Health Professionals Award 2020 — free pay & entitlements calculator 2026 | Expert Zoom

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the current pay rates under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020?

  From 1 July 2025, pay rates range from AUD $25.74/hour (Support Level 1) to AUD $67.96/hour (Health Professional Level 4 PP4). Health Professional Level 1 starts at AUD $29.49/hour for diploma holders and AUD $30.64/hour for 3-year degree graduates. Rates were increased by 3.5% following the 2024-25 Annual Wage Review by the Fair Work Commission.

• How much redundancy pay am I entitled to under the Health Professionals Award?

  The Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 applies the NES genuine redundancy scale from Fair Work Act 2009, Schedule 4. After 1 year of service: 4 weeks pay. After 5 years: 10 weeks. After 10+ years: 12 weeks (statutory cap). Small business employers (fewer than 15 employees) are exempt from paying NES redundancy. The award provides no enhancement above the statutory minimum.

• How many days annual leave do health professionals get?

  Full-time employees under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 are entitled to 4 weeks (20 days) of paid annual leave per year under the NES. Shiftworkers who are regularly rostered to work on Sundays and public holidays receive 5 weeks (25 days). Annual leave loading of 17.5% of the base rate is also payable.

• What is the notice period under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020?

  Notice periods follow the NES scale in Fair Work Act 2009 s.117: less than 1 year service = 1 week; 1–3 years = 2 weeks; 3–5 years = 3 weeks; 5+ years = 4 weeks. When an employer dismisses an employee aged over 45 with at least 2 years' service, an additional 1-week supplement applies. The award provides no enhancement above the NES minimum.

• How much superannuation does my employer have to pay?

  Your employer must pay 12% of your ordinary time earnings as the Superannuation Guarantee from 1 July 2025 under the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992. The Health Professionals Award names eight default funds including HESTA, Aware Super and Australian Retirement Trust. You can choose your own complying super fund under Fair Work Act s.149A.

• Does the Health Professionals Award provide casual loading?

  Yes. Casual employees under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 receive a 25% loading on top of their minimum hourly rate for ordinary weekday hours. The minimum casual engagement is 3 hours per shift. Casual employees also have a right to request conversion to permanent employment after 12 months of regular and systematic work.

• What penalty rates apply on weekends and public holidays?

  Under the Health Professionals Award, full-time and part-time employees receive 150% for Saturday or Sunday work. Public holidays attract 250%. For casual employees, Saturday and Sunday work attracts 175% (no additional casual loading on these rates), and public holidays attract 275%. Overtime on weekdays is 150% for the first 2 hours and 200% thereafter.

• Who is covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020?

  The award covers employees in Australia's private health industry — including allied health professionals such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, medical scientists, pharmacists, audiologists, radiographers and social workers, as well as health support workers including medical receptionists, dental assistants, hospital orderlies, pathology collectors and kitchen staff. Nurses, paramedics and medical practitioners are covered by separate awards.