How is casual loading applied to an oral health therapist salary?

Casual employees under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate. For example, a Level 1 AQF Level 5 first-year rate of $32.44 becomes $40.55 per hour. The loading is paid instead of entitlements like paid leave. Use [the timesheet](/) and check the casual loading box – never type a rate that already includes the loading.

What superannuation is paid on an oral health therapist salary?

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings, paid on top of your gross pay. For a full-time oral health therapist earning $32.44 per hour, the employer adds about $3.89 per hour to super, up to the $270,830 maximum contribution base. See [super and packaging](/topics/super-and-packaging) for more.

How is tax calculated on an oral health therapist salary?

For 2026–27, resident tax rates apply: nil up to $18,200, 15% from $18,201 to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above that. A 2% Medicare levy generally applies. Use [take-home pay](/topics/take-home) for an estimate, noting that HELP, surcharge, and salary packaging are not included.

Oral Health Therapist Salary: Award Rates, Tax, and Super in 2026–27

Under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020, an oral health therapist at Level 1 with a diploma (AQF Level 5) earns a minimum hourly rate of $32.44, equating to an annual salary of approximately $64,100 for a 38-hour week.

Understanding the Oral Health Therapist Salary

If you are researching an oral health therapist salary in Australia, the starting point is the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020. This award covers oral health therapists employed in private practice, community health, and hospitals. The minimum rates depend on your qualification and years of experience.

Award Rates and Classification

Oral health therapists are classified as Health Professional employees. Under clause 17 of the award, a Level 1 employee with a diploma (AQF Level 5) earns the following minimum hourly rates:

1st year: $32.44 per hour ($1,232.70 per week)
2nd–3rd year: $34.44 per hour
4th–6th year: $37.53 per hour
7th year+: $40.56 per hour

These rates apply to full-time employees working an average of 38 ordinary hours per week. If you hold a bachelor’s degree (AQF Level 7 or higher), you are classified at a higher level with a higher minimum rate – the award does not show those exact figures in the extract, but they are available from the Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay database.

For comparison, the National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour. Award rates are always at least this floor.

Annual Pay Calculation

To estimate your annual gross pay, use the formula:

hourly rate × hours per week × 52

For a first-year oral health therapist at $32.44 per hour working 38 hours:

$32.44 × 38 × 52 = $64,101.44 per year

If you work 40 hours, the first 2 hours each day may be overtime (paid at 150% or 200%), so the simple formula only works for ordinary hours. The hourly conversion page explains how to convert a salary offer back to an hourly rate.

Casual Loading

Casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the minimum hourly rate. For a Level 1 first-year oral health therapist, the casual rate is $32.44 × 1.25 = $40.55 per hour. This loading replaces entitlements such as annual leave and sick leave. Use the timesheet and tick the casual loading checkbox – never type a rate that already includes the loading.

A casual oral health therapist working 38 hours per week would earn:

$40.55 × 38 × 52 = $80,126.80 per year (before tax and super).

Superannuation

Employers must pay super guarantee contributions of 12% on ordinary earnings (from 1 July 2026). This is paid on top of your gross pay. For a full-time oral health therapist earning $64,101, the employer adds about $7,692 to super, up to the $270,830 maximum contribution base.

Super is not deducted from your pay – it is an additional benefit. See super and packaging for details on salary sacrifice and contribution caps.

Tax and Medicare

Your annual gross pay is the starting point for tax. For 2026–27, the resident tax rates are:

$0 – $18,200: nil
$18,201 – $45,000: 15% on the excess over $18,200
$45,001 – $135,000: $4,020 plus 30% on the excess over $45,000
$135,001 – $190,000: $31,020 plus 37% on the excess over $135,000
$190,001+: $51,370 plus 45% on the excess over $190,000

A 2% Medicare levy generally applies. For a $64,101 annual salary, the tax estimate (using the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds as a proxy) is roughly $9,800 plus Medicare of $1,282, leaving about $53,000 after tax. Use take-home pay for a personalised estimate.

Using the Timesheet

The timesheet on this site lets you enter your base hourly rate and see the annual, fortnightly, and weekly figures. A checkbox adds 25% casual loading. Remember that super is paid on top and tax is deducted from your gross pay. The results are estimates – they assume no unpaid overtime, penalty rates, allowances, or salary sacrifice.

For a full picture of your oral health therapist salary, combine the award rates with the tax and super information above. The pay guides section has more on award interpretation and common allowances.