Physio Salary Guide: What Reaches Your Bank Account After Tax

Understanding Your Physio Salary: From Gross to Take-Home

When you see a physio salary in a job ad, the number is usually the gross annual figure – before tax, Medicare, and other deductions. What matters to your budget is the amount that lands in your bank account each pay cycle. This guide uses the latest public data to help you compare offers and understand your take-home pay.

The Median Physio Salary Benchmark

According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median weekly earnings for full-time physiotherapists (non-managerial, adult rate) were $1,888 in May 2025. That annualises to $98,176 (52 weeks). This is the most recent official benchmark for the occupation.

Keep in mind this is a median – half earn more, half earn less. Your actual physio salary will depend on your experience, location, and employer. The figure is before tax and does not include super.

What You Take Home After Tax and Medicare

Using 2026–27 tax rates, the annualised $98,176 translates to an estimated take-home of $76,560 per year, or about $1,472 per week. This is modelled by Oz Finance Hub and assumes:

• You are an Australian resident claiming the tax-free threshold
• No HELP/HECS debt
• You have appropriate private hospital cover (or are below the surcharge threshold)
• The standard $1,000 work expense deduction is applied

The tax breakdown on that income:

• Gross salary: $98,176
• Income tax: ~$19,673
• Medicare levy (2%): ~$1,944 (using the latest single-person thresholds of $28,011 and $35,013)
• Take-home: $76,560

Super is paid on top at 12% (from 1 July 2026), adding about $11,781, but that goes to your super fund, not your bank account.

Award Rates for Physiotherapists

If you are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award, your minimum pay is set by Fair Work. The Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guide (effective from 1 October 2026) outlines classification rates. These are minimums – many physiotherapists earn above award.

How to Compare a Job Offer Using Take-Home Pay

When you receive a job offer, follow these steps:

1. Check the gross annual salary – Is it above the median of $98,176? If not, consider negotiating.
2. Confirm if super is included – Most ads say "plus super". If the salary is $98,176, super of 12% ($11,781) is extra. If the ad says "including super", your base salary is lower.
3. Estimate your take-home – Use the Take-home pay calculator on this site to see what you'll actually receive after tax and Medicare.
4. Factor in other benefits – Salary packaging, bonuses, or allowances can change your effective pay. See our Salary packaging guide.

The National Minimum Wage Context

For reference, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week (38 hours). A physio salary at the median is well above that, reflecting the skilled nature of the role.

Key Takeaways

• The median physio salary is $1,888 per week ($98,176 annualised).
• After tax and Medicare, you can expect around $76,560 take-home.
• Super is additional at 12%.
• Always compare offers using take-home pay, not just the gross figure.

For more benchmarks, visit our Benchmarks page. To understand how tax and Medicare work, see Tax and Medicare.