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Paramedic salary NSW: How it compares to the national average

The minimum award rate for a paramedic in NSW is about $68,000 per year, well below the national full-time average of $108,352, but actual earnings often exceed this due to enterprise agreements and penalties.

This is the New South Wales full-time average. It sits $1,306 over the Australian full-time average, about 1.2% above the line.

Week, hour, and a tax sketch

$2,109 a week · $55.49 an hour if spread over 38 hours

About $84,047 after resident income tax and a 2% Medicare levy.

2026–27 resident rates and a 2% Medicare levy. Not a tax assessment.Open the full line

Paramedic salary NSW: Where does it sit against the national line?

If you are a paramedic in New South Wales or considering the career, you probably want to know how your pay compares to the national full-time average. The short answer is that the minimum award rate is well below the line, but actual earnings can vary widely depending on your employer, experience, and the shifts you work.

The national full-time average

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings were $2,083.70 in May 2026. That works out to about $108,352 a year (multiply by 52). This is the figure we use as the line on this site. The full-time median is lower, at about $90,532, 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 $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week – about $52,255 a year.

The award minimum for paramedics

Paramedics in NSW are covered by the Ambulance and Patient Transport Industry Award 2020. Fair Work sets minimum weekly rates for an Ambulance Officer (the classification for a qualified paramedic) as follows:

  • Year 1: $1,309.50 per week (about $68,094 per year)
  • Year 2: $1,319.50 per week (about $68,614 per year)
  • Year 3: $1,326.90 per week (about $68,999 per year)

These are the bare minimums. These rates are significantly below the national full-time average of $108,352. Even the highest award rate for a Senior Station Officer ($1,557.00 per week, about $80,964 per year) is below the average.

What moves paramedic pay above the award?

Most paramedics in NSW are employed by NSW Ambulance, a state government agency. They are covered by an enterprise agreement that typically pays more than the award. The exact rates are not published in the sources we use, but the public sector average in NSW gives a clue. The ABS reports that full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings in the public sector nationally are $2,263.10 (about $117,681 per year). For NSW specifically, the state full-time average across all industries is about $109,658 per year. Paramedics in the public sector often earn above the state average when you include shift penalties, overtime, and allowances.

Shift work is a major factor. The award provides a shift allowance of $59.71 per shift for finishing between 6pm and 8am or starting between 6pm and 6.30am. Saturday and Sunday work attracts penalty rates of $51.69 and $52.08 per hour respectively (for year 1). Public holidays pay $86.15 per hour. Overtime and on-call allowances add more. A paramedic who works regular night shifts and weekends can easily earn 20–30% above the base rate.

How NSW compares to other states

New South Wales has a full-time average of about $109,658 per year, slightly above the national average. The ACT is highest at about $119,090, while Tasmania is lowest at about $96,008. Paramedic pay in NSW is likely to be in line with the state average for public sector workers, but without a specific published figure we cannot say exactly. The award rates are the same across Australia, but enterprise agreements vary by state.

The role of experience and seniority

The award has three pay points for Ambulance Officers, but many paramedics progress to higher classifications such as Station Officer or Senior Station Officer. The award minimum for a Station Officer (branch with less than 10 staff) is $1,428.20 per week (about $74,266 per year), and for a Senior Station Officer it is $1,557.00 per week (about $80,964 per year). Again, actual pay under enterprise agreements is higher.

Putting it on the line

If you are a paramedic in NSW earning the award minimum, your salary is well below the national full-time average. But if you have several years of experience, work regular night and weekend shifts, and are covered by a good enterprise agreement, you could be earning above the average. To see where your own salary sits, you can place a salary on the line and compare it to the national average, state averages, and industry medians.

For more detail on how pay varies across Australia, see our page on New South Wales.

The bottom line

The minimum award rate for a paramedic in NSW is about $68,000 per year, which is about $40,000 below the national full-time average. However, actual earnings are often higher due to enterprise agreements, shift penalties, and overtime. The public sector average in NSW is above the national average, suggesting that many paramedics earn a competitive wage. To get a precise picture, you would need to look at your specific enterprise agreement or pay slip.

Tax and take-home pay

For the 2026–27 income year, the tax-free threshold is $18,200. Above that, you pay 15% on income up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, 37% up to $190,000, and 45% above that. The Medicare levy is 2% (with possible reductions). A paramedic earning $80,000 would pay about $16,267 in tax plus $1,600 Medicare levy, leaving about $62,133 take-home pay. At $100,000, tax is about $22,967 plus $2,000 Medicare, leaving about $75,033. These are estimates; use the ATO tax tables for exact figures.

Questions

What is the average salary for a paramedic in NSW?

The ABS does not publish a specific average salary for paramedics in NSW. The minimum award rate under the Ambulance and Patient Transport Industry Award 2020 for an Ambulance Officer (year 1) is $1,309.50 per week, or about $68,094 per year. However, most paramedics in NSW are employed under enterprise agreements that pay significantly more. The NSW public sector full-time average weekly ordinary time earnings are $2,263.10 (about $117,681 per year), but paramedics may earn less or more depending on experience and allowances.

How does a paramedic salary compare to the national average?

The national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings are $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). The minimum award rate for a paramedic in NSW is about $68,000 per year, which is well below the national average. However, with experience, shift penalties, and enterprise agreement increases, many paramedics earn above the national average, especially those in senior roles or with significant overtime.

What factors can increase a paramedic's pay above the award minimum?

Several factors can push a paramedic's salary above the award minimum: years of service (the award has three pay points), shift allowances for night and weekend work, overtime, on-call allowances, and public holiday penalties. Additionally, most paramedics in NSW are covered by enterprise agreements that set higher base rates. Promotions to Station Officer or Senior Station Officer also bring higher pay. The public sector average in NSW is higher than the national average, reflecting these additional payments.

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