Dietitian salary Australia: Where does it sit against the national line?
When you search for a dietitian salary in Australia, you want a clear number. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) does not publish a separate average for dietitians, but we can use related data to see where this profession sits against the national full-time average. The national full-time adult ordinary time earnings are $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year, based on the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026. That is the line on this site. Dietitians typically fall under the health care and social assistance industry, which has its own average.
The health care industry average and the national line
The ABS reports that full-time adult ordinary time earnings in health care and social assistance were $2,037.20 per week in May 2026. That works out to roughly $105,934 per year. This is below the national full-time average of $108,352 by about $2,418 per year. However, this is an industry-wide figure that includes many roles beyond dietitians, such as nurses, doctors, and social workers. Dietitians may earn more or less depending on their specific classification, experience, and employer.
Award minimum rates for dietitians
Dietitians are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027). Fair Work sets minimum rates for each classification level. The Modern Awards Pay Database, updated after the Annual Wage Review 2026, includes the latest rates. As of 1 October 2026, changes applied to health professional employees. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, but award rates are higher. For example, a Level 1 health professional (which may include a new graduate dietitian) has a minimum weekly rate set by the award. To find the exact figure, you can use the Fair Work Pay and Conditions Tool or download the pay guide for the Health Professionals and Support Services Award. The award rate is the legal minimum; many dietitians earn above it through enterprise agreements or individual contracts.
State differences matter
Where you work in Australia can shift your salary relative to the national line. The ABS provides full-time average ordinary time earnings for each state and territory. For instance:
- New South Wales: $109,658 per year
- 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
A dietitian in Western Australia or the ACT is likely to earn more than one in Tasmania or South Australia, reflecting the broader state averages. However, these are averages across all full-time workers, not dietitians specifically. The health care industry also has its own state variations, but the ABS does not break that down by occupation.
Using the Average line tool
This site lets you place any salary on the line against the national full-time average. If you know your annual salary before tax, you can enter it and see how it compares to $108,352. The tool also shows the weekly and hourly equivalents based on a 38-hour week. You can explore States and territories to see how your location affects the comparison. For a deeper look at how the figures are set, visit How the figures are set.
Medians and minimum wage
For context, the full-time median earnings in Australia are about $90,532 per year, and the all-employees median is about $74,100 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week. Award minimums rose by 4.75% in the 2026 Annual Wage Review. These benchmarks help you see where a dietitian salary might fall.
What the data doesn't tell you
The ABS industry average for health care includes many roles and does not isolate dietitians. The award rate is a floor, not a typical salary. Actual earnings depend on factors like public versus private sector, years of experience, and whether you work full-time, part-time, or casually. The public sector tends to pay higher average weekly earnings ($2,263.10 for full-time adults) than the private sector ($2,034.10). Dietitians in public hospitals may be on a different pay scale than those in private practice.
Summary
While there is no single published dietitian salary in Australia, the health care industry average of about $105,934 per year is a useful reference point. It sits slightly below the national full-time average of $108,352. State averages vary widely, and award rates set the legal minimum. Use the Average line tool to compare your own salary, and check the Fair Work pay guides for the most current award rates.