What is the minimum sonographer salary Melbourne under the award?

Under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, a sonographer (Health Professional Level 1 with AQF Level 7) must be paid at least $34.44 per hour in the first year, rising to $44.46 per hour after seven years. These rates apply from 1 October 2026 after the gender‑based undervaluation review. An enterprise agreement or individual contract can set a higher rate.

How does the sonographer salary Melbourne compare to the national minimum wage?

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour. The award minimum for a sonographer is well above that, reflecting the skilled nature of the role. Even the lowest award classification for support services is $26.97 per hour, so sonographers are always paid more than the national floor.

What is the typical take‑home pay for a sonographer in Melbourne after tax and super?

Take‑home pay depends on the exact salary and your tax situation. As a rough guide, a sonographer earning the award minimum of $1,308.80 per week (38 hours) would have about $1,100 after tax and the Medicare levy (assuming no other deductions). Super of 12% ($157.06) is paid on top by the employer. Most sonographers earn above the minimum, so actual take‑home is higher.

Sonographer salary Melbourne: award minimums, typical pay, and what you take home

The legal minimum for a sonographer in Melbourne is set by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, with a Level 1 (AQF 7) first‑year rate of $34.44 per hour, but actual salaries are typically higher.

Sonographer salary Melbourne: separating the legal minimum from what you actually earn

If you are researching a sonographer salary Melbourne, the first thing to understand is the difference between the legal minimum, a survey average, an award rate, and a negotiated salary. Each serves a different purpose, and confusing them can lead to unrealistic expectations.

The legal minimum: the Health Professionals and Support Services Award

Sonographers are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027). The Fair Work Commission sets the minimum rates in this award, and the Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces them. Under the award, a sonographer is classified as a Health Professional employee. The most common entry point is Level 1 with an AQF Level 7 qualification (a bachelor degree). As of 1 October 2026, the minimum hourly rate for a first‑year Level 1 sonographer is $34.44 per hour, or $1,308.80 per week for a 38‑hour week. After seven years at Level 1, the rate rises to $44.46 per hour ($1,689.50 per week).

These rates are the legal floor. An employer cannot pay less, but an enterprise agreement or a common law contract can set a higher rate. The award also requires superannuation of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. That means the employer must contribute an additional 12% of the weekly wage into a super fund.

Survey averages and typical pay

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes average earnings for full‑time adult employees, but it does not release a specific figure for sonographers in Melbourne. The May 2026 ABS data shows average full‑time adult ordinary‑time earnings of $2,083.70 per week across all occupations. Sonographers are skilled health professionals, so their typical pay is likely above that average. However, without a dedicated ABS survey for sonographers, we cannot give a precise median. Industry salary surveys (such as those from recruitment agencies) often report figures in the range of $90,000 to $120,000 per year for experienced sonographers in Melbourne, but these are not official and should be treated as indicative only.

Award rates vs negotiated salaries

The award rate is the minimum. Many sonographers in Melbourne negotiate salaries above the award, especially in private practices or public hospitals with enterprise agreements. A negotiated salary might include additional allowances, penalty rates for weekend work, or a higher base rate in exchange for flexibility. Always check whether your contract references the award or an enterprise agreement. If you are covered by an agreement, the agreement rate applies and must be at least as high as the award.

What you actually take home: tax, Medicare, and super

When discussing a sonographer salary Melbourne, it is important to consider the weekly packet after deductions. Using the award minimum for a first‑year sonographer:

Gross weekly pay: $1,308.80
Super (12% paid by employer on top): $157.06
Estimated tax (using 2026‑27 rates with full tax‑free threshold): about $195
Medicare levy (2% once annualised ordinary gross exceeds $30,000): about $26
Net weekly pay (after tax and Medicare): approximately $1,088

This is a rough estimate. It excludes the low income tax offset, HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, and the Medicare levy surcharge. Your actual take‑home will vary. The key point: super is an employer payment on top, not deducted from your pay.

How the figures work

We use official sources from the Fair Work Commission, Fair Work Ombudsman, and ABS. The award rates we quote come from the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 as updated by the 2026 Annual Wage Review and the gender‑based undervaluation decision. The national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour applies only to award‑free employees; sonographers are not award‑free, so their floor is the award rate.

For more detail on how we calculate pay, see our How the figures work page. You can also browse Rate tables for other health professional classifications.

Important caveats

The award minimum is not a guarantee of a job offer. Actual salaries depend on experience, employer, and location.
Some sonographers may be covered by a different award if they work in a state public sector role, but most private‑sector sonographers in Melbourne are in the national system.
Junior rates, apprentice rates, and supported wages can be lower, but these rarely apply to qualified sonographers.
Always verify your specific pay conditions with your employer or the Fair Work Ombudsman.