The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has made significant changes to the Health Professionals and Support Services Award as part of its Gender-based undervaluation – priority awards review. The changes have been made through multiple FWC decisions, including changes affecting some support services employees from 1 April 2026, and further changes affecting health professionals from today, 1 October 2026. For employers, the changes to the classification structure for health professionals are particularly important.
From 1 October 2026, Level 1 employees will be classified based on their qualifications and years of experience. Schedule B of the Award will contain an indicative list of standard minimum qualifications for common health professions, based on the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and assigns those professions a corresponding AQF qualification level.
An employee’s classification will be determined when they commence employment. Their pay point within Level 1 will generally be determined by their years of relevant professional experience in the profession, including experience gained with previous employers.
Levels 2, 3 and 4 are principally determined by the nature of the employee’s role and duties, including clinical expertise, specialist responsibilities, supervisory functions, educational responsibilities and management duties.
Level 2 covers roles such as senior clinicians, specialists, supervisors and educators. Level 3 includes advanced clinicians, senior specialists and section managers, while Level 4 applies to employees performing manager-level duties.
Employers should be reviewing their classifications, which includes checking employees’ qualifications, experience, duties and current Award classifications to identify whether changes will be required from 1 October 2026.
Need assistance reviewing your obligations under the updated Award? Contact our HR Legal to discuss how these changes may affect your workplace.
Link to current Award: https://awards.fairwork.gov.au/MA000027.html
Link to the FWC’s decision: https://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/decisionssigned/pdf/2026fwcfb231.pdf
Link to the FWC’s determination: https://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/awardsandorders/pdf/pr814029.pdf
