Paramedic salary: award rates and the national minimum wage

Paramedic salary under the Ambulance and Patient Transport Industry Award

When you search for a "paramedic salary" in Australia, the first thing to understand is that paramedics are covered by a specific modern award: the Ambulance and Patient Transport Industry Award 2020 (MA000098). This award sets legally binding minimum pay rates that are higher than the national minimum wage. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides and the full award text to help employers and employees work out the correct rates.

Award rates versus the national minimum wage

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. However, this floor applies only to employees not covered by an award or registered agreement. Because paramedics are covered by the Ambulance and Patient Transport Industry Award, their minimum pay is set by the award classification structure.

For an ambulance officer (paramedic) in their first year, the award minimum is $34.46 per hour, or $1,309.50 per week for a 38-hour week. In the second year it rises to $34.72 per hour, and in the third year to $34.92 per hour. These rates are significantly above the national minimum. The award also includes higher rates for senior roles such as station officer or team manager, with weekly rates ranging from $1,389.90 to $1,574.20 depending on experience and responsibility.

What the award covers

The award covers ambulance officers, paramedics, patient transport officers, communications staff, and other operational classifications. It includes penalty rates for Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays, as well as shift allowances and on-call payments. For example, a first-year ambulance officer working on a public holiday is entitled to $86.15 per hour. These extras are on top of the base hourly rate.

Superannuation is paid on top

All minimum rates in the award are base pay before tax. Employers must also pay the superannuation guarantee, which is 12% of ordinary time earnings from 1 July 2026. For a first-year paramedic earning $34.46 per hour, the employer contributes an additional $4.14 per hour into the employee's super fund. This means the total employment cost is about $38.60 per hour.

When a higher rate may apply

The award sets the legal minimum, but some employers pay above the award rate through enterprise agreements or individual contracts. If an enterprise agreement applies, it must pass the better off overall test and cannot undercut the award. Always check your employment contract or agreement to see if a higher rate applies. The Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool can help calculate the correct pay for your situation.

Award-free employees and the national minimum

If a paramedic were somehow not covered by an award (which is rare), the national minimum wage would apply. But because the Ambulance and Patient Transport Industry Award covers virtually all paramedic roles in the private and public sectors, the award rate is the relevant floor. For more on how the national minimum interacts with awards, see Which minimum wage applies and Rate tables.

Summary

The paramedic salary under the Ambulance and Patient Transport Industry Award starts at $34.46 per hour for a first-year ambulance officer, well above the $26.44 national minimum wage. With experience, penalties, and superannuation, total remuneration is higher. Always refer to the award or your enterprise agreement for the exact rate that applies to your classification and years of service.

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