Physiotherapist salary Australia: weekly, yearly and hourly pay
If you are looking at a physiotherapist salary in Australia, the most reliable figure comes from the Australian Bureau of Statistics via Jobs and Skills Australia. The median full-time weekly earnings for physiotherapists is $1,888 per week, which works out to about $98,176 per year (multiply by 52) and $50 per hour. This is for full-time non-managerial employees before tax, based on the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025.
How does that compare to the national average?
The national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings are $2,083.70 per week (about $108,352 per year), according to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026. That means the typical physiotherapist earns about $196 per week less than the national full-time average. The national full-time median (all occupations) is about $90,532 per year, so physiotherapists sit above that median but below the average.
Award minimums for physiotherapists
Physiotherapists are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award (MA000027). From 1 October 2026, the minimum weekly rates range from $1,024.70 (Level 1) to $1,497.80 (Level 9 pay point 3). The hourly rates start at $26.97 and go up to $39.42. These are the legal minimums, but most physiotherapists earn above award, as shown by the median of $1,888 per week.
State-by-state differences
The national full-time average varies by state. For example, Western Australia has the highest average at about $115,825 per year, while Tasmania is lower at about $96,008. Physiotherapist salaries may also vary by location, but the national median of $98,176 is a good benchmark. You can see how your state compares on the States and territories page.
Reading the same pay as a year, a week and an hour
This site shows every salary as a yearly figure, a weekly figure (based on a 38-hour week), and an hourly rate. For a physiotherapist earning the median of $1,888 per week, that is:
- Yearly: $98,176 (before tax)
- Weekly: $1,888
- Hourly: $50 (based on the median hourly rate from the survey)
Note that the hourly rate from the survey is $50, which is higher than the award minimums and reflects the typical market rate.
Tax on a physiotherapist salary
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; and 45% above $190,000. Plus a 2% Medicare levy (with possible reductions). On $98,176, the tax would be roughly $22,967 plus Medicare, leaving about $73,000 after tax. Use the Place a salary on the line tool to see your exact take-home pay.
Where does this data come from?
The median figure for physiotherapists is from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, as reported by Jobs and Skills Australia. The national average is from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey, May 2026. Award rates are from Fair Work. All figures are before tax and salary sacrifice. For more on how these figures are set, see How the figures are set.
Summary
The physiotherapist salary in Australia is around $98,176 per year at the median, which is below the national full-time average of $108,352 but above the national full-time median of $90,532. The award minimum is much lower, so actual pay depends on experience, location and employer. For a personalised comparison, use the Job medians page to see how other occupations stack up.