Minimum rates under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award MA000027, current as at 2026-10-01. Sourced from the Fair Work Ombudsman Pay Guide MA000027.
Under the Health Professionals Award (MA000027), the minimum full-time adult rate starts at $26.97/hour (Level 1 (support services)). Saturdays pay 150% (full/part-time) or 175% (casual); Sundays 150% (full/part-time) or 175% (casual); public holidays 250% (full/part-time) or 275% (casual). Casual percentages already include the 25% casual loading. Figures current as at 1 October 2026, sourced from the Fair Work Ombudsman Pay Guide — full tables below, or ask Fitz for the exact rate for your classification and shift. From 1 October 2026 health professionals are classified by AQF level and years of experience (Level 1) or by role (Levels 2.1, 2.2, 3 and 4), with no pay points; staff employed on 30 September 2026 keep their previous rate where it is higher.
Page updated 21 October 2026: added Christmas and New Year public holiday rates and the 2026–27 change timeline. Rates current as at 1 October 2026.
Full-time minimum rates by classification. Casual employees receive these rates plus the 25% casual loading (or the all-inclusive casual rate where the award specifies one).
| Classification (full-time) | Hourly | Weekly |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Not sure which level a role belongs at? See every Health Professionals Award classification explained with full-time and casual rates.
Weekend and public holiday penalties as a percentage of the ordinary hourly rate. Casual percentages are all-inclusive of the casual loading.
| When worked | % of ordinary rate |
|---|---|
| Saturday (FT/PT) | 150% |
| Saturday (casual) | 175% |
| Sunday (FT/PT) | 150% |
| Sunday (casual) | 175% |
| Public holiday (FT/PT) | 250% |
| Public holiday (casual) | 275% |
Frequently-applied allowances from the Pay Guide MA000027. Ask Fitz for the full list and the exact conditions.
| Allowance | Amount | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Heat allowance (temperature 40°C-46°C, employed at current workplace before 8 Aug 1991) | $0.61 | per hour |
| Heat allowance (temperature exceeds 46°C, employed at current workplace before 8 Aug 1991) | $0.73 | per hour |
| Laundry allowance | $0.33 | per shift |
| Meal allowance | $17.30 | per meal |
| Nauseous work allowance (not linen sealed in airtight containers) | $0.61 | per hour |
| Occasional interpreting allowance | $1.34 | per occasion |
| On call allowance (Monday to Saturday) | $26.34 | per 24-hour period |
| On call allowance (Sunday & public holiday) | $52.56 | per 24-hour period |
| Tool allowance (chefs and cooks) | $13.41 | per week |
| Uniform allowance | $1.26 | per shift |
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The summer public holidays are where Health Professionals Award payroll errors cluster, because the public holiday penalty is the largest multiplier in the award and Boxing Day falls on a Saturday this year, which brings substitute-day rules into play. For a Level 1 (support services) employee on the current minimum of $26.97 an hour:
| Hour worked | Full-time / part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary Monday–Friday hour | $26.97 | $33.71 |
| Public holiday hour (250% / 275% casual) | $67.43 | $74.17 |
The same multiplier applies at every classification level, so take the level’s ordinary rate from the table above and multiply. The casual public holiday percentage already includes the 25% casual loading; do not add it again. The national public holidays in the period are:
Each state and territory gazettes its own list, including part-day holidays such as Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve in some jurisdictions, so check your state’s list before the roster is published. The penalty applies to hours worked on the gazetted day; where a substitute day is declared, the award sets out which day attracts the penalty, and that is a question worth asking Fitz before the pay run rather than after.
The rates on this page took effect from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, following the Fair Work Commission’s 4.75% Annual Wage Review increase, and apply for the 2026–27 financial year. The next Annual Wage Review decision is expected in June 2027 and takes effect from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2027. Superannuation guarantee is 12%. Nothing else is scheduled to change the Health Professionals Award minimum rates before then; if the Commission varies the award mid-year, the rates alert below will tell you.
Health professionals are now classified by AQF level and years of experience (Level 1) or by role (Levels 2.1, 2.2, 3 and 4), with no pay points. Staff employed on 30 September 2026 keep their previous rate where it is higher. See the full 1 October 2026 change guide.
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