Does the Health Professionals Award cover all podiatrists?

Most podiatrists in private practice, hospitals, or community health are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. However, if you work under an enterprise agreement or in a state public sector role, a different instrument may apply. The award sets minimum rates; your employer may pay more.

Is superannuation included in the podiatrist salary figures?

No. The award rates and the national minimum wage are before super. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings, paid on top by the employer. For a full-time podiatrist on the award minimum, that adds about $157 per week to your total remuneration.

Can a junior or apprentice podiatrist be paid less than the adult award rate?

Yes. The award contains junior percentages (e.g., 70% at 18 years) and apprentice rates. However, the national minimum wage backstop applies, and award-free juniors have separate percentages. Always check the specific classification and your age or training stage.

Podiatrist salary: award minimums, market data and what you actually take home

The minimum podiatrist salary under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 for a Level 1 (AQF 7) first-year employee is $34.44 per hour, or $1,308.80 per 38-hour week, before tax and super.

What is the legal minimum podiatrist salary?

For a qualified podiatrist, the legal minimum pay comes from the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, which covers most podiatrists in Australia. Under Schedule B of that award, a podiatrist is classified as a Health Professional employee. The minimum rates depend on your qualification level (AQF) and years of experience.

As of 1 October 2026, the minimum hourly rate for a Level 1, AQF 7 (Bachelor degree) podiatrist in their first year is $34.44 per hour, or $1,308.80 per week for a full-time employee working 38 ordinary hours. If you hold a diploma (AQF 5 or 6) the first-year rate is $32.44 per hour. Rates increase with experience – for example, a Level 1 AQF 7 podiatrist in their 7th year or later earns $44.46 per hour.

These award rates are the legal floor. Your employer must pay at least this amount, but many podiatrists earn more through enterprise agreements or individual negotiation. If no award covers you, the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026) applies, but that is almost always lower than the award rate for a qualified podiatrist.

Which minimum wage applies explains how to check your coverage.

How does the award compare with survey data?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Jobs and Skills Australia provide market data, but the median full-time earnings for podiatrists are not published due to high standard error. The ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025) shows that for all occupations, median full-time weekly earnings are $1,852, and median hourly earnings are $47. While we cannot give a precise podiatrist median, the award minimum of $1,308.80 per week is well below that all-occupations median, suggesting many podiatrists earn above the award.

Jobs and Skills Australia reports that 75% of podiatrists work full-time, with average full-time hours of 42 per week (slightly above the award standard of 38). The median age is 43, and 58% are female.

Rate tables include the full award classification structure.

What about super, tax, and your take-home pay?

All salary figures – award rates and market data – are before tax. Superannuation is an additional employer contribution of 12% (from 1 July 2026) on top of your ordinary time earnings. For a podiatrist on the award minimum of $1,308.80 per week, that adds about $157 per week to your total remuneration, but it is not cash in hand.

Tax and the Medicare levy (2% once annual income exceeds $30,000) reduce your net pay. Using the 2026-27 tax rates with the full tax-free threshold, a weekly award salary of $1,308.80 would result in roughly $1,070 after tax and Medicare (ignoring offsets and HELP). Your actual take-home depends on your total income, deductions, and whether you salary sacrifice.

How the figures work explains the tax model used on this site.

Can a podiatrist be paid less than the award?

Only in limited circumstances. Junior employees (under 21) may be paid a percentage of the adult rate – for example, 70% at 18 years. Apprentices have separate minimum rates. However, the national minimum wage acts as a backstop, and the award’s junior rates cannot fall below the relevant national minimum for juniors.

If you are award-free (rare for podiatrists), the Miscellaneous Award or the national minimum wage applies. Always check your classification and any applicable enterprise agreement, which can set higher but not lower rates.

Topics covers junior and apprentice pay in more detail.

Summary

Legal minimum for a qualified podiatrist (Level 1, AQF 7, 1st year): $34.44/h, $1,308.80/week.
National minimum wage backstop: $26.44/h (only if no award covers you).
Super: 12% on top, paid by employer.
Market data: Median not available, but all-occupations median is $47/h.
Take-home: Award minimum yields about $1,070/week after tax and Medicare.

Use the award rates as your baseline when negotiating or checking your pay. If you believe you are underpaid, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman for advice.