Physiotherapy is one of the busiest corners of Australia’s allied health workforce, and 2026 is shaping up to be another strong year for pay and job security in the profession. According to Healthcare Australia’s (HCA) 2026 Salary Guide, physiotherapists across every state and territory continue to command competitive salaries, with senior clinicians and those in private practice earning well above the graduate starting point. All figures are drawn from HCA’s 2026 Salary Guide, a comprehensive benchmark built from HCA’s own market research and workforce surveys across the country.
How much does a physiotherapist earn in Australia in 2026?
Physiotherapist salaries in Australia vary significantly by experience level, practice setting and location. HCA’s data shows graduate physiotherapists typically starting between $70,000 and $92,000 depending on the state, while senior physiotherapists in private practice and acute hospital settings can earn well over $120,000. All figures below are annual base salaries, exclusive of superannuation, which increased to 12% from 1 July 2025. Because this is a mid-financial-year benchmark, candidates can reasonably expect a further increase of around 3–3.5% on these ranges from July 2026.
| State | Graduate Physio | Acute Senior Physio |
Private Practice Senior Physio |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT | $75,000 | $115,000 | $115,000 |
| NSW | $82,000 | $115,000 | $120,000 |
| NT | $70,000 | $110,000 | $110,000 |
| QLD | $85,000 | $120,000 | $120,000 |
| SA | $75,000 | $110,000 | $105,000 |
| TAS | $76,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 |
| VIC | $80,000 | $110,000 | $110,000 |
| WA | $85,000 | $115,000 | $120,000 |
Source: Healthcare Australia 2026 Salary Guide (HCA market research and workforce surveys). Salaries shown are annual base rates, exclusive of superannuation.
Superannuation increased to 12% from 1 July 2025. Figures are a mid-financial-year benchmark; an increase of roughly 3–3.5% can reasonably be expected from July 2026. Regional variances, Enterprise Bargaining Agreements and awards may affect actual pay.
To view salary bandings in detail, please download our salary guide.
Physiotherapist pay by practice setting
Where a physiotherapist works matters almost as much as years of experience. Acute hospital roles and private practice tend to pay the highest senior-level salaries. In several states, senior private practice physiotherapists out-earn their acute-setting counterparts, particularly in NSW, QLD and WA. Community and residential aged care settings sit in a similar band to acute work in most states, with senior community physiotherapists earning $100,000–$135,000 depending on location, and senior residential aged care physiotherapists tracking closely behind. Regional and rural roles frequently attract higher rates and relocation incentives, reflecting acute shortages outside metro areas.
Why physiotherapists remain in high demand
HCA’s Allied Health lead, Darienne Anandappa, notes that services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech pathology are in short supply nationally, and that “probably more than any other area of healthcare, many allied health candidates have choices, driving up wages and employer demands.” Allied health job numbers grew 66.5% between 2013 and 2022, almost double the 37.1% growth rate across all professions, and HCA’s workforce data shows 50% of allied health occupations nationally are currently in shortage, with a further 47.1% in shortage in at least one state or territory. For physiotherapists, this translates into genuine bargaining power: candidates can be selective about location, setting and conditions, not just base pay.
How to increase your earnings as a physiotherapist
- Expand your scope of practice. Additional training in aged care, mental health or rehabilitation can increase demand for your services and lift your earning potential.
- Work across multiple settings. Combining private practice, community care and hospital work provides income diversity and broader career opportunities.
- Consider rural and regional placements. Physiotherapists are in high demand outside major cities, often with higher salaries, relocation support and government incentive programs.
- Offer specialised or niche services. Skills in paediatrics, disability support or advanced therapy techniques can help you attract clients and secure premium rates.
- Engage with locum and agency work. Temporary contracts and agency placements with a specialist healthcare recruiter can provide flexibility, competitive pay and exposure to different workplaces.
How does this compare to the wider market?
Generic salary sites often quote a single national average for physiotherapists, which can be misleading given how much pay varies by state, setting and seniority. HCA’s benchmark is built specifically from healthcare workforce data and surveys, broken down by state and by setting (acute, community, residential aged care and private practice), giving a more accurate picture for candidates weighing up a move or a new role, and for employers benchmarking their offers against the current market.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the average physiotherapist salary in Australia in 2026?
Based on HCA’s 2026 Salary Guide, physiotherapist salaries range from around $70,000–$92,000 for new graduates up to $100,000–$150,000+ for senior physiotherapists in acute or private practice settings, depending on the state. - Do physiotherapists earn more in private practice or hospitals?
It depends on the state. In NSW, QLD and WA, senior private practice physiotherapists tend to out-earn their acute hospital counterparts, while in other states the two settings pay similarly. - Are physiotherapists in shortage in Australia?
Yes. HCA’s Allied Health team identifies physiotherapy as one of the allied health professions in short supply nationally, giving candidates strong bargaining power on pay and conditions.
Talk to a healthcare recruitment specialist
Healthcare Australia has been placing physiotherapists into permanent, temporary and locum roles across the country for more than 50 years, with dedicated Allied Health recruitment specialists across 28 offices nationwide. If you’re a physiotherapist weighing up your next move, or an employer benchmarking your current offer, HCA’s team can talk you through the latest market data and available roles. This article draws on data from HCA’s 2026 Salary Guide, which also covers nursing, allied health, medical imaging, mental health and healthcare leadership roles.
