Paramedicine salary in Australia
Paramedicine – the work of ambulance officers and paramedics – is a profession where pay sits well above the national full‑time average. According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full‑time weekly earnings for ambulance officers and paramedics is $2,852 before tax. That is about $148,304 a year (based on 52 weeks). The national full‑time adult ordinary‑time average, from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026, is $2,083.70 per week ($108,352 per year). So a typical paramedic earns roughly 37% more than the average full‑time worker.
This page explains where paramedicine pay sits against the national line, why state and award factors can move the figure, and what the different published figures mean.
How paramedicine pay compares to the national line
The national line on this site is the ABS full‑time adult ordinary‑time average of $2,083.70 per week. That figure is an average across all industries, sectors and states. Paramedicine pay, as measured by the median, is significantly higher. Place a salary on the line to see how any individual figure compares.
Other benchmarks:
- National full‑time median earnings: about $1,741 per week ($90,532 per year) – ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025. Paramedicine median is 64% above this.
- All‑employees median: about $1,425 per week ($74,100 per year). Paramedicine full‑time median is double that.
- National minimum wage (from 1 July 2026): $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, $52,255 per year on a 38‑hour week. Paramedics earn far more.
State full‑time averages also show the national line is a blend. The highest state average is the ACT at $119,090 per year; the lowest is Tasmania at $96,008. A paramedic in the ACT is likely to earn more than one in Tasmania, reflecting different cost of living and award structures. States and territories has the full breakdown.
Why state and award factors matter
Paramedicine is not covered by a single national award. Most paramedics work for state‑based ambulance services under enterprise agreements or state awards. These instruments set base pay rates, allowances (e.g., for shift work, on‑call, or remote work), and penalty rates for weekends and public holidays. The result is that a paramedic’s actual salary can differ from the national median depending on where they work and the specific terms of their agreement.
For example, a paramedic in New South Wales might have a different base rate and overtime structure than one in Western Australia. The state full‑time averages give a rough guide: Western Australia’s average is $115,825 per year, while New South Wales is $109,658. But these are averages across all occupations, not paramedicine specifically. The median paramedicine figure from Jobs and Skills Australia is a national median, so it smooths out state differences.
Award and agreement pay rates are also adjusted periodically. The Fair Work Commission’s annual wage review increased award minimums by 4.75% from 1 July 2026. Paramedics covered by state awards or agreements may see similar increases, but the timing and amount can vary.
Understanding the figures
The $2,852 median from Jobs and Skills Australia comes from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025. It is the median full‑time weekly earnings for non‑managerial adult employees in the occupation. This is a more stable measure than an average because it is not skewed by very high or low earners. The national full‑time average from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey includes managers and is a mean, so it can be higher than the median for some occupations.
For paramedicine, the median is well above the average, which is unusual. This suggests that paramedics are concentrated in higher‑paying roles or that the occupation has relatively few low‑paid workers. The average full‑time hours for paramedics are 47 hours per week, compared to 44 hours across all occupations. Longer hours also boost weekly earnings.
The ATO provides guidance on income and work‑related deductions for paramedics, but does not publish salary figures. Their paramedics page covers allowances and common deductions like uniforms, equipment, and travel. Guides has more on understanding pay and deductions.
Putting it all together
Paramedicine is a well‑paid profession relative to the national average. The median full‑time salary of about $148,000 per year places it above most state averages and well above the national minimum. However, actual pay depends on the state, the specific award or agreement, and individual factors like overtime and allowances. The national line is a useful benchmark, but paramedics should check their own agreement for precise rates.
How the figures are set explains the sources and methods behind the numbers on this site. About this site has more on the purpose of Average line.