What is the minimum wage for a counsellor in Australia?

The minimum wage depends on whether you are covered by an award. If no award or enterprise agreement applies, the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026) is the floor. Many counsellors are covered by awards such as the Health Professionals and Support Services Award or the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award, which set higher minimum rates. Use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool to find the correct award rate.

How much does a counsellor earn on average?

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data reported by Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time counsellor earns $1,477 per week before tax, or $39 per hour. The average weekly total cash earnings for all counsellors (including part-time) is $1,407, as reported by OzDataHub. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) reports a median taxable income of $68,437 for counsellors. These are survey averages, not guaranteed rates.

Is superannuation included in the counsellor salary figures?

No. The salary figures quoted (e.g., $1,477 per week) are gross wages before tax and do not include superannuation. Employers must pay the super guarantee of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. For a counsellor earning $1,477 per week, the employer would contribute an additional $177.24 per week into the employee’s super fund. Super is not part of take-home pay.

Counsellor salary in Australia: minimum rates, typical earnings and what you take home

The legal minimum for a counsellor is the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week, but many counsellors are covered by awards that set higher rates; the median full-time counsellor earns $1,477 per week before tax.

Understanding the counsellor salary in Australia

When researching a counsellor salary in Australia, it is important to separate the legal minimum from what people actually earn. Counsellors (ANZSCO 2721) include careers counsellors, drug and alcohol counsellors, family and marriage counsellors, rehabilitation counsellors, student counsellors, and other counsellors and life coaches. The work involves providing information and therapy for vocational, relationship, social and educational difficulties.

The legal minimum wage for counsellors

The national minimum wage, set by the Fair Work Commission and enforced by the Fair Work Ombudsman, is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week from 1 July 2026. This applies to employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. However, most counsellors work in industries covered by modern awards. Common awards include the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 and the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010. These awards set minimum rates that are often higher than the national minimum, especially for qualified or experienced counsellors. The award rate depends on the classification level, which is based on qualifications and duties. If you are covered by an award, the minimum wage in that award applies instead of the national minimum. Enterprise agreements can also set higher rates.

Typical counsellor earnings: survey data

For a realistic picture of what counsellors earn, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) provides survey data. According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time counsellor earns $1,477 per week before tax, or $39 per hour. This is based on full-time non-managerial adult employees. About 60% of counsellors work full-time, and the average full-time week is 41 hours. The median age is 44, and 71% of counsellors are women.

OzDataHub, which also uses ABS data, reports average weekly total cash earnings of $1,407 for all counsellors (including part-time). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) data shows a median taxable income of $68,437 and a median salary-and-wage amount of $66,559. These figures are averages and medians; individual salaries vary by experience, location, employer, and specialisation.

The weekly packet: tax, Medicare and super

Understanding what you actually take home from a counsellor salary requires looking at deductions and superannuation. Using the median full-time weekly earnings of $1,477, annualised to $76,804 (52 weeks), here is an approximate breakdown for a single resident with no HELP debt in the 2026-27 tax year:

Gross annual salary: $76,804
Tax (using 2026-27 rates): about $14,088
Medicare levy (2% of taxable income over $30,000): about $1,536
Net annual take-home pay: approximately $61,180
Weekly take-home: about $1,176

On top of this, the employer must pay superannuation guarantee of 12% on ordinary time earnings. That is an extra $177 per week contributed to your super fund, not included in your take-home pay.

These calculations are estimates. Your actual tax may differ due to the low-income tax offset, HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, or the Medicare levy surcharge. Use the ATO’s tax calculator for a personalised estimate.

Award rates vs negotiated salaries

If you are employed under an award, your minimum pay is set by that award. For example, a counsellor classified at a certain level under the Health Professionals award may have a minimum hourly rate above $30. Many counsellors negotiate salaries above the award minimum, especially in private practice or senior roles. The survey medians reflect these higher negotiated salaries. Always check your award or agreement for the exact rate that applies to you.

Where to find more information

Which minimum wage applies – a guide to finding your correct pay floor.
Rate tables – current national minimum wage and award backstop rates.

The Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool can help you identify your award and calculate minimum pay, penalties and allowances. The ABS and ATO websites provide official earnings data for occupations.

Key takeaways

The legal minimum for award-free counsellors is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week.
Most counsellors are covered by awards with higher minimum rates.
The median full-time counsellor earns $1,477 per week before tax.
Superannuation of 12% is paid on top of your salary, not taken from it.
Your take-home pay depends on tax, Medicare, and any salary sacrifice arrangements.

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