Forensic Psychology Salary: Hourly to Annual Conversion Guide 2026-27
A forensic psychology salary under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award is based on hourly rates; assuming 38 hours per week, annual gross is hourly × 38 × 52.
Understanding Your Forensic Psychology Salary
When researching a forensic psychology salary, the first step is to find the correct award classification. Most forensic psychologists in Australia are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027). The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database provides detailed minimum rates, allowances, and penalty rates for this award. The Fair Work Ombudsman also publishes a pay guide for this award, which includes the minimum pay rates for full-time, part-time, and casual employees.
Converting Hourly to Annual Gross
The standard formula for annual gross pay is: **hourly rate × hours per week × 52. We assume a 38-hour week, which is the standard full-time week under most awards. For example, if your forensic psychology salary is $45.00 per hour, the annual gross is $45 × 38 × 52 = $88,920. This assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, and no penalty rates.
Fortnightly Pay
A fortnightly pay is simply weekly pay × 2. Using the same $45 per hour rate, weekly pay is $1,710, so fortnightly is $3,420. This can help when comparing salary offers.
National Minimum Wage vs Award Rates
From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. However, award rates for forensic psychologists are higher. The Health Professionals and Support Services Award has classification levels that increase with experience and qualifications. The Fair Work Commission’s 2026 Annual Wage Review increased award minimum wages by 4.75% from 1 July 2026. Additionally, gender-based undervaluation adjustments from 1 October 2026 increased rates for health professional employees.
Casual Loading
If you work as a casual forensic psychologist, you are entitled to a 25% loading on top of the base hourly rate. This compensates for not receiving paid leave. For example, if the base rate is $40.00 per hour, the casual rate is $50.00 per hour. The loading is applied to the base rate before any penalty rates. Super is paid on the base rate only, not the loading.
Tax and Medicare
Your annual gross forensic psychology salary is subject to income tax and the Medicare levy. For 2026-27, the resident tax rates are:
- Nil up to $18,200
- 15% from $18,201 to $45,000
- 30% from $45,001 to $135,000
- 37% from $135,001 to $190,000
- 45% above $190,000
The Medicare levy is generally 2% of taxable income. For a single person, the reduction threshold is not confirmed for 2026-27, so we use the 2025-26 thresholds. This means your take-home pay will be less than the gross amount.
Super Guarantee
Super is paid on top of your ordinary earnings at 12% for 2026-27. For a forensic psychology salary of $88,920, super adds $10,670.40. The maximum contribution base is $270,830, so super stops once earnings exceed that amount. Super is not deducted from your pay; it is an additional cost to the employer.
Using Our Tools
To convert your forensic psychology salary, use our the timesheet to enter your hourly rate. Check the pay guides for the latest award rates. For detailed tax calculations, see take-home pay. You can also explore super and packaging to understand salary packaging options. Our reference tables include the National Minimum Wage and award rates. For more on hourly conversion, visit hourly conversion.
Important 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.