Allied Health Careers in Australia
Job Roles, Degrees, Salaries & Visa Pathways
What is Allied Health?
Allied Health professionals work in specialised therapies and diagnostics to support recovery, mobility, communication, mental health, and overall wellbeing. Allied health represents Australia's second-largest healthcare workforce and is critical to the functioning of hospitals, aged care facilities, disability services (NDIS), and private clinics nationwide.
Benefits of allied health careers:
Most In-Demand Allied Health Careers (2025)
These allied health professions are experiencing the highest demand and offer excellent career prospects across Australia.
| Job Title | Qualification | Salary (AUD) | Work Settings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physiotherapist | Bachelor/Masters + AHPRA | $85K–$130K+ | Hospitals, rehab, NDIS |
| Occupational Therapist (OT) | Bachelor/Masters + AHPRA | $85K–$125K | Disability, aged care |
| Speech Pathologist | Masters + AHPRA | $85K–$125K | Schools, NDIS, clinics |
| Psychologist | Masters + AHPRA | $95K–$160K | Mental health clinics |
| Radiographer | Degree + AHPRA | $85K–$130K+ | Medical imaging |
| Sonographer | Postgraduate + AHPRA | $120K–$200K+ | Hospitals & private |
| Podiatrist | BPod + AHPRA | $90K–$130K | Community & private |
| Dietitian / Nutritionist | Degree + APD | $80K–$120K | Hospitals, aged care |
| Exercise Physiologist | Degree + ESSA | $85K–$120K | Allied health clinics |
* Salaries are higher with remote allowances, overtime, and experience. Sonographers and Speech Pathologists are in critically short supply.
Where Allied Health Workers Are Employed
Allied health professionals work across diverse settings throughout Australia:
Jobs exist everywhere across Australia. National shortages mean rapid hiring.
Biggest Growth Areas in 2025
Demand is strongest in these allied health sectors:
Rural workers receive bonuses and accelerated career progression.
How to Become an Allied Health Professional
- Complete Bachelor or Masters degree in your chosen specialty
- Undertake clinical placements as part of your degree
- Obtain AHPRA registration (mandatory for regulated professions)
- Begin working as a graduate practitioner
- Allied Health Assistant (Certificate III/IV qualification)
- Rehabilitation support roles
- Assist clinicians while gaining experience
- Work while studying toward full practitioner qualification
Pathway example: Allied Health Assistant → University Degree → Allied Health Practitioner
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Problem-solving and critical thinking
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Empathy and patient-centred focus
- Attention to detail and clinical reasoning
Salaries & Allowances (2025)
Allied health salaries progress with experience and specialisation:
| Graduate Allied Health | $75,000 – $90,000 |
| Experienced Practitioner | $90,000 – $130,000+ |
| Senior Clinician | $115,000 – $150,000+ |
| Specialists (Sonographers, etc.) | $140,000 – $200,000+ |
Additional benefits include:
- Salary packaging (tax benefits)
- Professional development funding
- Overtime loadings and penalty rates
- Relocation incentives for regional positions
Allied health offers high lifetime earning potential with excellent work-life balance.
International Applicants Welcome
Australia has urgent skills shortages across allied health professions. International workers are actively recruited with visa support.
Supported visa types:
- 482 Temporary Skilled Visa (employer sponsorship)
- 186 Permanent Residency (employer nomination)
- 491 Skilled Regional Visa (regional areas)
- Graduate visas for international students
Most in-demand for sponsorship:
- Speech Pathologists
- Psychologists
- Sonographers
- Physiotherapists
- Occupational Therapists
Relocation assistance and sign-on incentives are often available for international candidates.
Registration & Requirements
Regulated professions require:
- AHPRA registration (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency)
- National Police Check and Working With Children Check
- Immunisation evidence (COVID-19, Hepatitis B, etc.)
- Clinical supervision for early career roles
Allied Health Assistants:
- No AHPRA registration required
- Faster job entry pathway
- Certificate III/IV qualification recommended
Career Progression Pathways
Opportunities include:
- Clinical leadership and team management
- Research roles and academic positions
- Private practice ownership
- University teaching and education
- Specialist consulting roles
Allied health offers flexibility and upward mobility throughout your career.
How to Apply for Allied Health Jobs
Most roles are advertised on:
- State Health Career Portals (NSW Health, QLD Health, etc.)
- Private hospital networks (Ramsay, Healthscope)
- NDIS and disability service providers
- Seek and Indeed job boards
- Rural workforce agencies
Successful applications require:
- Resume highlighting clinical placement experience
- Cover letter addressing selection criteria
- AHPRA documentation (if applicable)
- Professional referees from placements or employers
Interview tip: Use the STAR method (Situation → Task → Action → Result) to structure your responses with specific clinical examples.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Allied Health represents one of Australia's most respected and well-compensated healthcare career paths, offering strong salaries, personal fulfilment, and incredible job security across hospitals, disability services, aged care, and private practice settings.
Whether you're a university student choosing your degree, an international professional seeking opportunities in Australia, or someone looking to transition into healthcare through an Allied Health Assistant role, the sector provides diverse pathways to meaningful and rewarding careers.
With critical shortages across most allied health professions, particularly in NDIS, mental health, and regional areas, now is an excellent time to pursue an allied health career in Australia. The combination of competitive salaries, professional development opportunities, and the chance to genuinely improve lives makes allied health an outstanding career choice.
Take the first step toward your allied health career today.