What is the minimum wage for a speech pathologist?

Under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, a speech pathologist holding a bachelor’s degree (AQF Level 7) in their first year must be paid at least $34.44 per hour or $1,308.80 per week. This is the legal minimum for award-covered employees. Higher rates apply with more experience or higher qualifications.

Can a speech pathologist be paid less than the award rate?

No, if the Health Professionals Award covers the role, the employer must pay at least the award minimum. However, an enterprise agreement or individual flexibility arrangement can set a higher rate. Junior rates, apprentices, and trainees may have lower percentages, but the award specifies those. The national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour is a backstop if no award applies.

Speech Pathologist Salary: Award Minimum Rates and What They Mean

Q: How does superannuation apply to a speech pathologist salary?

Superannuation is an employer payment on top of the salary. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. For a speech pathologist on the minimum award rate of $1,308.80 per week, the employer must also contribute $157.06 per week to a super fund.

The minimum pay floor for a speech pathologist salary under the Health Professionals Award is at least $34.44 per hour for a Level 1 AQF7 first-year employee, plus 12% super.

Understanding the speech pathologist salary floor

When you search for a speech pathologist salary in Australia, the first question is usually about the legal minimum. Speech pathologists are typically covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027), which sets minimum pay rates based on qualifications and years of experience. The Fair Work Commission sets these rates, and the Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides to help employers and employees understand them.

Legal minimum under the award

The award classifies speech pathologists as Health Professional employees. Most speech pathologists hold a bachelor’s degree (AQF Level 7) or a master’s degree (AQF Level 8 or 9). For a Level 1 employee with an AQF Level 7 qualification in their first year, the minimum weekly rate is $1,308.80, which works out to $34.44 per hour. This is well above the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour. As experience increases, the rate rises. For example, a Level 1 AQF7 employee in their 7th year or more must be paid at least $1,689.50 per week ($44.46 per hour).

For speech pathologists who progress to Level 2, 3, or 4 under the award, the minimum rates are higher still. Level 2.1 starts at $1,945.40 per week ($51.19 per hour), and Level 4 at $2,499.10 per week ($65.77 per hour). These rates apply to employees who meet the classification definitions in Schedule A of the award.

Separating the award rate from other figures

It is important to distinguish the legal minimum from survey averages or negotiated salaries. The award rate is the floor. Many speech pathologists earn more than the minimum due to enterprise agreements, individual contracts, or public sector pay scales. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings across all occupations were $2,083.70 per week in May 2026, but this is an average, not a speech pathologist-specific figure. No reliable median for speech pathologists is available from the sources used here.

Superannuation on top

When discussing a speech pathologist salary, remember that superannuation is an employer payment on top of the base rate. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. For a speech pathologist on the minimum award rate of $1,308.80 per week, the employer must also contribute $157.06 per week to a super fund. This is not deducted from the salary; it is additional.

How the figures work

Our Rate tables show the national minimum wage and award rates side by side. The adult national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $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, award-covered speech pathologists are entitled to the higher award rate, not the national minimum.

For more detail on how pay floors are calculated and what to do if you think you are underpaid, see our Guides section.

Negotiated salaries and enterprise agreements

A speech pathologist salary can be higher than the award if an enterprise agreement applies or if the employer offers a higher rate. Enterprise agreements must pass the better-off overall test, meaning the employee must be better off overall than under the award. Individual contracts can also set a higher rate, but they cannot undercut the award minimum.

What about juniors and trainees?

Junior speech pathologists (under 21) may be paid a percentage of the adult award rate if the award allows it. The Health Professionals Award does not have junior rates for health professional employees, so the adult rate applies regardless of age. Apprentice and trainee rates are not typical for speech pathologists, as the profession requires a university degree.

Summary

The legal minimum for a speech pathologist salary under the Health Professionals Award is at least $34.44 per hour for a new graduate with a bachelor’s degree. With experience, the rate increases. Superannuation of 12% is paid on top. If you are not covered by an award or agreement, the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour applies, but most speech pathologists are award-covered. Always check the specific award classification and your employment contract to confirm your correct rate.