Audiologist salary: what you actually take home after tax and Medicare

What an audiologist salary really means for your bank account

When you search for an audiologist salary in Australia, you’ll see figures that can look promising — but the number in a job ad is rarely the amount that lands in your account. Between income tax, the Medicare levy, and the question of whether super is included, it’s easy to overestimate your take-home pay. This guide explains the key differences and shows you how to work out your after-tax income.

Gross salary, package, and take-home: the three numbers you need to know

Employers often advertise a gross salary — the annual figure before any deductions. Some ads quote a total package that includes the 12% super guarantee. Your take-home pay is what remains after the Australian Taxation Office takes income tax and the Medicare levy. Super is not deducted from your pay; it’s paid on top by your employer (unless the ad says “including super”).

For example, if a job lists $80,000 plus super, your gross salary is $80,000. Your employer also contributes $9,600 to your super fund, but that money is locked away until retirement. Your take-home is based on $80,000.

What the data says about audiologist pay

According to Jobs and Skills Australia, median weekly earnings for audiologists are not available — the sample size is too small to publish a reliable figure . The occupation employs about 2,600 people, with 77% female and a median age of 37. Most work in Health Care and Social Assistance.

Because there is no single “typical” audiologist salary, the best starting point is the minimum award rate under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award . For a Health Professional Level 1 with an AQF Level 5 qualification (e.g., a bachelor’s degree), the minimum weekly rate is:

• 1st year: $1,232.70 per week ($64,100.40 annualised)
• 2nd–3rd year: $1,308.80 per week ($68,057.60)
• 4th–6th year: $1,426.00 per week ($74,152.00)
• 7th year+: $1,541.30 per week ($80,147.60)

These are full-time rates (38 ordinary hours per week). Many audiologists earn above the award, but without published medians we cannot state a typical figure.

How tax and Medicare reduce your audiologist salary

Once you have your gross annual salary, you can estimate your take-home using the 2026–27 tax rates. For a resident taxpayer:

• First $18,200: tax-free
• $18,201 to $45,000: 15 cents per dollar over $18,200
• $45,001 to $135,000: $4,020 plus 30 cents per dollar over $45,000
• $135,001 to $190,000: $31,020 plus 37 cents per dollar over $135,000
• Over $190,000: $51,370 plus 45 cents per dollar over $190,000

You may also be eligible for the Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) — up to $700 if your taxable income is $37,500 or less, then phasing out. LITO can only reduce your tax to zero.

On top of income tax, the Medicare levy applies at 2% of taxable income, unless you earn below the single thresholds: $28,011 (no levy) and $35,013 (full levy). Between those amounts you pay 10 cents per dollar over $28,011. These are the latest published single-person Medicare thresholds.

Example: take-home on an award-rate audiologist salary

Let’s say you are a first-year audiologist earning the award minimum of $64,100 per year (rounded). Your tax calculation:

• Tax on $64,100: $4,020 + 0.30 × ($64,100 – $45,000) = $4,020 + $5,730 = $9,750
• LITO: at $64,100 you are above $66,667, so no LITO
• Medicare levy: full 2% = $1,282
• Total deductions: $11,032
• Take-home pay: $53,068 per year ($2,041 per fortnight)

If your salary is $80,000 (7th year award rate):

• Tax: $4,020 + 0.30 × ($80,000 – $45,000) = $4,020 + $10,500 = $14,520
• Medicare: $1,600
• Total: $16,120
• Take-home: $63,880 per year ($2,457 per fortnight)

Remember, these are estimates. Your actual take-home may differ due to HELP/HECS repayments, salary packaging, or the Medicare levy surcharge if you don’t have private hospital cover.

Common mix-ups to avoid

• “Plus super” vs “including super”: A $70,000 salary plus super means your gross is $70,000 and super is extra. A $70,000 package including super means your gross is about $62,500 (since super is 12% of the gross). Always clarify.
• Award minimum vs market rate: The award sets a floor, not a ceiling. Many audiologists negotiate higher pay, especially with experience.
• Take-home vs net pay after salary sacrifice: If you salary sacrifice (e.g., for a car or novated lease), your taxable income drops, but your take-home also drops because the sacrifice comes out before tax. Use our Salary packaging guide for details.

How to get a personalised estimate

Your exact take-home depends on your income, deductions, and family situation. Use our Clearance tool to enter your gross salary and see your estimated after-tax pay. You can also check the Take-home pay page for more examples.

For the latest award rates, visit Fair Work Ombudsman’s pay guides. The national minimum wage (from 1 July 2026) is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week — a useful benchmark for comparing any role.

The bottom line

An audiologist salary can vary widely, and the figure you see advertised is not what you’ll bank. By understanding the difference between gross, package, and take-home, and by using the award rates and tax thresholds above, you can make an informed decision about any job offer. Always ask: “Is that plus super, and what’s the base salary?”