| Level 1 pay point 6 | $1,485.90 | AQF Level 9, 2nd to 3rd year | $1,545.20 | $59.30 (4.0%) |
| Level 2 pay point 1 | $1,493.90 | AQF Level 9, 4th to 6th year | $1,659.30 | $165.40 (11.1%) |
| Level 2 pay point 2 | $1,548.30 | AQF Level 9, 4th to 6th year | $1,659.30 | $111.00 (7.2%) |
| Level 2 pay point 3 | $1,607.40 | AQF Level 9, 4th to 6th year | $1,659.30 | $51.90 (3.2%) |
| Level 2 pay point 4 | $1,671.40 | AQF Level 9, 7th year+ | $1,755.00 | $83.60 (5.0%) |
AQF Level 9, PhD entry (clause J.4.1(n))
| On 30 September 2026 | Weekly then | From 1 October 2026 | Minimum paid | Rise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 pay point 5 (PhD entry) | $1,435.00 | AQF Level 9, 1st year | $1,444.90 | $9.90 (0.7%) |
| Level 1 pay point 6 | $1,485.90 | AQF Level 9, 2nd to 3rd year | $1,545.20 | $59.30 (4.0%) |
| Level 2 pay point 1 | $1,493.90 | AQF Level 9, 2nd to 3rd year | $1,545.20 | $51.30 (3.4%) |
| Level 2 pay point 2 | $1,548.30 | AQF Level 9, 4th to 6th year | $1,659.30 | $111.00 (7.2%) |
| Level 2 pay point 3 | $1,607.40 | AQF Level 9, 4th to 6th year | $1,659.30 | $51.90 (3.2%) |
| Level 2 pay point 4 (6th year) | $1,671.40 | AQF Level 9, 4th to 6th year | $1,671.40old rate kept | None |
| Level 2 pay point 4 (7th year+) | $1,671.40 | AQF Level 9, 7th year+ | $1,755.00 | $83.60 (5.0%) |
Minimum paid is the higher of the new rate and the rate held on 30 September 2026. The largest rise is Level 1 pay point 3 at AQF Level 9 with 3-year degree entry, which moves from $1,273.40 to $1,545.20 a week.
Worked example: the Ombudsman's dietitian.
The Fair Work Ombudsman gives the example of Victor, a dietitian with a masters degree and 2 years with his employer, paid at Level 1 pay point 5 up to 30 September 2026. A masters degree is AQF Level 9, so clause J.4.1(m) applies, and 2 years of experience put him at AQF Level 9, 2nd to 3rd year.
His minimum rose from $1,435.00 to $1,545.20 a week, or $37.76 to $40.66 an hour, from the first full pay period on or after 1 October 2026.
The higher of the two: nobody's rate falls.
Clause J.4.3
An employee classified under clause 17 on 30 September 2026 is paid the higher of the new rate and the rate they were on that day. The determination prints 12 of these retained rates, from $1,174.00 to $2,705.10 a week, and each equals the clause 17 rate in force on 30 September 2026.
Where it bites
Mostly at the top of the old Level 1 and Level 2. At AQF Level 5, Level 2 pay point 4 was $1,671.40 on 30 September 2026 and its new band, AQF Level 5, 7th year+, is $1,541.30, so $1,671.40 is kept as the minimum.
When the new rate reaches your pay.
The determination takes effect for each employee from the start of their first full pay period that starts on or after 1 October 2026. 1 October 2026 is a Thursday.
- Weekly, Monday to Sunday: the week that began on Monday 28 September 2026 finishes on the old rate. The new rate starts on Monday 5 October 2026.
- Fortnightly, from Monday 28 September 2026: that fortnight finishes on the old rate. The new rate starts on Monday 12 October 2026.
- A pay period that starts on Thursday 1 October 2026 gets the new rate that day.
The standard rate for allowances moved from $1,219.50 to $1,308.80 on the same timing, so the on-call allowance is now $26.34 per 24 hours Monday to Saturday and $52.56 on a Sunday or public holiday.
What comes next.
1 December 2026
Home care disability workers and some 18 to 20 year olds in three other awards get increases two months later, set out on Pay Changes from 1 December 2026.
