What is the average biosecurity officer salary in Australia?

The median full-time biosecurity officer salary is around $91,000 per year, based on industry surveys. However, actual pay depends on your employer and classification. For example, a New South Wales government biosecurity officer role in Young is advertised at $87,199 to $95,482 per year plus super. The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish a specific figure for this occupation, so the $91,000 figure is an indicative estimate, not official data.

How do I calculate my annual salary from an hourly rate?

Multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work each week, then multiply by 52 weeks. For a standard full-time role, we assume 38 hours per week. For example, an hourly rate of $46.00 × 38 hours × 52 weeks = $90,896 per year. You can use [the timesheet](/) to do this calculation. Remember that super is paid on top of your ordinary earnings, and tax is deducted from your gross pay.

Does a biosecurity officer get casual loading and super?

If you are employed as a casual biosecurity officer, you are entitled to a 25% casual loading on top of the base hourly rate, as per the National Minimum Wage order. Superannuation guarantee of 12% is paid on your ordinary earnings, including the casual loading, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. Permanent employees also receive super on their base salary. Check your enterprise agreement or award for exact conditions.

Biosecurity Officer Salary in Australia: Hourly to Annual Guide

Based on a 38-hour week, the median biosecurity officer salary of $91,000 per year equates to approximately $46.00 per hour before tax and super.

Understanding the Biosecurity Officer Salary

If you are looking at a biosecurity officer salary in Australia, you probably want to know how an hourly rate translates into an annual figure, what you can expect to take home after tax, and how super fits in. This guide walks through the conversion using a standard 38-hour week, explains the fortnightly pay, and compares the figures with official benchmarks from the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Australian Bureau of Statistics, and the Australian Taxation Office.

What the Data Shows

Web search results point to a median full-time biosecurity officer salary of $91,000 per year, based on industry surveys. That figure is not yet verified against official Jobs and Skills Australia or ABS data, so treat it as an indicative estimate. A more concrete example comes from a New South Wales government job advertisement for a Biosecurity Officer in Young, offering a salary range of $87,199 to $95,482 per year plus super. This aligns closely with the $91,000 median and reflects the public service classification system where your level and years of service matter more than negotiation.

Federal and state agencies operate separate enterprise agreements, and roles at airports or ports may attract shift loadings, overtime, and penalty rates. Remote or regional postings sometimes carry additional allowances. For the purpose of this guide, we focus on the base salary without those extras.

Converting Hourly to Annual: The Formula

The standard formula for converting an hourly rate to an annual salary is:

Hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks

For a full-time role, we assume 38 hours per week, which is the standard ordinary hours under the National Employment Standards. Using the $91,000 median as an example:

$91,000 ÷ 52 weeks ÷ 38 hours = approximately $46.00 per hour.

If you have an hourly rate, you can reverse the calculation. For instance, if you are offered $46.00 per hour:

$46.00 × 38 × 52 = $90,896 per year (close to the median).

You can use the timesheet to run your own numbers. Just enter your base hourly rate and the calculator will show annual, fortnightly, and weekly figures.

Fortnightly Pay and Weekly Breakdown

Most Australian employers pay fortnightly. To get your fortnightly gross pay, multiply your weekly pay by 2. For the median biosecurity officer salary:

Weekly: $91,000 ÷ 52 = $1,750 (rounded)
Fortnightly: $1,750 × 2 = $3,500

If you are paid hourly, your fortnightly pay will vary depending on the exact hours worked in that period. The calculator on the timesheet can show you the fortnightly amount based on your hourly rate and 38-hour weeks.

Tax and Take-Home Pay

For the 2026–27 financial year, the resident tax rates are:

Nil on the first $18,200
15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
45% on income above $190,000

Plus a Medicare levy of 2% (generally).

For a biosecurity officer earning $91,000 per year:

Taxable income: $91,000
Tax on first $18,200: $0
Tax on $18,201–$45,000: $26,800 × 15% = $4,020
Tax on $45,001–$91,000: $46,000 × 30% = $13,800
Total tax: $17,820
Medicare levy: $91,000 × 2% = $1,820
Total deductions: $19,640
Annual take-home pay: $91,000 – $19,640 = $71,360
Fortnightly take-home: $71,360 ÷ 26 = $2,744 (approx.)

Use the take-home pay page for a more detailed estimate that includes HELP repayments or the Medicare levy surcharge if applicable.

Superannuation: Paid on Top

Under the super guarantee, your employer must contribute 12% of your ordinary earnings into a super fund. This is paid on top of your salary, not deducted from it. For a $91,000 salary:

Super contribution: $91,000 × 12% = $10,920 per year
Total employment cost: $91,000 + $10,920 = $101,920

The super guarantee applies up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year, so most biosecurity officers will receive the full 12%. See super and packaging for more on salary sacrifice and contribution caps.

Comparing with Official Benchmarks

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. A casual employee gets $33.05 per hour including the 25% casual loading. A biosecurity officer salary of $91,000 is well above the minimum, reflecting the specialised skills required.

ABS Average Weekly Earnings for full-time adult ordinary time (May 2026) is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year. The biosecurity officer median of $91,000 is below that national average, but it is in line with many public service roles at the APS 5 or 6 level.

What Affects Your Pay

Your actual biosecurity officer salary depends on:

Employer: Federal (e.g., Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) vs state (e.g., Department of Regional NSW)
Classification: Public service grades with set pay points
Location: Remote and regional postings often attract allowances
Shift work: Airport or port roles may include penalty rates
Experience: Skills like regulatory compliance and field inspection can command a premium

When negotiating, lead with what is scarce—specific competencies—rather than just tenure. Bring a real alternative, such as a higher-paying role in quality management, to strengthen your case.

Using the Calculator

To convert your own hourly rate to annual, fortnightly, or weekly figures, visit the timesheet and enter your base hourly rate. The tool assumes a 38-hour week and 52 weeks per year. If you are casual, check the box to add 25% loading—but never enter a rate that already includes casual loading. The calculator will show the breakdown.

For award-specific rates, refer to pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman. The Security Services Industry Award, for example, sets minimum rates for security officers, but biosecurity officers are typically covered by public sector enterprise agreements rather than that award.

Summary

A biosecurity officer salary of around $91,000 per year equates to roughly $46.00 per hour based on a 38-hour week. Fortnightly gross pay is about $3,500, and after tax and Medicare you take home approximately $2,744 per fortnight. Super of 12% is paid on top. Use the hourly conversion page for more examples, and always check your specific enterprise agreement for exact conditions.