Health Professionals Award Minimum Wage Increase 2026: 4.75% Rise (MA000027)

The Fair Work Commission increased modern award minimum wages by 4.75%, with a targeted floor ensuring the lowest ongoing award rate is at least $26.44/hr ($1,004.90/week). Under the Health Professionals Award MA000027, a Support Services Level 1 employee is $26.97/hr. The increase applies from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026. Because penalties, casual loading and overtime are multiples of the base rate, those dollar amounts rise too.

Rates current as at 2026-07-01 (Annual Wage Review), sourced from the Fair Work Ombudsman Pay Guide MA000027. Next review 2027-07-01.

Quick Reference — Health Professionals Award Wage Rise 2026

Headline increase: 4.75% to all modern award minimum rates
Lowest ongoing rate floor: $26.44/hr ($1,004.90/week)
Health Professionals Award base: Support Services Level 1 at $26.97/hr
Starts: first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026
Penalties, casual loading & overtime: rise with the new base

The 2026 Fair Work Pay Rise Explained

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) sets minimum wages through its Annual Wage Review each year. The 2026 decision increased modern award minimum rates by 4.75%, with a targeted floor so the lowest ongoing award rate is at least $26.44/hr ($1,004.90/week). The Fair Work Ombudsman published the updated per-award pay guides on 24 June 2026, so the MA000027 dollar figures are confirmed and effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026.

When the Increase Actually Starts

The new rates apply from the first full pay period that starts on or after 1 July 2026 — not necessarily 1 July itself. If your pay week starts on a Monday, the new rates apply from the first Monday on or after 1 July, and the days before that are still paid at the old rate. Getting this cut-over date wrong is the most common wage-review payroll error.

Confirmed Health Professionals Award Rates from July 2026

Under the Health Professionals Award MA000027, a Support Services Level 1 employee is $26.97/hr from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. Every classification rises by 4.75% off its previous base. Because penalty rates, casual loading and overtime are calculated as multiples of the base rate, those dollar amounts increase automatically — see the full Health Professionals Award rates guide, updated for 1 July 2026.

Junior, Apprentice & Casual Flow-On

Junior and apprentice rates are set as percentages of the adult classification rate, so they rise automatically with the base. The 25% casual loading is unchanged as a percentage, but the dollar value of every casual hour rises because it is calculated on the higher base. Update the base first, then let the percentages flow through — do not freeze junior or casual rates at the old dollar figures.

Annual Wage Review Increases Since 2024

Effective date	Award minimum wage increase
1 July 2024	3.75%
1 July 2025	3.5%
1 July 2026	4.75%

Modern award minimum wage increases from successive Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review decisions.

What Health Practice Employers Must Do Before 1 July

Identify your first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026 — that is your cut-over date.
Update base rates in payroll by classification level under MA000027.
Recalculate penalty rates, casual loading and overtime off the new base.
Check junior and apprentice flow-on percentages update automatically.
Confirm any enterprise agreement still meets the new award floor for every classification.
Keep a record of the old and new rates and the date you applied them.

Common Mistakes That Trigger Audits

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Applying the rise from 1 July regardless of your pay cycle. It starts from the first full pay period on or after 1 July — apply it too early or too late and you have an underpayment or an overpayment to unwind.

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Updating the base but not the penalties. Penalty rates, casual loading and overtime are multiples of the base — they must be recalculated off the new figure.

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Freezing junior or casual dollar rates. These are percentages of the adult base and must rise with it.

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Assuming an enterprise agreement is safe. An agreement base rate cannot be below the new award rate for any classification.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the health practice minimum wage increase in 2026?

Modern award minimum rates rose 4.75%, with the lowest ongoing award rate set at no less than $26.44/hr ($1,004.90/week). Under the Health Professionals Award MA000027, a Support Services Level 1 employee is $26.97/hr. The change applies from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026.

When does the 2026 award wage increase take effect?

From the first full pay period that starts on or after 1 July 2026 — not necessarily 1 July itself. Days before that first full period are still paid at the old rate.

Does the 2026 increase apply to the Health Professionals Award?

Yes — 4.75% applies to all modern awards, including MA000027. Because penalty rates, casual loading and overtime are multiples of the base rate, those dollar amounts increase too.

What do health practice employers need to do before 1 July 2026?

Identify your first full pay period on or after 1 July, update base rates by classification, recalculate penalties, casual loading and overtime off the new base, check junior/apprentice flow-on, and confirm any enterprise agreement still meets the new award floor.

Do enterprise agreement rates increase with the 2026 wage review?

Not automatically — but an enterprise agreement base rate cannot be less than the relevant award rate. If the 4.75% increase pushes the award rate above your agreement rate for any classification, you must pay at least the new award rate.

Update Your Health Professionals Award Rates — Instantly

The 4.75% rise touches every base rate, penalty and loading. Fitz HR has the current MA000027 figures built in — ask any rate and get the post-1-July answer in seconds.

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Health Professionals Award Minimum Wage Increase 2026 — 4.75% Rise