From 1 October 2026 (FWC determination PR814029), Health Professional Level 1 is classified by the AQF level of the profession's standard minimum qualification (Schedule B: AQF 5 to 9) and years of experience in the profession (1st year, 2nd–3rd, 4th–6th, 7th+), with no pay points. Levels 2.1, 2.2, 3 and 4 are single rates defined by role. Full-time rates run from $32.44 to $65.77 an hour. Anyone employed as a health professional on 30 September 2026 is paid the higher of their translated rate and their previous rate (clause J.4.3). Support services, dental assistant and pathology collector rates are unchanged.
Rates current as at 2026-10-01 (FWC determination PR814029 (health professional restructure, first full pay period on or after 1 October 2026); support services, dental assistant and pathology collector rates per the 1 July 2026 Annual Wage Review), sourced from the Fair Work Ombudsman Pay Guide MA000027. Next review 2027-06-30.
Applies from: first full pay period on or after 1 October 2026
Who changes: health professional stream only
Level 1: AQF level (5–9) x years of experience in the profession — no pay points
Levels 2.1, 2.2, 3, 4: single rates by role ($51.19, $52.19, $52.19, $65.77/hr)
Existing staff: higher of translated rate and 30 September 2026 rate (cl. J.4.3)
Unchanged: support services, dental, pathology, penalties, allowances
What Changed and Why
The Fair Work Commission's Gender-based undervaluation – priority awards review found that the health professional minimum rates in MA000027 had not properly valued the qualifications, skill and responsibility of the work. Its determination PR814029, issued on 7 September 2026, replaces clause 17, the Schedule A.2 definitions and Schedule B, and adds translation rules in Schedule J.4. It applies from the first full pay period on or after 1 October 2026.
Only the health professional stream is affected. Support services (Levels 1–9), dental assistants and pathology collectors keep the rates set on 1 July 2026 (the dental and pathology changes happened separately on 1 April 2026). The Fair Work Ombudsman published the new Pay Guide on 26 August 2026.
Level 1: AQF Level x Years of Experience
Level 1 is a practising health professional. Their minimum rate is now set by two things: the AQF level of the standard minimum qualification for their profession, listed in the award's new Schedule B, and their years of experience in the profession at Level 1 with any employer. Experience is not tenure with you. The old rule that a part-time employee needed 1,824 hours before moving up no longer applies.
| Profession (Schedule B) | AQF level |
|---|---|
| Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Podiatrist, Pharmacist, Exercise Physiologist, Dental Hygienist, Oral Health Therapist, Medical Imaging Technologist | AQF 7 |
| Sonographer, Medical Librarian, Biomedical Engineer | AQF 8 |
| Psychologist, Chiropractor, Osteopath, Audiologist, Music Therapist, Clinical Perfusionist | AQF 9 |
| Remedial Masseur, Aromatherapist, Reflexologist, Medical Laboratory Technician, Biomedical Technologist | AQF 5 |
| Myotherapist | AQF 6 |
| Counsellor, Social Worker, Dietitian, Speech Pathologist, Health Information Manager, Radiation Therapist | Range listed — see clause B.2 |
Selected entries from the 47 professions in Schedule B. Where a range is listed, clause B.2 picks the level from the qualification held; a higher qualification required by the employer always wins.
| Level 1 | 1st year | 2nd–3rd year | 4th–6th year | 7th year+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AQF Level 5 | $1,232.70 $32.44/hr | $1,308.80 $34.44/hr | $1,426.00 $37.53/hr | $1,541.30 $40.56/hr |
| AQF Level 6 | $1,232.70 $32.44/hr | $1,308.80 $34.44/hr | $1,483.30 $39.03/hr | $1,659.30 $43.67/hr |
| AQF Level 7 | $1,308.80 $34.44/hr | $1,409.00 $37.08/hr | $1,565.30 $41.19/hr | $1,689.50 $44.46/hr |
| AQF Level 8 | $1,337.10 $35.19/hr | $1,444.90 $38.02/hr | $1,584.90 $41.71/hr | $1,721.40 $45.30/hr |
| AQF Level 9 | $1,444.90 $38.02/hr | $1,545.20 $40.66/hr | $1,659.30 $43.67/hr | $1,755.00 $46.18/hr |
Full-time weekly minimum (hourly below). Casual rates add 25%: $40.55 to $57.73 an hour across Level 1. Source: FWO Pay Guide MA000027 published 26 August 2026, clause 17.1.
