Exercise Physiologist vs Physiotherapist Salary: Award Rates and Annual Pay Guide
Under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award, a Level 1 exercise physiologist or physiotherapist (AQF 7, 1st year) earns $35.19 per hour, or $69,514 annualised for a 38-hour week, plus 12% super on top.
Exercise Physiologist vs Physiotherapist Salary: Understanding Award Pay
When comparing the exercise physiologist vs physiotherapist salary, it is important to look at the award that covers both professions. Under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027), exercise physiologists and physiotherapists are classified as Health Professional employees. The minimum pay rates depend on the employee's AQF level and years of experience, not on the specific profession. This guide explains how to convert hourly rates to annual pay, the role of casual loading, and how superannuation is paid on top.
Hourly to Annual Conversion: The 38-Hour Week
Most full-time employees under this award work 38 ordinary hours per week. To estimate your annual gross pay, use the formula:
Annual gross ≈ hourly rate × hours per week × 52
For example, a Level 1 Health Professional with an AQF Level 7 qualification (bachelor degree) in their first year earns $35.19 per hour. Their annualised salary is:
$35.19 × 38 × 52 = $69,514
This assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. If you are paid fortnightly, simply multiply the weekly amount by 2. For a full-time employee, the weekly rate from the award is $1,337.10, so fortnightly pay is $2,674.20 before tax.
National Minimum Wage vs Award Rates
The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. However, award-covered employees must be paid at least the award rate for their classification. The Health Professionals and Support Services Award provides higher minimums. For example, a Level 1 (AQF 7) first-year rate of $35.19 is well above the national minimum. Always check the award or use the hourly conversion tool to compare.
Casual Loading and Superannuation
Casual employees under this award receive a 25% loading on the minimum hourly rate. For the Level 1 (AQF 7) first-year employee, the casual rate is:
$35.19 × 1.25 = $43.99 per hour
This loading is paid instead of entitlements such as annual leave and sick leave. When calculating annual pay for a casual, use the loaded rate in the formula above. Superannuation of 12% is paid on top of the ordinary earnings, including the casual loading. The super guarantee applies up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. For more details, see super and packaging.
Tax and Take-Home Pay
Once you have your annual gross, you can estimate tax using the 2026–27 resident tax rates:
- 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 the Medicare levy of 2% (with possible reductions for low-income earners). For a gross salary of $69,514, the tax would be approximately $12,088 plus Medicare $1,390, giving a take-home of about $56,036. Use the take-home pay calculator for a precise estimate.
Comparing Exercise Physiologist and Physiotherapist Pay
Both professions typically require a bachelor degree (AQF Level 7) and registration or accreditation. Under the award, they share the same pay scales. The table below shows minimum hourly rates for Health Professional Level 1 (AQF 7):
| Years of experience | Hourly rate |
|---|---|
| 1st year | $35.19 |
| 2nd–3rd year | $38.02 |
| 4th–6th year | $41.71 |
| 7th year+ | $45.30 |
Higher classifications (Level 2, 3, 4) apply to more senior roles, with rates up to $65.77 per hour for Level 4. The award also covers Support Services employees, but health professionals are paid under the Health Professional schedule.
Fortnightly Pay and Annualised Wages
Many employers pay fortnightly. For a full-time Level 1 (AQF 7) first-year employee, the fortnightly gross is:
$1,337.10 × 2 = $2,674.20
If you are on an annualised wage arrangement, your employer must ensure the total paid over the year is at least what you would have earned under the award for the work performed. The base rate for annualised wages is the relevant award rate excluding penalties and allowances.
Superannuation Paid on Top
Superannuation is an additional 12% of your ordinary earnings, paid by your employer into your super fund. It is not deducted from your salary. For the $69,514 annual salary example, the super contribution would be $8,342 per year, up to the $270,830 contribution base. This is separate from your take-home pay. Learn more about super and packaging.
Using the Timesheet Calculator
Our timesheet tool lets you enter your base hourly rate and optionally add 25% casual loading. It then calculates your annual gross, tax, Medicare, and super. Never enter a rate that already includes casual loading – use the checkbox to add it. The tool assumes a 38-hour week and the 2026–27 tax rates.
Disclaimer
Annual pay here is hourly rate × hours per week × 52. It assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. Super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings only, paid on top, and stops at the $270,830 maximum contribution base. Tax is the 2026–27 resident scale with the full tax-free threshold. Medicare uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds because the 2026–27 reduction thresholds were not confirmed here. HELP, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted. This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.