1 January 2027
The Fair Work Ombudsman says some dental assistants and pathology collectors under this award get another increase from this date. It has published no figures for it, and their current tables stop applying after 31 December 2026.
30 June 2027 to 30 June 2030
The Commission says the rest of the health professional increase comes in four more phases, on 30 June 2027, 30 June 2028, 30 June 2029 and 30 June 2030. No rate for any of them is published yet, so none is given here.
Until the first full pay period on or after 1 October 2026, the old clause 17 ladder applied, from $1,174.00 a week at Level 1 pay point 1 to $2,705.10 at Level 4 pay point 4. The new ladder, the support services rates and every casual figure are on Health Services Award Pay Rates. The same review lifted two other awards earlier this year, covered in Childcare and Pharmacy Award Rises.
Where these figures come from.
Provenance
Verified- Start date
- First full pay period on or after 1 October 2026
- Determination
- PR814029, made 7 September 2026
- Decision
- [2026] FWCFB 231
- New classifications
- 24
- Translation examples
- 14 tables, 118 rows
- Pay guide agreement
- 24 of 24
- Later phases
- 30 June 2027, 30 June 2028, 30 June 2029 and 30 June 2030
- Fair Work Commission, determination PR814029The page gave its own last updated date as 7 September 2026. Retrieved 25 September 2026.
- Fair Work Commission, decision [2026] FWCFB 231The page gave its own last updated date as 7 September 2026. Retrieved 25 September 2026.
- Fair Work Commission, Minimum wage increases for health professional employeesThe page gave its own last updated date as 24 September 2026. Retrieved 25 September 2026.
- Fair Work Ombudsman, MA000027 pay guide from 1 October 2026The page gave its own last updated date as 26 August 2026. Retrieved 25 September 2026.
- Fair Work Ombudsman, Changes to the Health Services AwardThe page gave its own last updated date as 15 September 2026. Retrieved 25 September 2026.
Nothing on this page is copied from another pay site, and no figure here was taken from a search result summary. How every rate on this site is sourced and checked is set out on the Methodology page.
Health Professional Pay Rise 2026 questions, answered.
How much is the health professional pay rise from 1 October 2026?
It depends on where you translate to, because the whole clause 17 structure was replaced, not lifted by one percentage. Across the 118 translation examples in clause J.4.1 of determination PR814029, the weekly minimum rises by up to $271.80, or 21.3%, and in 19 of them it does not rise at all because the old rate is kept. A Level 1 health professional is now paid $1,232.70 to $1,755.00 a week, and Levels 2.1 to 4 run from $1,945.40 to $2,499.10. The rates in force for every classification, support services included, are on Health Services Award Pay Rates, and the Wage Calculator turns any of them into take-home pay after tax.
Who gets the health professional pay rise?
Health professional employees covered by clause 17 of the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027). That is allied health work in the national system, such as private practice, where the role needs a relevant qualification to start. It does not reach support services staff under clause 16, nurses, community pharmacists, or anyone paid under a state award or enterprise agreement, which is where most public hospital allied health staff sit.
Can my pay go down under the new health professional structure?
No. Under clause J.4.3, an employee classified under clause 17 on 30 September 2026 is paid the higher of their new rate and the rate they were on that day. In 19 of the 118 translation examples the new rate is lower than the old one, and the old rate is kept as the minimum.
When does the new rate start on my payslip?
From the start of your first full pay period that begins on or after 1 October 2026. 1 October 2026 is a Thursday, so on a weekly cycle running Monday to Sunday the week already under way finishes on the old rate and the new rate starts on Monday 5 October 2026. On a fortnightly cycle that began on Monday 28 September 2026, the new rate starts on Monday 12 October 2026.
Are there more health professional pay rises after October 2026?
Yes. The Fair Work Commission says the changes come in five phases: 1 October 2026, then 30 June 2027, 30 June 2028, 30 June 2029 and 30 June 2030. No rate for any of the later phases has been published yet, so none is given here. Separately, the Fair Work Ombudsman says some dental assistants and pathology collectors get another increase from 1 January 2027, also with no figures published yet.
See what the new rate leaves you with.
Enter your new hourly rate and your hours to work out take-home pay after tax.
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