What is the hourly rate for a paramedic in Melbourne under the Award?

The minimum hourly rate for a full-time Ambulance Officer (year 1) under the Ambulance and Patient Transport Industry Award 2020 is $34.46 as of the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. This rate applies to ordinary hours. Casual employees receive an additional loading of 25% on weekdays, 75% on Saturdays and Sundays, and 100% on public holidays, instead of penalty rates.

How is superannuation calculated for a paramedic salary in Melbourne?

Superannuation is paid on top of the ordinary hourly rate at 12% under the Superannuation Guarantee. For a full-time paramedic earning $34.46 per hour, the super contribution is about $4.14 per hour, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. The employer pays this into a nominated fund.

What tax applies to a paramedic salary in Melbourne for 2026–27?

The 2026–27 resident tax rates apply: nil on the first $18,200, 15% from $18,201 to $45,000, 30% from $45,001 to $135,000, 37% from $135,001 to $190,000, and 45% above $190,000. A 2% Medicare levy generally applies. For a full-time paramedic earning $68,120 annually ($34.46 × 38 × 52), the tax would be approximately $11,267 plus $1,362 Medicare levy, leaving about $55,491 after tax.

Paramedic Salary Melbourne: Award Rates, Tax, and Super for 2026–27

A full-time paramedic (Ambulance Officer) in Melbourne earns $34.46 per hour under the Award, or $1,309.50 per week for 38 ordinary hours, with super and penalty rates on top.

Understanding the Paramedic Salary Melbourne

If you are looking up the paramedic salary Melbourne, the starting point is the minimum rates set by the Ambulance and Patient Transport Industry Award 2020 (MA000098). This Award covers paramedics, ambulance officers, patient transport officers, and communications staff across Australia, including Victoria. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the official pay guide, and the rates below are from the Award as of the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026.

Award Rates for a Paramedic (Ambulance Officer)

For a full-time Ambulance Officer in the first year of service, the minimum weekly rate is $1,309.50, which equates to an hourly rate of $34.46 for 38 ordinary hours per week. This is the base rate before any penalties, allowances, or superannuation. The Award also provides for higher rates as experience increases: year 2 is $34.72 per hour, and year 3 is $34.92 per hour.

Casual Loading and Penalty Rates

Casual paramedics receive a loading instead of paid leave. Under clause 11.2 of the Award, casual loading is 25% for weekday ordinary hours, 75% for Saturday and Sunday, and 100% for public holidays. These loadings replace weekend and public holiday penalty rates that apply to full-time and part-time employees. For example, a casual paramedic working a Saturday shift would be paid $34.46 × 175% = $60.31 per hour (including the 75% loading).

Annual Gross Pay Calculation

To estimate annual gross pay for a full-time paramedic in Melbourne, use the formula: hourly rate × hours per week × 52. Assuming 38 ordinary hours per week:

$34.46 × 38 × 52 = $68,120 per year.

This is the base salary without overtime, penalty rates, or allowances. The Award also provides for overtime at 150% to 250%, shift allowances, on-call allowances, and allowances for intensive care paramedic skills or continuing education programs. Those extras can significantly increase actual earnings.

Fortnightly and Weekly Pay

A full-time paramedic’s weekly pay is $1,309.50. Fortnightly, that is $2,619.00 before tax and super. Many employers pay fortnightly, so it helps to know the fortnightly figure for budgeting.

Superannuation Paid on Top

Under the Superannuation Guarantee, employers must contribute 12% of ordinary earnings into a super fund, on top of the base salary. For the $68,120 annual salary, that is an extra $8,174.40 per year, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. Super is not deducted from your pay; it is an additional cost to the employer. The Australian Taxation Office provides guidance on super for paramedics.

Tax and Medicare Levy for 2026–27

Using the 2026–27 resident tax rates:

$0 – $18,200: nil
$18,201 – $45,000: 15%
$45,001 – $135,000: 30%
$135,001 – $190,000: 37%
Over $190,000: 45%

For a gross salary of $68,120:

Tax on first $18,200: $0
Tax on $18,201 to $45,000 ($26,800): $4,020
Tax on $45,001 to $68,120 ($23,120): $6,936
Total tax: $10,956

Plus Medicare levy of 2% on all taxable income: $1,362.40.

Estimated after-tax income: $55,801.60 per year (excluding HELP, surcharge, or salary packaging).

Comparison with National Minimum Wage and Average Earnings

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. A paramedic’s Award rate of $34.46 is about 30% above the minimum. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings for full-time adult ordinary time (May 2026) is $2,083.70 per week, which is higher than the base paramedic rate, but many paramedics earn more with penalties and allowances.

Using the Timesheet Calculator

Our the timesheet tool lets you enter your base hourly rate and optionally add 25% casual loading. It then calculates annual gross, tax, Medicare, and super. For a paramedic, you would enter $34.46 and check the casual loading box if you are a casual employee. The tool uses the same assumptions: 38 hours per week, 52 weeks, and the 2026–27 tax rates.

Allowances and Deductions

The Award includes several allowances that increase pay: communications centre allowance, flying allowance, intensive care paramedic skills allowance, and meal allowances. The ATO notes that paramedics can claim work-related deductions for uniforms, protective clothing, and self-education expenses.

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.