Medical Receptionist Salary: Award Rates and Pay Floors in Australia 2026
The legal minimum medical receptionist salary is set by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, with Level 1 at $26.97 per hour from October 2026.
Medical Receptionist Salary: Award Rates and Pay Floors
If you are looking for the medical receptionist salary in Australia, the first thing to understand is that a legal minimum applies under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027). This award covers employees in health facilities such as clinics, practices, and surgeries who perform reception duties. The Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces the award, while the Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage.
The Award Minimum for Medical Receptionists
Medical receptionists are classified under Support Services in the award. The lowest ongoing classification is Level 1, which from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 October 2026 pays $26.97 per hour and **$1,024.70 per week for a full-time employee working 38 ordinary hours. The award also sets higher rates for Level 2 through Level 9, depending on duties and experience. For example, Level 2 pays $28.03 per hour. These rates are the legal floor; an employer cannot pay less unless a junior, apprentice, or supported wage provision applies.
Casual medical receptionists receive a 25% casual loading, making the casual hourly rate $33.71 at Level 1. Shiftwork, Saturday, Sunday, and public holiday penalties also apply as per the award.
How the Award Compares to the National Minimum Wage
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is **$26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week) for award-free employees who are not covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement. However, the Health Professionals and Support Services Award rate for Level 1 is higher than the national minimum, so the award rate prevails. For the first six months in a new job, an introductory rate of $25.74 per hour may apply, but after that the full award rate must be paid.
Survey Averages and Actual Pay
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) provides median earnings for medical receptionists, but the most recent median weekly figure from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025) is not published for the 6-digit occupation code 542114 due to high relative standard error. Therefore we cannot report a precise median. The Jobs and Skills Australia profile notes that only 31% of medical receptionists work full-time hours, with average full-time hours of 40 hours per week. Actual salaries can be higher than the award minimum, especially for experienced receptionists in larger practices or those with additional responsibilities such as billing or scheduling.
Superannuation on Top
Employers must pay super guarantee contributions of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings (from 1 July 2026). For a full-time Level 1 medical receptionist on $26.97 per hour, the super is about $3.24 per hour, paid into a fund. This is not deducted from the hourly rate.
Which Pay Floor Applies?
If you are a medical receptionist in a private medical practice that is a national-system employer, the Health Professionals and Support Services Award covers you. Check your classification level and any applicable agreement. For award-free employees, the national minimum wage applies. Always refer to the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool or the award itself for precise rates.
For more details, see our Rate tables and Guides on how pay floors work.
Frequently Asked Questions
See the FAQs above for casual loading, junior rates, and super guarantee.
Questions people ask next
What is the casual loading for a medical receptionist?
Under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award, casual employees receive a 25% loading on the ordinary hourly rate. For a Level 1 medical receptionist, the casual rate is $33.71 per hour (from October 2026). This loading is paid instead of leave entitlements.
Can a medical receptionist be paid less than the award rate?
No. The award sets the legal minimum. However, junior employees (under 21) may be paid a percentage of the adult rate: 50% at under 17, 60% at 17, 70% at 18, 80% at 19, and 90% at 20. Apprentices and trainees also have separate rates. An enterprise agreement can set higher but not lower rates.
Does the super guarantee apply to medical receptionist pay?
Yes. Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings (from 1 July 2026). This is calculated on the base rate plus any loadings (e.g., casual loading) but not on overtime. The super is paid into a complying fund.
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