What is the average paramedic salary in Australia?

The median full-time weekly earnings for ambulance officers and paramedics is $2,852, according to Jobs and Skills Australia. That works out to about $148,304 a year, which is significantly higher than the national full-time adult average of $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 a year) from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026.

How does the award minimum compare to actual paramedic pay?

The minimum weekly rate under the Ambulance and Patient Transport Industry Award (from 1 July 2026) for an ambulance officer/paramedic ranges from $1,309.50 (year 1) to $1,326.90 (year 3). Actual earnings are much higher because most paramedics work overtime, weekends, and public holidays, which attract penalty rates. The median figure of $2,852 reflects these additional payments.

Do paramedic salaries vary by state in Australia?

State-level data for paramedics specifically is not published, but the full-time average weekly earnings for all occupations vary by state. For example, the ACT has the highest full-time average at $2,290.20 per week ($119,090 a year), while Tasmania has the lowest at $1,846.30 ($96,008 a year). Paramedic pay likely follows similar regional patterns, but the national median provides the best benchmark.

Paramedic Salary Australia: How It Compares to the National Full-Time Average

Paramedic Salary Australia: Where It Sits Against the National Average

When people search for "paramedic salary Australia", they are often trying to understand how this demanding profession pays compared to the typical Australian full-time worker. The short answer is that paramedics earn well above the national full-time average, but the picture is more nuanced when you look at award minimums, overtime, and state differences.

The National Full-Time Benchmark

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings were $2,083.70 in May 2026. That translates to about $108,352 a year. This is the line that Average line uses as its reference point. The all-employees median (including part-time) is lower at about $74,100 a year, while the full-time median is around $90,532.

Paramedic Median Earnings: Well Above Average

According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time weekly earnings for ambulance officers and paramedics is $2,852. That is about $148,304 a year – roughly 37% more than the national full-time average. The median hourly rate is $71, compared to the all-occupations median of $47. This places paramedics in the top tier of Australian occupations by pay.

It is important to note that this median is for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. It reflects actual earnings including overtime, penalty rates, and allowances. The median is a better guide than the average because it is not skewed by a small number of very high or very low earners.

Award Minimums: The Legal Floor

Under the Ambulance and Patient Transport Industry Award, the minimum weekly pay for an ambulance officer/paramedic (full-time) from 1 July 2026 is:

Year 1: $1,309.50 per week ($34.46 per hour)
Year 2: $1,319.50 per week ($34.72 per hour)
Year 3 and above: $1,326.90 per week ($34.92 per hour)

These rates are the legal minimum before any penalties or allowances. Student paramedics earn less, starting at $1,179.10 per week. The award also provides for higher rates on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and for shift work. For example, public holiday work is paid at $86.15 per hour for a year 1 paramedic.

The gap between the award minimum and the median is large – about $1,500 per week. This shows that most experienced paramedics earn significantly more than the base rate, thanks to the nature of shift work and the demand for emergency services.

Why Paramedics Earn Above the Average

Paramedics work an average of 47 hours per week (full-time), compared to 44 hours for all occupations. They also frequently work nights, weekends, and public holidays, which attract penalty rates of 50% to 150%. The median earnings of $2,852 reflect these additional payments. In addition, many paramedics receive allowances for intensive care skills, continuing education, and on-call duties.

State and Territory Comparisons

While specific paramedic salaries by state are not published, we can compare the national full-time averages across Australia. The ABS provides these figures for May 2026:

New South Wales: $2,108.80 per week ($109,658 a year)
Victoria: $2,041.10 ($106,137)
Queensland: $2,039.70 ($106,064)
South Australia: $1,970.20 ($102,450)
Western Australia: $2,227.40 ($115,825)
Tasmania: $1,846.30 ($96,008)
Northern Territory: $1,984.10 ($103,173)
Australian Capital Territory: $2,290.20 ($119,090)

Paramedics in states with higher overall earnings, such as the ACT and Western Australia, may also see higher pay, but the national median of $2,852 already exceeds every state average. For more detail, see our States and territories page.

How the Figures Are Set

The ABS collects average weekly earnings from employers twice a year (May and November). The median earnings for occupations come from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, which Jobs and Skills Australia publishes. Award rates are set by the Fair Work Commission and updated each financial year. You can read more about the methodology on our How the figures are set page.

The Bottom Line

A paramedic salary in Australia is well above the national full-time average, with a median of $2,852 per week. However, entry-level award rates are much lower, and actual take-home pay depends on experience, location, and the amount of overtime worked. For a personalised comparison, you can Place a salary on the line to see how it stacks up against the national average, medians, and minimum wage.