What is the paramedic salary NSW in 2026–27? Take-home pay after tax
A qualified paramedic in NSW earns $89,813 to $103,290 a year, with take-home pay of $2,714 to $3,066 per fortnight after income tax and the Medicare levy.
Understanding the paramedic salary NSW in 2026–27
If you are considering a career as a paramedic in New South Wales, or you are already working in the field, knowing what lands in your bank account after tax is essential. This guide covers the paramedic salary NSW for 2026–27, based on the latest NSW Ambulance pay rates. We break down each classification, show you the take-home pay per fortnight, and compare the figures to national benchmarks like the minimum wage and average pay.
All figures are for base weekly wages only. Shift penalties, overtime, allowances, and employer superannuation are paid on top. The take-home amounts shown are after income tax and the Medicare levy for a full year in 2026–27, using the latest published single-person Medicare thresholds of $28,011 and $35,013. Full-time salaries pay the full 2% Medicare levy.
Qualified paramedic (Clinical Level 1, Band 1)
A qualified registered paramedic starts at Increment 1 and moves up one increment each year. The annual salary ranges from $89,813 to $103,290. Your take-home per fortnight is between $2,714 and $3,066. This is the core paramedic salary NSW figure most job seekers look for.
| Increment | Weekly | Annual | Take-home per fortnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,722.45 | $89,813 | $2,714 |
| 2 | $1,774.16 | $92,510 | $2,784 |
| 3 | $1,825.85 | $95,205 | $2,855 |
| 4 | $1,877.53 | $97,900 | $2,925 |
| 5 | $1,929.22 | $100,595 | $2,996 |
| 6 | $1,980.90 | $103,290 | $3,066 |
Paramedic Specialist (Clinical Level 2, Band 1)
Intensive Care Paramedics, Extended Care Paramedics, and Triage Clinicians fall into this category. Annual salary: $110,517 to $117,247. Take-home per fortnight: $3,255 to $3,431.
Aeromedical (Clinical Level 3)
Critical Care Paramedics on helicopter and aeromedical crews earn $123,963 to $127,174 per year. Aeromedical Control Centre Officers earn $134,580. Take-home per fortnight ranges from $3,607 to $3,884.
Training and education (Clinical Level 4)
Clinical Training Officers earn $132,499 per year ($3,830 per fortnight). Paramedic Educators earn $158,748 to $169,516 ($4,453 to $4,705 per fortnight).
Managers (Management Levels 1 to 3)
Team Leaders (Level 1) earn $121,192 per year ($3,534 per fortnight). Station Managers (Level 2) earn $125,818 ($3,655). District Managers (Level 3) earn $130,430 ($3,776).
How the paramedic salary NSW compares to benchmarks
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour and $1,004.90 per week. A first-year qualified paramedic earns $1,722.45 per week – about 71% above the minimum. Even a trainee paramedic at $1,424.05 per week is well above that floor.
Full-time adult ordinary time earnings (ABS, May 2026) average $2,083.70 per week or $108,352 per year. A paramedic at the top of the qualified scale ($103,290) is slightly below that average, but an intensive care paramedic at $117,247 exceeds it. Aeromedical and educator roles are well above the average.
Tax and Medicare considerations
Your take-home pay is calculated after income tax using the 2026–27 resident rates and the Medicare levy. The low-income tax offset (LITO) may reduce tax for lower incomes, but most paramedics earn above the LITO phase-out range. The Medicare levy is a flat 2% for full-time workers, as your income exceeds the upper threshold of $35,013. For more detail on how tax and Medicare work, see our Tax and Medicare guide.
Superannuation
Employer superannuation is 12% from 1 July 2026, on top of the base salary. This is not deducted from your take-home pay. If a job advertisement says “plus super”, the salary figures quoted are before super. For more, see Super.
Using the take-home pay calculator
You can use our Take-home pay tool to enter your exact salary and get a personalised estimate. Remember that this estimate excludes HELP/HECS repayments, the Medicare levy surcharge, salary sacrifice, and payroll tax-table rounding. It is not an assessment from the Australian Taxation Office.
Summary
The paramedic salary NSW offers competitive pay that starts well above the national minimum and reaches or exceeds the full-time average for experienced specialists. Whether you are a trainee or a district manager, knowing your after-tax income helps you plan your budget. Check your specific classification and increment to see your exact take-home pay.
Questions
How much does a paramedic in NSW take home after tax?
Take-home pay depends on your classification and tax situation. For a qualified paramedic (Increment 1 to 6), fortnightly take-home ranges from $2,714 to $3,066 after income tax and the 2% Medicare levy. Intensive care paramedics take home $3,255 to $3,431 per fortnight. These figures assume no HELP/HECS debt, salary sacrifice, or Medicare levy surcharge.
What is the difference between the award rate and the NSW Ambulance rate?
The Fair Work Ambulance and Patient Transport Industry Award sets minimum rates, but NSW Ambulance pays above award under its own enterprise agreement. For example, the award lists an ambulance officer year 1 at $1,309.50 per week, while a NSW qualified paramedic starts at $1,722.45 per week. Always check your specific employer’s agreement.
How does the paramedic salary NSW compare to the national minimum wage?
The national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week (from 1 July 2026). A first-year qualified paramedic in NSW earns $1,722.45 per week, which is about 71% above the minimum. Even a trainee paramedic at $1,424.05 per week is well above the minimum. The full-time adult ordinary time earnings average is $2,083.70 per week, so a paramedic at the top of the scale ($1,980.90) is close to that average.