Where the national line sits
The national full-time adult ordinary-time average is $2,083.70 a week, or about $108,352 a year, according to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026. That is the line on this site. Every salary placed on the line is compared against it. For a neuropsychologist, the figure can sit well above or below that line depending on where you work and under what classification.
The median for psychologists gives a starting point
The ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (August 2025) reports a median full-time weekly earnings of $2,204 for psychologists and psychotherapists, which is about $114,608 a year. That is roughly $6,000 above the national full-time average. But this median covers all psychologists, not just neuropsychologists. Neuropsychology is a specialised area that usually requires a master’s degree or doctorate (AQF Level 9 or higher) and often attracts higher pay, especially in clinical or forensic settings. The median is a useful guide, but it is not a guarantee.
Award minimums are lower than the median
Many neuropsychologists are employed in hospitals, community health centres, or private practices covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. Under that award, a Health Professional employee at AQF Level 9 (master’s or doctorate) has a minimum weekly rate that starts at $1,444.90 in the first year and rises to $1,755.00 after seven years. Those figures are well below the median and below the national average. However, the award is a floor, not a ceiling. Most experienced neuropsychologists are paid above the award, either through enterprise agreements or individual contracts. The award rates also increase each year; the most recent 4.75 per cent rise took effect from 1 July 2026.
State differences can push pay up or down
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey breaks down full-time adult ordinary-time earnings by state and territory. These are averages across all industries, not just health, but they show how location affects overall pay levels. The Australian Capital Territory has the highest average at $2,290.20 a week ($119,090 a year), while Tasmania has the lowest at $1,846.30 a week ($96,008 a year). Western Australia ($2,227.40 a week) and New South Wales ($2,108.80 a week) also sit above the national line. Victoria ($2,041.10), Queensland ($2,039.70), South Australia ($1,970.20), the Northern Territory ($1,984.10), and Tasmania all sit below it. For a neuropsychologist, working in a higher-paying state like the ACT or WA could mean a salary that is several thousand dollars above the national average, while a role in Tasmania might be closer to the award minimums.
How the figures are set
The national average comes from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey, which is published twice a year (May and November). It measures the average weekly ordinary-time earnings for full-time adults, seasonally adjusted. The median figures come from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey, which is published less frequently. The minimum wage and award rates are set by the Fair Work Commission. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, $1,004.90 a week, or about $52,255 a year on a 38-hour week. Award minimums, including those for health professionals, rose by 4.75 per cent on the same date.
Putting a neuropsychologist salary on the line
If you are a neuropsychologist and you know your weekly or yearly salary before tax, you can place a salary on the line to see how it compares to the national average. The tool will show you the weekly and hourly figures based on a 38-hour week, and the distance from the $2,083.70 line. You can also explore how your pay compares by state and territory or by job medians. The site uses the ABS Average Weekly Earnings as its benchmark, so the comparison is consistent across all occupations.
Why the line matters
The national full-time average is a useful reference point, but it is not a target. Many factors push individual salaries off the line: industry, experience, location, and whether you are covered by an award or an enterprise agreement. For neuropsychologists, the combination of a specialised qualification and a high-paying state can lift earnings well above the average, while early-career roles in lower-paying states may sit below it. The award minimums provide a safety net, but they are not representative of what most experienced neuropsychologists earn.
Tax and take-home pay
Once you have a salary figure, tax is the next consideration. For the 2026–27 income year, the resident tax rates are: nil on the first $18,200, 15 per cent on income up to $45,000, 30 per cent up to $135,000, 37 per cent up to $190,000, and 45 per cent above that. The Medicare levy adds 2 per cent, though some people qualify for reductions. A neuropsychologist earning the median of $114,608 would fall in the 30 per cent bracket, with a marginal rate of 32 per cent including Medicare. The tax system is progressive, so the average rate is lower than the marginal rate.
Further reading
For more detail on how the national average is calculated, see How the figures are set. If you want to compare your salary against industry or occupation medians, visit Industry medians or Job medians. The Guides section has articles on award coverage and state comparisons. And if you are unsure about your classification, the Fair Work Ombudsman website has the full Health Professionals and Support Services Award.