Under the Health Professionals Award MA000027 (2026), a Support Services Level 1 employee earns $26.97/hr full-time. Saturday and Sunday are both 150% (175% casual) and public holidays 250% (275% casual). A 15% shift loading applies to certain Monday–Friday shifts. The casual minimum engagement is 3 hours, and the casual loading of 25% is already built into the casual penalty percentages.
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.
Support Services Level 1: $26.97/hr full-time
Saturday: 150% (FT/PT) · 175% (casual)
Sunday: 150% (FT/PT) · 175% (casual)
Public holiday: 250% (FT/PT) · 275% (casual)
Shift loading (Mon–Fri): +15%
Casual minimum engagement: 3 hours
Rates by Stream & Level
MA000027 splits into streams — support services, dental assistants, pathology collectors and health professionals — each with its own levels. From 1 October 2026 the health professional stream has no pay points: Level 1 is set by the AQF level of the profession's minimum qualification (Schedule B) and years of experience in the profession, and Levels 2.1, 2.2, 3 and 4 are defined by role. Staff employed on 30 September 2026 keep their previous rate where it is higher (clause J.4.3). See our guide to the 1 October 2026 changes. Health-professional rates run well above support roles, so the stream and level both matter.
| Classification (full-time) | Hourly | Weekly (38h) |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (support services) | $26.97 | $1024.70 |
| Level 2 (support services) | $28.03 | $1065.20 |
| Level 3 (support services) | $29.11 | $1106.20 |
| Level 4 (support services) | $29.45 | $1119.10 |
| Level 5 (support services) | $30.45 | $1157.20 |
| Level 6 (support services) | $32.09 | $1219.50 |
| Level 7 (support services) | $32.67 | $1241.40 |
| Level 8 - pay point 1 (support services) | $33.78 | $1283.50 |
| Level 8 - pay point 2 (support services) | $34.66 | $1317.20 |
| Level 8 - pay point 3 (support services) | $37.10 | $1409.70 |
| Level 9 - pay point 1 (support services) | $37.76 | $1435.00 |
| Level 9 - pay point 2 (support services) | $39.10 | $1485.90 |
| Level 9 - pay point 3 (support services) | $39.42 | $1497.80 |
| Level 3 - dental assistant (dental assistants) | $29.11 | $1106.20 |
| Level 5 - dental assistant (dental assistants) | $29.15 | $1107.80 |
| Level 6 - dental assistant (dental assistants) | $30.63 | $1163.90 |
| Level 7 - dental assistant (dental assistants) | $31.67 | $1203.50 |
| Level 5 - pathology collector (pathology collectors) | $30.45 | $1157.20 |
| Level 6 - pathology collector (pathology collectors) | $30.63 | $1163.90 |
| Level 7 - pathology collector (unqualified) (pathology collectors) | $31.67 | $1203.50 |
| Level 7 - pathology collector (qualified) (pathology collectors) | $32.67 | $1241.40 |
| Level 1 - AQF Level 5 - 1st year (health professionals) | $32.44 | $1232.70 |
| Level 1 - AQF Level 5 - 2nd-3rd year (health professionals) | $34.44 | $1308.80 |
| Level 1 - AQF Level 5 - 4th-6th year (health professionals) | $37.53 | $1426.00 |
| Level 1 - AQF Level 5 - 7th year+ (health professionals) | $40.56 | $1541.30 |
| Level 1 - AQF Level 6 - 1st year (health professionals) | $32.44 | $1232.70 |
| Level 1 - AQF Level 6 - 2nd-3rd year (health professionals) | $34.44 | $1308.80 |
| Level 1 - AQF Level 6 - 4th-6th year (health professionals) | $39.03 | $1483.30 |
| Level 1 - AQF Level 6 - 7th year+ (health professionals) | $43.67 | $1659.30 |
| Level 1 - AQF Level 7 - 1st year (health professionals) | $34.44 | $1308.80 |
| Level 1 - AQF Level 7 - 2nd-3rd year (health professionals) | $37.08 | $1409.00 |
| Level 1 - AQF Level 7 - 4th-6th year (health professionals) | $41.19 | $1565.30 |
| Level 1 - AQF Level 7 - 7th year+ (health professionals) | $44.46 | $1689.50 |
| Level 1 - AQF Level 8 - 1st year (health professionals) | $35.19 | $1337.10 |
| Level 1 - AQF Level 8 - 2nd-3rd year (health professionals) | $38.02 | $1444.90 |
| Level 1 - AQF Level 8 - 4th-6th year (health professionals) | $41.71 | $1584.90 |
| Level 1 - AQF Level 8 - 7th year+ (health professionals) | $45.30 | $1721.40 |
| Level 1 - AQF Level 9 - 1st year (health professionals) | $38.02 | $1444.90 |
| Level 1 - AQF Level 9 - 2nd-3rd year (health professionals) | $40.66 | $1545.20 |
| Level 1 - AQF Level 9 - 4th-6th year (health professionals) | $43.67 | $1659.30 |
| Level 1 - AQF Level 9 - 7th year+ (health professionals) | $46.18 | $1755.00 |
| Level 2.1 (health professionals) | $51.19 | $1945.40 |
| Level 2.2 (health professionals) | $52.19 | $1983.20 |
| Level 3 (health professionals) | $52.19 | $1983.20 |
| Level 4 (health professionals) | $65.77 | $2499.10 |
Penalty Rates & Shift Loading
Weekend and public holiday penalties are a percentage of the minimum hourly rate; casual rates are all-inclusive of the 25% loading:
| When worked | Full-time / part-time | Casual (all-inclusive) |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 150% | 175% |
| Sunday | 150% | 175% |
| Public holiday | 250% | 275% |
A 15% shift loading applies to defined Monday–Friday shifts. Overtime is 150% for the first 2 hours and 200% after.
Casual Loading & Minimum Engagement
Casual employees receive a 25% loading and a minimum engagement of 3 hours per shift. Many practices also use annualised wage arrangements for full-time professionals — see our annualised wage guide for the strict conditions.
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