Changes to the Health Services Award
Published 2 March 2026 | Updated 15 September 2026
Learn more about changes to classifications and minimum pay rates for some employees covered by the Health Services Award.
On this page:
- Background to the changes
- Changes for health professionals
- Changes for some support services employees
- Pay rate increases for dental assistants, pathology collectors and health professionals
- Prepare for the changes
- Keep up to date
- Related information
Background to the changes
The Fair Work Commission (the Commission) has changed the Health Professionals and Support Services Award (Health Services Award) as part of its Gender-based undervaluation – priority awards review.
The Commission has changed the Health Services Award over multiple decisions, including:
- from 1 April 2026, changes for some support services employees
- from 1 October 2026, changes for health professionals
The Commission also increased pay rates for some classifications in the Health Services Award. Learn more at Pay rate increases.
Changes for health professionals
The Commission has made changes to the classification structure for health professionals in the Health Services Award.
The structure will be changed to include classifications based on:
- qualifications and years of experience for Level 1 employees
- roles and duties for Level 2, 3 and 4 employees.
These changes take effect from 1 October 2026.
Level 1 employees
The classification structure for Level 1 employees will be based on their qualifications and years of experience in the profession.
Schedule B of the Award will include a list of standard minimum qualifications for common health professions based on the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) levels criteria. This is an indicative list and doesn’t cover all health professionals.
Level 1 employees will be classified when they start work with an employer based on the AQF level listed for their profession in Schedule B.
If there’s more than one AQF level listed for the profession, the employee will be classified based on:
- the AQF level of the qualification they have, or
- if the AQF level held by the employee isn’t listed in Schedule B, the AQF level of the qualification listed in the table which is closest to the employee’s qualification and required for entry into their profession.
If the profession of the employee isn’t listed in Schedule B, the employee will be classified on:
- the AQF level of the standard minimum qualification required for entry into their profession, or
- if there is no standard minimum qualification for their profession, the AQF level of the qualification held by the employee.
Otherwise, the classification will be based on the AQF level of the qualification required by the employer if it’s higher than the level identified by the other steps.
Determining pay points based on experience
After the employee’s AQF level has been determined, their pay point within the level will be set based on their years of experience in the profession as a Level 1 employee. This experience doesn’t have to be with the same employer.
Obtaining further qualifications won’t automatically guarantee an employee a higher base pay rate unless it leads to reclassification to a higher level.
Level 2, 3 and 4 employees
Classification as a Level 2 employee will be based on the employee’s roles and duties as a:
- senior clinician
- specialist
- supervisor
- educator.
Within Level 2, the employee will be given a pay point of:
- Level 2.1 if they have less than 5 years’ experience in the role and duties of Level 2
- Level 2.2 if they have more than 5 years’ experience in the role and duties of Level 2.
Classification as a Level 3 employee will be based on the employee’s roles and duties as a:
- advanced clinician
- senior specialist
- section manager.
Classification as a Level 4 employee will be based on the employee's roles and duties as a manager.
Transitional classifications
The Commission has included a table to help transition employees from previous classifications as of 30 September 2026 to the new classifications that apply from 1 October 2026.
Clause J.3 of the Health Services Award will provide examples of previous classifications and the equivalent new classification.
Example: Changing health professional classifications
Victor is a dietitian. He’s been working for his employer for 2 years. Up to 30 September 2026, he’s paid as a Level 1 pay point 5, based on his qualification, duties and experience.
Victor’s employer reviews his classification ahead of the changes on 1 October 2026.
Victor has a masters degree which is AQF Level 9.
Victor’s masters degree and 2 years of experience means his classification will now be Level 1 AQF Level 9 2nd – 3rd year.
Victor’s employer uses our Pay Calculator to ensure Victor’s pay rate is correct based on his new qualification as of the first pay period on or after 1 October 2026.
Changes to classifications for some support services employees
Previously announced changes to classifications for some health support services employees took effect from 1 April 2026. These apply to:
- dental assistants
- pathology collectors.
The changes also included increases to minimum pay rates for some employees.
Dental assistants and pathology collectors have moved within the current support services classification structure.
Information about required qualifications and experience has been included in the Health Services Award to help employees and employers understand how dental assistants and pathology collectors move up a classification.
A new schedule (Schedule J — Classification Translation Arrangements) has been added to the Health Services Award and sets out the new levels under the support services classification structure for existing employees employed as:
You can view schedule J in the Health Services Award.
New classifications for dental assistants
New classifications for dental assistants employed on or before 31 March 2026 will depend on their:
- previous classification level
- qualifications, and
- industry experience.
Check the table below for the new classification level that applies:
| Previous support services classification | New support services classification |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 3 |
| Level 2 An employee who is unqualified with less than 12 months industry experience as a dental assistant. | Level 3 |
| Level 2 An employee who is unqualified with 12 months to up to 4 years’ industry experience as a dental assistant. | Level 5 |
Level 2
| Level 6 |
| Level 4 | Level 6 |
| Level 5 | Level 7 |
New classifications for pathology collectors
New classifications for pathology collectors employed on or before 31 March 2026 will depend on their:
- previous classification level
- qualifications, and
- industry experience.
Check the table below for the new classification level that applies from 31 March 2026:
| Previous support services classification | New support services classification |
|---|---|
| Level 4 An employee who is unqualified with less than 12 months industry experience as a pathology collector. | Level 5 |
Level 4
| Level 6 |
Level 4
| Level 7 |
Level 5
| Level 6 |
Level 5
| Level 7 |
| Level 6 | Level 7 |
Pay rate increases for dental assistants, pathology collectors and health professionals
As part of the decision, there are also pay increases for some classifications in the Health Services Award.
Tip: Use our Pay and Conditions Tool
Our Pay and Conditions Tool has been updated with the new pay rates ahead of the pay increases on 1 October 2026.
The 1 October 2026 pay guide for the award can be accessed below:
Dental assistants and pathology collectors
Pay rate increases have started for dental assistants and pathology collectors covered by the Health Services Award.
The first increase to minimum pay rates applied from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 April 2026.
Employees receiving a minimum pay rate on 31 March 2026 that is higher than the new pay rates will continue to receive their higher rate.
Some employees will receive another increase from 1 January 2027.
Health professionals
Health professionals under the Health Services Award will receive pay rate increases from the first pay period starting on or after 1 October 2026.
Further pay rate increases will occur on:
- 30 June 2027
- 30 June 2028
- 30 June 2029
- 30 June 2030.
Standard rate
There are also changes to the ‘standard rate’ as of 1 October 2026.
The standard rate is a fixed amount based on the minimum weekly rate for a Level 1 – AQF 7 – 1st year employee. This rate is used for the calculation of some allowances.
Prepare for the changes
Our Pay and Conditions Tool has been updated with the new rates.
If your classification has changed, use the new classification when calculating your new pay rates.
To download a copy of the pay guide, visit Pay guides.
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