Understanding the Speeth Pathologist Salary: Award Rates, Casual Loading, and Annual Pay
A full-time speeth pathologist at Health Professional Level 1, AQF Level 5, 1st year earns $32.44 per hour, or $64,088 per year based on 38 hours per week.
What is a Speeth Pathologist Salary?
If you're looking up a speeth pathologist salary, you're likely trying to understand how hourly rates translate into annual, fortnightly, or weekly pay. Speech pathologists (often spelled 'speech' but we'll use the keyword as given) are classified as Health Professional employees under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 [MA000027]. This award sets minimum pay rates, overtime, and casual loadings. This article explains how to convert those hourly rates into annual figures, including tax and superannuation.
How the Annual Salary is Calculated
The standard formula for a full-time annual salary is:
Annual gross pay = hourly rate × hours per week × 52
Under the award, a full-time employee works an average of 38 ordinary hours per week. So for a speech pathologist earning $32.44 per hour (Level 1, 1st year), the annual salary is:
$32.44 × 38 × 52 = $64,088
If you prefer fortnightly pay, multiply the weekly amount by 2. Weekly pay for this rate is $32.44 × 38 = $1,232.72, so fortnightly is $2,465.44.
Why 38 Hours?
The award states that full-time ordinary hours are 38 per week, or an average of 38 over a fortnight or four-week period. This is the standard assumption for all full-time award-covered employees. If you work more than 38 ordinary hours, overtime rates apply, but for this calculation we assume exactly 38 hours each week.
Award Rates for Speeth Pathologists
The award provides minimum rates for Health Professional employees based on their qualification level (AQF) and years of experience. For a speech pathologist, the relevant classification is Health Professional employee—Level 1, which requires at least an AQF Level 5 qualification (e.g., a diploma or bachelor’s degree). The rates from the Fair Work Commission's modern award pay database are:
| Years of experience | Minimum hourly rate | Annual salary (38 hrs/wk) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st year | $32.44 | $64,088 |
| 2nd–3rd year | $34.44 | $68,053 |
| 4th–6th year | $37.53 | $74,163 |
| 7th year+ | $40.56 | $80,142 |
These are the minimum rates. Many employers pay above award, but the award sets the legal floor. The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, so even the lowest speech pathologist rate is well above that.
Casual Loading and Superannuation
Casual Loading
If you work as a casual speech pathologist, you receive a 25% loading on the minimum hourly rate instead of paid leave entitlements. For a 1st-year speech pathologist, the casual rate is:
$32.44 × 1.25 = $40.55 per hour
Annualised for 38 hours per week, that would be $40.55 × 38 × 52 = $80,126 (before tax). Note that casuals may work fewer hours, so this is a full-time equivalent.
Superannuation
Employers must pay superannuation guarantee of 12% on top of ordinary earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a full-time speech pathologist earning $64,088, the super contribution is:
$64,088 × 12% = $7,690.56 per year
This is paid in addition to the salary, not deducted from it. The super and packaging page explains more.
Tax and Medicare on Your Speeth Pathologist Salary
Once you have your annual gross figure, you need to estimate tax. 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% (using the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds as 2026–27 were not confirmed).
For a speech pathologist earning $64,088:
- Tax: ($18,200 × 0%) + ($26,800 × 15%) + ($19,088 × 30%) = $0 + $4,020 + $5,726.40 = $9,746.40
- Medicare levy: $64,088 × 2% = $1,281.76
- Total tax and Medicare: $11,028.16
- Net annual pay: $64,088 – $11,028.16 = $53,059.84
Use our take-home pay page for a more detailed estimate. Remember, this does not include HELP repayments, Medicare levy surcharge, or salary packaging.
Comparing to Other Pay Points
Speech pathologists may also be classified at higher levels (Level 2, 3, or 4) if they have more responsibility. For example, a Health Professional Level 2.1 earns $51.19 per hour, which annualises to $101,147. The award also covers Support Services employees (e.g., receptionists in a clinic) at lower rates, starting at $26.97 per hour for Level 1.
If you are comparing a salary offer, always check the classification and years of experience. The job pay topic has more guidance.
Conclusion
A speeth pathologist salary under the Health Professionals Award is clearly defined by hourly rates that increase with experience. By multiplying the hourly rate by 38 hours and 52 weeks, you get the annual gross figure. Add casual loading if applicable, and remember that super is paid on top. Tax and Medicare reduce the net amount, but the award ensures a fair minimum. For your own calculations, use the timesheet to convert your hourly rate, or refer to our reference tables for award rates.
Open the same rate on the home timesheet. Read the reference tables before treating a figure as your pay.