Your medical receptionist salary: what actually reaches your bank account

Understanding your medical receptionist salary

If you work as a medical receptionist in Australia, your pay is likely covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027). Fair Work publishes minimum rates for support services employees, which includes medical receptionists. The award sets out weekly and hourly rates for different classification levels, from Level 1 to Level 9. For example, a Level 1 employee earns a minimum of $1,024.70 per week or $26.97 per hour, while a Level 9 pay point 3 employee earns $1,497.80 per week or $39.42 per hour .

Your actual medical receptionist salary may be higher than the minimum if you have experience, work in a private practice, or receive penalty rates for evenings, weekends, or public holidays. The award also provides for shiftwork loadings: Monday to Friday shiftwork attracts an hourly rate of $31.02 at Level 1, Saturday and Sunday $40.46, and public holidays $67.43.

What is your take-home pay?

Your take-home pay is the amount that lands in your bank account after your employer deducts income tax and the Medicare levy. It does not include super, which is paid on top. To estimate your take-home pay, follow these steps:

1. Determine your gross pay. If you are full-time, you work 38 ordinary hours per week. Multiply your hourly rate by 38 to get your weekly gross. For a Level 1 medical receptionist, that is $26.97 × 38 = $1,024.86 (the award rounds to $1,024.70). If you are part-time, use your agreed hours.

2. Calculate your annual salary. Multiply your weekly gross by 52 weeks. For Level 1: $1,024.70 × 52 = $53,284.40.

3. Apply income tax. For 2026–27, the tax rates are:

• $0 – $18,200: nil
• $18,201 – $45,000: 15c for each $1 over $18,200
• $45,001 – $135,000: $4,020 plus 30c for each $1 over $45,000
• and so on. Also apply the Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) if eligible.

4. Apply the Medicare levy. The full levy is 2% of taxable income. However, if your taxable income is between $28,011 and $35,013, the levy is reduced by 10c per $1 over the lower threshold. For incomes below $28,011, the levy is nil. For incomes above $35,013, the full 2% applies. The Australian Taxation Office publishes these thresholds.

5. Subtract deductions. The result is your annual tax and Medicare liability. Divide by 26 to get your fortnightly deduction, or by 52 for weekly. Subtract from your gross pay to find your take-home amount.

For a Level 1 medical receptionist earning $53,284.40, the tax would be approximately $4,020 + 30c × ($53,284 – $45,000) = $4,020 + $2,485.20 = $6,505.20, plus Medicare levy of 2% × $53,284 = $1,065.68, total $7,570.88. Take-home would be around $45,713.52 per year, or $879.10 per week. This is an estimate; your actual figures depend on your circumstances.

Why your medical receptionist salary might be different

Not all medical receptionists are classified the same. The award has multiple levels based on duties and qualifications. For example, a Level 4 support services employee earns $29.45 per hour, while a Level 8 pay point 3 earns $37.10 per hour. If you have a health-related qualification, you may be classified as a Health Professional employee under the award, with higher rates starting at $32.44 per hour for AQF Level 5 first year.

Jobs and Skills Australia reports that medical receptionists (ANZSCO 542114) are predominantly female (96%) and work part-time (69% part-time share). The median weekly earnings are not available from that source, but the award provides the minimum floor. Many employers pay above the award, especially in metropolitan areas or specialised clinics.

How to get a precise estimate

Use the Take-home pay calculator on this site to enter your gross pay and see your estimated net amount after tax and Medicare. You can also refer to the Tax and Medicare guide for detailed tables and examples. Remember that your employer must provide a payslip showing your gross pay, deductions, and super contributions.

Key points to remember

• Your medical receptionist salary is subject to the Health Professionals and Support Services Award unless you are covered by an enterprise agreement or contract that provides better conditions.
• Super is paid on top at 12% from 1 July 2026.
• The Medicare levy is 2% for most full-time workers, but the shading thresholds ($28,011 and $35,013) can reduce it for lower incomes.
• Tax rates and offsets change each year; always check the latest from the Australian Taxation Office.
• Your take-home pay is what you actually receive after tax and Medicare – not including salary packaging, HELP/HECS repayments, or the Medicare levy surcharge.

For more information on award rates, visit the Fair Work Ombudsman website. For occupation data, see Jobs and Skills Australia.