What is the minimum wage for a biomedical engineer in Australia?

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for adult employees not covered by an award or agreement. However, biomedical engineers may be covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, which sets higher minimum rates. Always check the applicable award or enterprise agreement.

Are biomedical engineers covered by a modern award?

Many biomedical engineers are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027). This award includes classification levels and minimum pay rates that are higher than the national minimum. Employers must pay at least the award rate for the classification that matches the employee's duties and qualifications. Some may be covered by other awards or enterprise agreements.

How is superannuation calculated for biomedical engineers?

Superannuation is paid by the employer on top of ordinary time earnings. The super guarantee rate is 12% from 1 July 2026. For example, if your ordinary weekly earnings are $1,500, the employer must contribute an additional $180 into your super fund. This is not deducted from your pay.

Biomedical Engineer Salary: Pay Floors, Award Rates, and What You Take Home

The median biomedical engineer salary is not publicly available from the ABS or Jobs and Skills Australia is not available, but the national minimum wage sets a floor of $26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026.

Understanding the Biomedical Engineer Salary Landscape

When researching a biomedical engineer salary in Australia, you will quickly find that official median earnings figures are not published. The Australian Bureau of Statistics and Jobs and Skills Australia report that median weekly earnings for biomedical engineers are not available (N/A) due to the small size of the occupation (about 1,300 employed nationally). This means there is no single reliable survey average to point to. Instead, we can look at the legal pay floors and the factors that determine actual take-home pay.

Biomedical engineers apply engineering principles to biology and medicine, working in health care, manufacturing, and wholesale trade. Most work full-time (88%), with an average of 41 hours per week, according to the 2021 Census. The median age is 37, and 21% are women. Educational attainment is high: over 77% hold a bachelor degree or higher.

The Legal Minimum and Award Coverage

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a full-time adult employee. This is the absolute floor for award-free and agreement-free employees in the national system. However, most biomedical engineers are likely covered by a modern award. The most relevant is the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027). This award contains classification levels for health professionals, including biomedical engineers, with minimum pay rates that are higher than the national minimum. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides for this award.

If an enterprise agreement applies to your workplace, the rates in that agreement must be at least as high as the award. Negotiated salaries for experienced biomedical engineers can be significantly higher than award minima, but there is no publicly available median to confirm typical levels.

It is important to note that the legal minimum is not always the rate you receive. Juniors, apprentices, trainees, and employees on introductory award rates may be paid less than the adult national minimum. For award-free juniors, the percentages range from 36.8% for under 16 to 97.7% for 20-year-olds. Always check the specific award or agreement that applies.

The Weekly Packet: Tax, Medicare, and Super

Your take-home pay depends on your gross salary, tax withheld, and Medicare levy. For the 2026-27 tax year, resident tax rates apply with the full tax-free threshold. Medicare is 2% once annualised ordinary gross income reaches $30,000. The low-income tax offset and other offsets can reduce tax, but this model leaves them out for simplicity.

Superannuation is an employer payment on top of your ordinary time earnings. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12%. If your gross weekly salary is $1,500, your employer must contribute $180 into your super fund. This is not deducted from your pay; it is an additional cost to the employer.

To estimate your weekly packet, start with your gross salary, subtract tax and Medicare, and remember that super is extra. For example, on the national minimum wage of $1,004.90 per week, annualised to $52,254.80, tax and Medicare would reduce take-home pay, and super would add $6,270.58 per year to your retirement savings.

Where to Find More Information

For the most accurate pay rates, consult the Rate tables on this site or the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool. If you are covered by an award, the award pay guide will list the minimum rates for your classification. For understanding how figures are calculated, see How the figures work.

Remember that the Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage and modern award rates. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces these rates. If you are unsure which award applies, check the award coverage tool on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.

In summary, while a precise median biomedical engineer salary is not publicly available, the legal minimum is clear. Your actual salary will depend on your award classification, enterprise agreement, experience, and negotiation. Always ensure you are paid at least the minimum rate that applies to your situation.