Radiographer salary in Australia: award minimums and the national pay floor

Understanding the radiographer salary floor

When people search for a radiographer salary in Australia, they often want to know the minimum they can expect to be paid. The answer is not a single number because your legal pay floor depends on whether you are covered by a modern award, an enterprise agreement, or no award at all. This guide separates the different layers so you can see which rate applies to you.

The national minimum wage – the backstop

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage each year. From 1 July 2026, the adult rate is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. Casual employees get a 25% loading, making the casual rate $33.05 per hour. This is the absolute minimum that any award-free employee can be paid. However, most radiographers are covered by an award or agreement that sets a higher rate, so the national minimum rarely applies directly.

The Health Professionals award – the likely floor for radiographers

Medical Diagnostic Radiographers are classified under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027). The award covers employees who perform work as health professionals, including radiographers. Under this award, a radiographer is a Health Professional employee. The minimum rate depends on the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level of your qualification and your years of experience at that level.

For a radiographer with a bachelor degree (AQF Level 7) in their first year, the minimum weekly rate from 1 July 2026 is $1,308.80 ($34.44 per hour). After two to three years it rises to $1,409.00 ($37.08/h), after four to six years to $1,565.30 ($41.19/h), and after seven years or more to $1,689.50 ($44.46/h). Higher levels (Level 2, 3, 4) apply to more senior or specialised roles, with Level 4 starting at $2,499.10 per week ($65.77/h).

These award rates are the legal minimum for covered employees. An employer can pay more, but not less. The award also includes allowances for shift work, on-call, and other conditions.

Enterprise agreements and market rates

Many public hospitals and private imaging providers have enterprise agreements that set higher wages than the award. These agreements are negotiated between the employer and employees (or their union) and must pass the Better Off Overall Test. If you work under an enterprise agreement, your minimum is the rate in that agreement, which is almost always above the award.

For market salaries – what employers actually offer – you would need to look at job advertisements or industry surveys. The ABS does not publish a median weekly earnings figure for the six-digit occupation of Medical Diagnostic Radiographer. The Jobs and Skills Australia profile shows that 67% of radiographers work full-time, averaging 40 hours per week, but no pay figure is given. Actual salaries can vary by location, experience, and employer.

Superannuation is on top

All minimum rates mentioned are before super. Your employer must pay superannuation guarantee of 12% on your ordinary-time earnings. For example, on the award minimum of $1,308.80 per week, the employer must contribute an extra $157.06 to your super fund. This is not deducted from your pay; it is an additional cost to the employer.

What about juniors, apprentices, and trainees?

The national minimum wage has lower rates for employees under 21 who are award-free. For example, a 17-year-old award-free employee gets 57.8% of the adult rate ($15.29/h). However, the Health Professionals award does not have junior rates for health professional employees – it only has junior rates for support services classifications. If you are a radiographer under 21, you are still entitled to the full adult rate for your classification under the award. Apprentices and trainees have separate minimum rates under the award or the Miscellaneous Award.

How to check your own rate

To find your exact pay floor, first determine if you are covered by the Health Professionals award. If you work in a private practice or a public hospital that has not made an enterprise agreement, the award likely applies. Check your pay slip against the classification definitions in Schedule B of the award. If you are covered by an enterprise agreement, that agreement sets your minimum. If you are award-free and agreement-free, the national minimum applies.

For more detail, see our Which minimum wage applies guide and the Rate tables for award classifications.

Common misunderstandings

A frequent mix-up is thinking the national minimum wage of $26.44 is the floor for everyone. In reality, award-covered radiographers must receive at least the award rate, which is significantly higher. Another confusion is treating the award rate as a 'typical' salary – it is only the minimum, and many radiographers earn more. Finally, remember that super is not part of the wage; it is an extra payment the employer makes to your super fund.

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