Pathology collector pay under the award
Pathology collector salaries are governed by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, which Fair Work updates each year. The latest pay guide, effective from the first full pay period on or after 1 October 2026, sets minimum weekly and hourly rates for support services employees, including pathology collectors.
For full-time and part-time pathology collectors (until 31 December 2026), the award specifies:
- Level 5 pathology collector: $1,157.20 per week, $30.45 per hour
- Level 6 pathology collector: $1,163.90 per week, $30.63 per hour
- Level 7 pathology collector (unqualified): $1,203.50 per week, $31.67 per hour
- Level 7 pathology collector (qualified): $1,241.40 per week, $32.67 per hour
These are minimum rates. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, bringing the Level 5 casual rate to $38.06 per hour. Overtime, Saturday, Sunday, and public holiday penalties also apply.
How the national average compares
The ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026 reports that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings (seasonally adjusted) are $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year. That is the national line on this site. A full-time Level 5 pathology collector earning the award minimum makes $1,157.20 per week – roughly 56% of the national average. Even the highest award rate for a qualified Level 7 collector ($1,241.40) is only about 60% of the national figure.
It is important to note that the national average includes all full-time adults across industries, many of whom are in higher-paying sectors such as mining, finance, or professional services. The award rate for pathology collectors reflects the classification of this role within the health care and social assistance industry, which typically has lower average earnings. Place a salary on the line
Why location matters
While the award sets a national minimum, actual take-home pay can vary by state due to enterprise agreements, cost-of-living adjustments, or local labour market conditions. The ABS publishes state-level full-time averages that give a sense of regional earnings:
- New South Wales: $109,658 per year
- Victoria: $106,137
- Queensland: $106,064
- South Australia: $102,450
- Western Australia: $115,825
- Tasmania: $96,008
- Northern Territory: $103,173
- Australian Capital Territory: $119,090
A pathology collector in the ACT, where the overall average is highest, might find that local employers offer above-award rates to attract staff. Conversely, in Tasmania, where the average is lowest, award rates may be closer to the market norm. States and territories
The role of the award
The Health Professionals and Support Services Award is one of many modern awards that set minimum pay and conditions for specific industries. Fair Work reviews these awards annually, and the 2026 update included a 4.75% increase to minimum rates, consistent with the national minimum wage rise from 1 July 2026. The national minimum wage itself is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week. Pathology collector award rates are above the minimum wage, reflecting the skilled nature of the role.
What the data does not show
The Jobs and Skills Australia profile for pathology collectors notes that median weekly earnings are not available for this occupation. That means we cannot compare a typical pathology collector's pay to the national full-time median of about $90,532 per year (from ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025) or the all-employees median of $74,100. The absence of a published median may be due to the occupation's small size or high variability in hours. How the figures are set
Tax and take-home pay
For a pathology collector earning the award minimum of $60,174 per year (Level 5, full-time), the 2026–27 resident tax rates apply:
- Nil on the first $18,200
- 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
- 30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
Plus the 2% Medicare levy (subject to reductions for low-income earners). After tax and Medicare, the annual take-home pay would be roughly $49,000, depending on individual circumstances. This is well below the threshold for the 37% or 45% brackets.
Summary
Pathology collector salaries are anchored by a modern award that sets rates below the national full-time average. State-level averages vary, but the award provides a consistent floor. Without a published median, the award rates are the most reliable benchmark for this occupation. For personalised comparisons, use the line tool to see how a specific salary stacks up against the national average, state averages, and the minimum wage.