Biomedical Engineer Salary in Australia
Biomedical engineers apply engineering principles to medicine, designing equipment, implants, and diagnostic tools. If you are researching a biomedical engineer salary in Australia, you will find that official pay data is limited because the occupation is classified at a detailed level where the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) does not publish separate earnings estimates. This article explains what we do know from national surveys and how to interpret the available figures.
What the Official Data Shows
The ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey (May 2025) provides earnings for broad occupation groups but not for 6-digit ANZSCO codes like Biomedical Engineers (233913). The Jobs and Skills Australia profile for Biomedical Engineers confirms that median weekly earnings are not available. This is common for smaller professions where survey sample sizes are too small to produce reliable statistics.
However, we can use the professional category as a proxy. Professionals (the major group that includes biomedical engineers) had average weekly total cash earnings of $2,049.60 and an average hourly rate of $64.50. This translates to roughly $106,579 per year if working full-time. The national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings is $2,083.70 (about $108,352 per year) from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026.
Work Patterns and Demographics
According to the Jobs and Skills Australia profile, 88% of biomedical engineers work full-time, compared to 64% across all occupations. The average full-time hours are 41 per week, slightly below the national average of 44 hours. The median age is 37 years, and women make up 21% of the workforce. These figures suggest a relatively mature, predominantly male profession with a strong full-time commitment.
Comparing to National Benchmarks
To put a biomedical engineer salary in context, consider these benchmarks from the on-site notes:
- National full-time adult ordinary-time average: $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year)
- Full-time median: $1,887 per week ($98,124 per year)
- All-employees median: $1,436 per week ($74,672 per year)
- National minimum wage (from 1 July 2026): $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week
As professionals, biomedical engineers would earn well above the minimum wage and likely above the all-employees median. Their earnings may be close to the full-time median or average, depending on experience and location.
State and Territory Variations
Full-time average weekly earnings vary by state. The on-site notes provide these annual figures:
- New South Wales: $109,658
- Victoria: $106,137
- Queensland: $106,064
- South Australia: $102,450
- Western Australia: $115,825
- Tasmania: $96,008
- Northern Territory: $103,173
- Australian Capital Territory: $119,090
Biomedical engineers working in Western Australia or the ACT may earn more than those in Tasmania or South Australia, reflecting broader economic conditions.
Tax and Take-Home Pay
For the 2026–27 financial year, resident tax rates are:
- Nil up to $18,200
- 15% from $18,201 to $45,000
- 30% from $45,001 to $135,000
- 37% from $135,001 to $190,000
- 45% above $190,000
Plus a 2% Medicare levy (reductions may apply). A biomedical engineer earning around $106,579 would fall in the 30% bracket, with a marginal rate of 32% including Medicare.
How to Use This Information
If you are evaluating a job offer or planning a career, remember that the absence of a published median does not mean the occupation is poorly paid. Use the professional average as a guide, and consider factors like employer type (public hospital vs private company), years of experience, and location. You can also Place a salary on the line to see how it compares to the national average. For more occupation-specific medians, visit Job medians. To understand how these figures are calculated, see How the figures are set.
Career Outlook
The Jobs and Skills Australia profile lists biomedical engineers under the broader engineering professional group. Demand is driven by advances in medical technology and an ageing population. The occupation requires a bachelor's degree in engineering, often with specialisation in biomedical or related fields. Professional development and registration with Engineers Australia can enhance earning potential.
Summary
While the ABS does not publish a specific biomedical engineer salary, the available data suggests earnings are in line with the professional average of about $106,579 per year. This is close to the national full-time average of $108,352. For the most accurate picture, consider the specific role, industry, and location. Use the tools on this site to Place a salary on the line and see where it stands.