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Patient transport officer salary: minimum award rates, weekly pay, and how it compares to the national average

Under the Ambulance and Patient Transport Industry Award, a full-time patient transport officer earns a minimum of $1,218.00 per week ($32.05 per hour) in Year 1, rising to $1,235.10 per week ($32.50 per hour) in Year 3 and above, which is well below the national full-time average of $2,083.70 per week.

This sits $31,912 under the Australian full-time average, about 29.5% below the line. The closest full-time state average is Tasmania. It is off the left edge of the ruler. This close-up only covers full-time state averages.

Week, hour, and a tax sketch

$1,470 a week · $38.68 an hour if spread over 38 hours

About $61,459 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

Patient transport officer salary: minimum award rates

Patient transport officers in Australia are covered by the Ambulance and Patient Transport Industry Award 2020. This award sets minimum pay rates for full-time, part-time, and casual employees. The rates are updated each year, with the latest increase taking effect from 1 July 2026.

Full-time weekly and hourly rates

For a full-time employee working 38 ordinary hours per week, the minimum weekly rates are:

  • Year 1: $1,218.00 per week ($32.05 per hour)
  • Year 2: $1,227.00 per week ($32.29 per hour)
  • Year 3 and above: $1,235.10 per week ($32.50 per hour)

These are the minimums; many employers may pay above award rates, and enterprise agreements can set different conditions.

Annual salary equivalents

Multiplying the weekly rate by 52 gives an approximate annual salary before tax:

  • Year 1: $63,336
  • Year 2: $63,804
  • Year 3 and above: $64,225

These figures are below the national full-time average but above the national minimum wage of $52,255 per year (from 1 July 2026).

Casual rates

Casual patient transport officers receive a 25% loading on the ordinary hourly rate. The casual hourly rates are:

  • Year 1: $40.06 per hour
  • Year 2: $40.36 per hour
  • Year 3 and above: $40.63 per hour

Casual employees are also entitled to penalty rates and overtime as per the award.

How patient transport officer pay compares to national averages

The national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings is $2,083.70, according to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026. That equates to about $108,352 per year. The patient transport officer minimum weekly rate of $1,218 to $1,235 is roughly 58–59% of that average.

For context, the full-time median earnings (from ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025) are about $90,532 per year, and the all-employees median is about $74,100. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week. Patient transport officer minimum rates are above the national minimum wage but still well below the full-time median.

State comparisons

State full-time averages vary, and patient transport officer minimums are below all of them:

  • New South Wales: $109,658
  • 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

These averages are for all full-time adult employees, not specific to patient transport officers.

Reading pay as a year, week, and hour

The award provides clear weekly and hourly rates. To convert:

  • Weekly to annual: multiply by 52 (assuming 52 weeks of full-time work)
  • Hourly to weekly: multiply by 38 (ordinary hours per week)
  • Hourly to annual: multiply by 38 and then by 52, or multiply weekly by 52

For example, a Year 1 patient transport officer earning $32.05 per hour works 38 hours for $1,218.00 per week, which is $63,336 per year. This straightforward conversion helps you see the pay in the format that suits your budget or comparison.

If you want to see how your own salary sits against the national line, you can place a salary on the line. For more detail on how these figures are determined, see how the figures are set.

Additional pay components

Patient transport officers may receive more than the minimum rate through:

  • Penalty rates: Saturday and Sunday work at 150%, public holidays at 250%
  • Shift allowances: $59.71 per shift for work finishing between 6pm and 8am or starting between 6pm and 6.30am
  • On-call and recall payments: $64.10 to $65.00 per hour for on-call working time and recall
  • Overtime: first 2 hours at 150%, after 2 hours at 200%
  • Working more than 12 shifts in a row: 300% for Year 1, 300% for Year 2, 300% for Year 3 and above (based on the pay guide)

These extras can significantly boost total earnings, especially for those working irregular hours or overtime.

Tax considerations

For the 2026–27 financial year, resident tax rates are:

  • Nil up to $18,200
  • 15% from $18,201 to $45,000
  • 30% from $45,001 to $135,000
  • 37% from $135,001 to $190,000
  • 45% above $190,000

Plus a 2% Medicare levy (subject to reductions for low-income earners). A patient transport officer earning $63,336 would fall into the 30% bracket, with a marginal tax rate of 32% including Medicare. The actual tax payable depends on deductions and offsets.

Where to find more information

The Fair Work Ombudsman provides a pay guide for the Ambulance and Patient Transport Industry Award with detailed rates for all classifications, including penalty rates, allowances, and overtime. You can also use the Pay and Conditions Tool on the Fair Work website to calculate your entitlements based on your specific circumstances.

Remember that the award rates are minimums. If you are covered by an enterprise agreement or have individual negotiations, your pay may be higher. Always check your employment contract and applicable award or agreement.

Questions

What is the minimum weekly salary for a patient transport officer under the award?

Under the Ambulance and Patient Transport Industry Award 2020, the minimum weekly rate for a full-time patient transport officer is $1,218.00 in Year 1, $1,227.00 in Year 2, and $1,235.10 in Year 3 and above. These rates are for a 38-hour week and are updated from 1 July 2026. Casual employees receive a 25% loading on the hourly rate.

How does a patient transport officer's pay compare to the national full-time average?

The national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings is $2,083.70 (about $108,352 per year) according to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026. A patient transport officer's minimum weekly rate of $1,218.00 to $1,235.10 is significantly lower, equating to roughly 58–59% of the national average. Actual earnings may be higher due to allowances, overtime, or enterprise agreements.

What penalty rates and allowances apply to patient transport officers?

The award provides penalty rates including Saturday and Sunday work at 150% of the ordinary rate, public holidays at 250%, shift allowances for work between 6pm and 8am, on-call allowances, and recall payments. Overtime is paid at 150% for the first 2 hours and 200% thereafter. These additional payments can significantly increase total earnings.

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