Is there a published median salary for biomedical engineers?

No. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) does not publish median weekly earnings for six-digit occupations such as Biomedical Engineer (ANZSCO 233913). The Jobs and Skills Australia profile for this occupation notes that median earnings figures are not produced for six-digit codes. Therefore, any median figure you see elsewhere is likely an estimate or from a private survey, not an official government statistic.

Can a biomedical engineer be paid less than the national minimum wage?

Only in limited circumstances. Juniors, apprentices, trainees, and employees on introductory award rates (for the first six months) may be paid less. For example, award-free juniors have percentage-based minimums (e.g., $9.73 per hour for under 16). However, once you are an adult and not in a training arrangement, the full adult minimum applies. Always check your award or agreement, as it may require a higher rate.

Biomedical Engineering Salary: Legal Minimums and What the Data Shows

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

The minimum wage depends on whether you are covered by an award. If no award applies, the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026) is the floor. However, most biomedical engineers are likely covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 or the Professional Employees Award, which set higher minimum rates. You should check the applicable award or your enterprise agreement. Superannuation of 12% is paid on top of your ordinary time earnings.

The legal minimum for biomedical engineers is the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (or higher if an award applies), but no official median salary figure is available for this specific occupation from the ABS.

Understanding the Biomedical Engineering Salary Landscape

When you search for a biomedical engineering salary in Australia, you are likely looking for a reliable pay figure. This guide separates the legal minimum from survey averages, award rates, and negotiated salaries. We rely on official sources such as the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Fair Work Commission, and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Biomedical engineers are classified under ANZSCO 233913. According to the Jobs and Skills Australia profile, there are about 1,300 biomedical engineers employed nationally. The profile provides useful demographic and hours data but explicitly states that median weekly earnings are not produced for six-digit occupations. This means no official median salary is available from the ABS or Jobs and Skills Australia for this specific role.

The Legal Minimum: Awards and the National Minimum Wage

The first step in understanding any biomedical engineering salary is knowing the pay floor. Most employees in Australia are covered by a modern award. Biomedical engineers may fall under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 or the Professional Employees Award, depending on their duties and employer. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database includes minimum rates for health professional employees, but the exact classification for biomedical engineers is not specified in the search results provided.

If no award applies, the national minimum wage sets the legal minimum. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a full-time employee (38 ordinary hours). Casual employees receive a 25% loading, bringing the casual rate to $33.05 per hour. Remember, superannuation of 12% is paid on top of these amounts.

Award-free junior employees have percentage-based minimums: for example, a 20-year-old must receive at least $25.84 per hour (97.7% of the adult rate). Apprentices and trainees have their own rates under the Miscellaneous Award.

It is important to note that a modern award or enterprise agreement can set a higher rate than the national minimum. Always check your specific instrument. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool can help you find the correct award and classification.

Survey Averages vs Award Rates vs Negotiated Salaries

A biomedical engineering salary can vary widely. Without an official median from the ABS, any average you see is likely from a private salary survey or job advertisement. These figures are not legally binding and may not reflect the full range of pay in the industry.

Award rates are the legal minimums set by the Fair Work Commission. They are updated each year, usually on 1 July. For example, the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 saw changes from 1 October 2026 due to gender undervaluation reviews. These rates are the floor, not the ceiling.

Negotiated salaries are common for experienced biomedical engineers, especially in private sector roles. Your actual pay may be higher than the award rate based on your skills, experience, and the employer’s market conditions.

For context, the ABS reported that full-time adult average weekly ordinary-time earnings across all occupations were $2,083.70 in May 2026. However, this is not specific to biomedical engineers and should not be used as a benchmark for this occupation.

How Superannuation Fits In

When discussing a biomedical engineering salary, always remember that superannuation is an employer payment on top of your base pay. The super guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings from 1 July 2026. This means if your base salary is $60,000, your employer must contribute an additional $7,200 to your super fund. Super is not part of your take-home pay but is a mandatory benefit.

Key Considerations for Biomedical Engineers

Casual loading: If you work as a casual biomedical engineer, you are entitled to a 25% loading on the minimum hourly rate. This compensates for the lack of paid leave.
Age percentages: If you are under 21 and award-free, your minimum wage is a percentage of the adult rate. For example, a 19-year-old award-free employee must receive at least $21.82 per hour.
Penalty rates: If you work weekends, public holidays, or late nights, your award may require penalty rates. Check your award for specific provisions.
Enterprise agreements: Some hospitals or research institutions have enterprise agreements that set higher pay and conditions. These override the award.

For more details on which pay floor applies to you, see our guide Which minimum wage applies. You can also browse Rate tables for current national minimum and award rates.

Conclusion

While a precise median biomedical engineering salary is not published by official sources, the legal minimum is clear: either the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour or a higher award rate. Always verify your award coverage and check for any enterprise agreement. Use the tools provided by the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Fair Work Commission to ensure you are receiving at least the minimum you are entitled to.

For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.