Practice manager salary: which pay floor applies and what the averages show

Practice manager salary: legal minimums and what the data says

When you search for a "practice manager salary" in Australia, you will find a range of figures. This guide separates the legal minimum from survey averages, award rates, and negotiated salaries. Understanding the difference helps you know your rights and what the market typically pays.

The legal pay floor: national minimum wage

Every employee in Australia is entitled to a minimum wage. For practice managers not covered by a modern award or registered agreement, the national minimum wage applies. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the Fair Work Commission set the national minimum at $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38‑hour week. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual minimum $33.05 per hour.

However, the national minimum is a backstop. Most practice managers work in health care or professional services, where a modern award often applies. For example, the Health Professionals and Support Services Award or the Clerks Award may set higher minimum rates, including classification levels, allowances, and penalty rates. If an award covers the role, the award rate is the legal minimum—even if it is higher than the national minimum.

Some awards also have introductory rates for new employees (limited to the first six months) that can be lower than the ongoing minimum. For award‑free employees, the lowest ongoing classification cannot fall below $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week. Introductory rates cannot be less than $25.74 per hour or $978.10 per week.

Survey averages: the median practice manager salary from the ABS

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), through Jobs and Skills Australia, publishes median weekly earnings for occupations. For practice managers (ANZSCO 5122), the median full-time non‑managerial adult employee earns $1,655 per week before tax, according to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025). This is a survey average, not a legal minimum. It reflects what typical practice managers actually earn, including those covered by awards or agreements.

Note that this median is for full-time employees paid at the adult rate and excludes managers and part‑time workers. Actual practice manager salaries can be higher or lower depending on experience, location, and the size of the practice. The median is a useful benchmark but should not be confused with a minimum or a guaranteed rate.

Award rates and enterprise agreements

A modern award can set minimum pay rates for practice managers in specific industries. For example, the Health Professionals and Support Services Award includes classifications for practice managers, with rates that are updated each year following the Annual Wage Review. As of 1 July 2026, award minimums rose by 4.75%, but the exact classification rate depends on the award. You can check the Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database to find the current classification rates for your award.

If an enterprise agreement applies, the agreement can set higher rates than the award. Negotiated salaries often exceed both the award minimum and the national minimum. When comparing job offers, check whether the quoted salary is inclusive of superannuation or paid on top.

Superannuation: an employer payment on top

All practice managers are entitled to superannuation guarantee contributions from their employer. From 1 July 2026, the rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings. This is paid on top of the salary or wage, not deducted from it. For example, a practice manager earning $1,655 per week would also receive $198.60 in super (12%) from the employer. The total cost to the employer is higher than the salary alone.

What to check when you see a practice manager salary

• Is the role covered by a modern award? Check the Fair Work Commission's award database or use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool.
• If award‑free, the national minimum applies, but juniors, apprentices, and supported wage employees may have different rates.
• The median from the ABS is a guide, not a promise.
• Always ask if the salary is before or after tax and whether super is paid on top.

For more detail, see Which minimum wage applies, and Rate tables for current national minimum figures.

FAQs

What is the minimum wage for a practice manager in Australia? If no modern award or enterprise agreement covers the role, the national minimum wage applies: $26.26 per hour or $1,004.90 per week from 1 July 2026. However, many practice managers are covered by an award such as the Health Professionals and Support Services Award or the Clerks Award, which set higher minimum rates. Always check the applicable award or agreement first.

How does the median practice manager salary compare to the national minimum? According to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025), the median full-time practice manager earns $1,655 per week before tax. That is about 65% above the national minimum weekly wage of $1,004.90. The median is a useful benchmark but actual pay varies by industry, location, experience, and responsibilities.

Do practice managers receive superannuation on top of their salary? Yes. Employers must pay the super guarantee of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings (as of 2026-27). This applies to all employees, including practice managers, regardless of whether they are paid the minimum wage or a higher salary. Super is an additional cost to the employer and is not deducted from the quoted salary.

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