Paramedic pay in New South Wales
If you are looking at an NSW paramedic salary, the first place to check is the Ambulance and Patient Transport Industry Award 2020, which sets the minimum pay for the role. Under that award, a full‑time Ambulance Officer (the classification that covers most paramedics) earns at least:
- Year 1: $1,309.50 a week, or $34.46 an hour
- Year 2: $1,319.50 a week, or $34.72 an hour
- Year 3 and above: $1,326.90 a week, or $34.92 an hour
These rates apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. On a 38‑hour week, the annualised minimums are roughly $68,094 (year 1) to $68,999 (year 3).
Most paramedics in NSW are employed by the NSW Ambulance service under an enterprise agreement that pays above the award. Shift allowances, weekend penalties, public holiday rates, and overtime can lift actual earnings well above the minimum. The award itself includes a shift allowance of $59.71 per shift that finishes between 6 pm and 8 am or starts between 6 pm and 6.30 am.
Where this sits against the national full‑time average
The site’s benchmark is the national full‑time adult ordinary‑time average of $2,083.70 a week, or about $108,352 a year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). Even the highest award minimum for an Ambulance Officer (year 3) is about $1,326.90 a week, which is 36% below that average.
However, the award is a floor, not a ceiling. A paramedic with several years of service who regularly works weekends and night shifts can earn a total package that approaches or exceeds the national average. The New South Wales state full‑time average across all occupations is about $109,658 a year – slightly above the national figure – so paramedics working in NSW are in a state where overall earnings are above the national norm.
For context, the national full‑time median (the middle point of all full‑time earnings) is about $90,532 a year, and the all‑employees median (including part‑time and casual) is about $74,100 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). The award minimum for a first‑year Ambulance Officer ($68,094) is below both medians, but again, actual pay for experienced paramedics is typically higher.
How the award minimums compare with the national minimum wage
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, or $1,004.90 a week for a 38‑hour week – about $52,255 a year. The award rate for an Ambulance Officer ($34.46 an hour) is 30% above that, reflecting the skilled and demanding nature of the work.
Other factors that affect take‑home pay
- Tax: For 2026–27, resident tax rates are nil up to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above that. The Medicare levy adds 2% (before any reductions). A paramedic earning $68,000–$100,000 would fall in the 30% bracket plus Medicare.
- Penalty rates: Saturday and Sunday work is paid at time‑and‑a‑half (about $51.69 an hour for a year‑1 officer), and public holidays at double‑time and a half (about $86.15 an hour).
- On‑call and recall: Being on‑call while on call is paid at double the ordinary rate ($68.92 an hour).
Finding the exact NSW paramedic salary for a specific role depends on the employer’s agreement. You can place a salary on the line to see how a given figure compares with the national average](/line). For a broader view of how New South Wales earnings compare across states, see New South Wales. To understand how the ABS calculates these figures, see how the figures are set.
Summary
The short answer: the award minimum for a first‑year Ambulance Officer in NSW is about $68,094 a year – well below the national full‑time average of $108,352, but actual earnings for experienced paramedics are often higher. The state average in NSW is about $109,658, so paramedics in the state are in a relatively high‑earning workforce overall.