Clinical Trial Coordinator Salary: Minimum Wage, Award Rates, and What You Should Know
The legal minimum for a clinical trial coordinator depends on the applicable modern award; the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour, but many coordinators are covered by an award with higher rates.
Understanding the clinical trial coordinator salary landscape
When you search for a clinical trial coordinator salary in Australia, you will find a wide range of figures. Some come from job advertisements, others from employee surveys, and a few from official government sources. This guide cuts through the noise by separating the legal minimum from survey averages, award rates, and negotiated salaries. Knowing which pay floor applies to you is essential for fair pay discussions.
The legal minimum: national minimum wage and award coverage
Every employee in Australia is entitled to a minimum wage. If you are not covered by a modern award or an enterprise agreement, the national minimum wage applies. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, that rate is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week. Casual employees receive a loading of 25%, making the casual minimum $33.05 per hour.
However, most clinical trial coordinators work in healthcare, research, or pharmaceutical settings that are covered by a modern award. The most likely award is the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, which includes classifications for health professionals (such as medical scientists and clinical research associates) and support staff. The award sets minimum hourly rates that are higher than the national minimum, depending on your level of qualification and experience. For example, a Health Professional Level 1 (graduate) rate under that award is typically above $30 per hour, and higher levels pay more.
Other awards may apply if you work for a university (e.g., the Higher Education Industry Academic Staff Award or the Professional Employees Award) or a state public hospital (state awards). The Fair Work Ombudsman provides a free Pay and Conditions Tool to help you identify the correct award and classification.
Survey averages vs. legal minimums
Online salary surveys, such as those from Glassdoor, report an average clinical trial coordinator salary of around $82,000 per year, with a typical range of $72,000 to $95,000. These figures are self-reported and not verified by government agencies. They may include bonuses, allowances, or overtime that are not part of the minimum wage. Importantly, survey averages are not a legal entitlement. Your employer must pay at least the award rate or the national minimum, whichever is higher. The survey data can give you a sense of the market, but it should not be used to determine your minimum pay.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes average weekly earnings for all employees, but it does not provide a specific figure for clinical trial coordinators. As of May 2026, full-time adult ordinary-time earnings were $2,083.70 per week, and all employees average total earnings were $1,579.20 per week. These are broad averages and may not reflect your role.
Award rates and enterprise agreements
If you are covered by a modern award, your minimum pay is set by the award classification. The Fair Work Commission updates these rates each year following the Annual Wage Review. For the Health Professionals Award, the 2026 increase was 4.75%, applied from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. The lowest ongoing classification under that award cannot fall below the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour. Some awards have introductory rates for new employees (e.g., the first six months), which can be lower, but they must be at least $25.74 per hour from 1 July 2026.
Enterprise agreements can set higher rates than the award. If your workplace has a registered agreement, check the agreement for your minimum pay. You can find enterprise agreements on the Fair Work Commission’s website.
Superannuation: an employer payment on top
When discussing your clinical trial coordinator salary, remember that the super guarantee is an additional payment your employer must make. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of your ordinary time earnings. This is paid into a super fund on your behalf and is not part of your take-home pay. Your salary figure (whether from an award, agreement, or negotiation) is the gross amount before super is added.
How to check your own rate
To find out exactly what you should be paid, follow these steps:
- Identify your award or agreement. Ask your employer or use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool. If you are award-free, the national minimum applies.
- Find your classification. Awards group jobs into levels based on skills, qualifications, and responsibilities. Match your duties to the classification descriptions.
- Look up the minimum hourly rate. Use the Rate tables on this site or the Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database. Remember that penalty rates and allowances may apply for weekend, evening, or overtime work.
- Compare with survey data. Use survey averages only as a market reference, not as a legal benchmark.
Important exceptions
Not every worker must receive $26.44 per hour. Junior employees (under 21), apprentices, trainees, and employees with disability may have lower minimum rates. For example, a 17-year-old award-free junior is entitled to 57.8% of the national minimum, or $15.29 per hour. Introductory rates under some awards are limited to the first six months. Always check the specific rules that apply to you.
Final thoughts
The clinical trial coordinator salary you earn should at least meet the legal minimum for your classification. If you suspect you are being underpaid, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman for advice. For more information on how minimum wages work in Australia, see Which minimum wage applies and Guides.
Summary table of key figures (2026–27)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| National minimum wage (adult, per hour) | $26.44 |
| National minimum wage (adult, per week) | $1,004.90 |
| Casual loading (25%) | $33.05 per hour |
| Super guarantee (on top) | 12% of ordinary time earnings |
| Introductory award rate (first 6 months, minimum) | $25.74 per hour |
| ABS full-time adult ordinary-time earnings (May 2026) | $2,083.70 per week |
These figures are for orientation only and do not constitute legal or tax advice. Always refer to the Fair Work Ombudsman or the Fair Work Commission for authoritative information.
Questions people ask next
What is the minimum wage for a clinical trial coordinator?
If you are not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement, the national minimum wage applies: $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week (from 1 July 2026). However, most clinical trial coordinators are likely covered by a modern award such as the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, which sets higher minimum rates based on classification level. Use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool to check your exact award coverage.
Does superannuation count as part of my salary?
No. The super guarantee (currently 12% of ordinary time earnings) is paid by your employer on top of your salary. It is not part of your minimum wage or award rate. Your salary is the gross amount before tax and before super is added.
How can I find the correct award rate for my role?
Start by identifying the modern award that covers your industry and duties. Clinical trial coordinators often fall under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, but other awards may apply depending on the employer (e.g., hospital, university, or private research organisation). The Fair Work Ombudsman’s website provides a free Pay and Conditions Tool that asks about your job and gives the correct minimum rates, penalties, and allowances.
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