Levels 2.1, 2.2, 3 and 4: By Role
Above Level 1 the structure is about the job, not the years. A Level 2 employee is a Senior Clinician, Specialist, Supervisor or Educator as defined in Schedule A.2.2, split into 2.1 and 2.2 by time spent performing Level 2 duties. Level 3 is an Advanced Clinician, Senior Specialist or Section Manager who has been appointed to that role. Level 4 is a Manager.
| Level | Who | Weekly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 2.1 | Senior Clinician, Specialist, Supervisor or Educator — under 5 years performing Level 2 duties | $1,945.40 | $51.19 |
| Level 2.2 | Senior Clinician, Specialist, Supervisor or Educator — 5 years or more performing Level 2 duties | $1,983.20 | $52.19 |
| Level 3 | Advanced Clinician, Senior Specialist or Section Manager (appointed to the role) | $1,983.20 | $52.19 |
| Level 4 | Manager with resource, budget and strategic accountability | $2,499.10 | $65.77 |
Level 2.2 and Level 3 are deliberately equal in this first stage. Casual: $63.99, $65.24, $65.24 and $82.21 an hour. Source: clause 17.2, Schedule A.2.
Staff Employed on 30 September 2026: Translation and Retained Rates
Anyone classified as a health professional under the award on 30 September 2026 is translated under Schedule J.4. Old Levels 1 and 2 translate by the profession's AQF level and its entry qualification pathway; the award's own tables cover UG2, three-year degree, four-year degree, masters and PhD entry. For example, a physiotherapist (AQF 7, four-year degree entry) on old pay point 3 becomes Level 1 – AQF Level 7 – 1st year, and on pay point 4 becomes 2nd–3rd year. Old Level 3 translates by duties: Senior Clinician, Specialist, Supervisor or Educator work becomes Level 2.1 or 2.2, and Advanced Clinician, Senior Specialist or Section Manager work stays Level 3. Old Level 4 stays Level 4.
Because some translations land below the old rate, clause J.4.3 retains the previous rate: the employee is paid the higher of their translated rate and their 30 September 2026 rate. The clearest case is old Level 4 pay point 4 at $71.19 an hour against the new Level 4 at $65.77.
| Classification on 30 September 2026 | Retained weekly | Retained hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 pay points 1 to 6 | $1,174.00 to $1,485.90 | $30.89 to $39.10 |
| Level 2 pay points 1 to 4 | $1,493.90 to $1,671.40 | $39.31 to $43.98 |
| Level 3 pay point 5 | $1,983.20 | $52.19 |
| Level 4 pay point 4 | $2,705.10 | $71.19 |
Clause J.4.3. Level 3 pay points 1 to 4 and Level 4 pay points 1 to 3 are not retained because every translation for them pays more.
The Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay Guide lists thirteen translation cases where its tables must not be used for this reason. Fitz HR's Award Wizard asks whether the person was on the award on 30 September 2026 and applies the higher rate automatically.
What Practice Owners Must Do
- Identify your first full pay period on or after 1 October 2026.
- For every health professional, record the profession, AQF level under Schedule B and years of experience in the profession, or the Level 2–4 role they are appointed to.
- For staff employed on 30 September 2026, record their previous classification and compare the translated rate with the retained rate. Pay the higher.
- Update base rates in payroll, then recalculate penalties, casual loading and overtime off the new base.
- Issue a classification letter or contract variation so the basis of each rate is documented.
- Check any annualised wage arrangement still covers what the award now requires (arrangements made with a Level 2 employee before 1 October continue under clause J.4.4).
What Has Not Changed
Saturday and Sunday remain 150% (175% casual), public holidays 250% (275% casual), the Monday–Friday shift loading 15%, overtime 150% for the first two hours then 200%, casual loading 25% and the casual minimum engagement 3 hours. Every allowance keeps the same dollar value; the award's standard rate is simply re-based to the Level 1 – AQF Level 7 – 1st year weekly rate of $1,308.80. Support services, dental assistant and pathology collector rates are exactly as they were on 1 July 2026.
What Comes Next
This is the first of a staged correction. The Commission's May 2026 decision ([2026] FWCFB 123) provides for further increases to health professional minimum rates in stages, with the remaining stages operating from 30 June in 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030, in addition to each Annual Wage Review. Retained rates under clause J.4.3 stay fixed at their 30 September 2026 values, so they will be overtaken as the translated rates rise.
Common Mistakes That Trigger Audits
Frequently Asked Questions
What changed in the Health Professionals Award on 1 October 2026?
How do I work out a health professional's AQF level?
Do existing health professionals get a pay cut if their new level is lower?
What is the difference between Level 2.1 and Level 2.2?
Did dental assistant or pathology collector rates change on 1 October 2026?
Will there be more increases for health professionals?
Reclassify Your Health Professionals — Correctly, in Minutes
Fitz HR's Award Wizard walks the new structure with you: profession, AQF level, years of experience, then the retained-rate check for anyone employed on 30 September 2026. Rates from the 26 August 2026 Pay Guide, verified to the cent.
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