Recommended pay rates for dance movement therapists
Level of expertise
A professional recognised by the DTAA as a dance movement therapist is expected to hold, as a minimum, a Bachelor or post-graduate degree, including a qualification or training in dance movement therapy which enables them to achieve recognition at Provisional Professional or Professional Membership level with the DTAA. Some dance movement therapists have a higher level of recognition again in Clinical Membership of PACFA.
Rates of pay
The DTAA recognises that payment rates vary considerably across contexts in which DM therapists are employed, including education, health, social services, and non-profit organisations. As specialist health professionals trained at postgraduate level, DM therapists should negotiate payment on a scale that is appropriate for their level of training and expertise. The suggested fees outlined below are for guidance only. Most dance movement therapists operate a sliding scale for payment. Fees charged within these ranges should take into consideration factors including the training, professional experience and DTAA level of membership of the therapist, the location, including the amount of travel required, the number of sessions in a block, and whether a venue is rented for therapy sessions.
- Contractor sessional and institutional rates
Individual session: $60 – $140 per hour
Group dance movement therapy session: $100-$150 per hour, or $140 – $220 per 1.5 hours face-to-face contact, including up to an hour planning, setting up, clearing up, assessing and writing reports or notes.
Administration: $60 per hour for note writing, meetings, assessment, etc.
Half Day Rate $250- $370 Full Day Rate $500-650
Sessional and institutional rates are higher than casual employee pay rates, as contractors are generally required to cover the many costs associated with their own employment such as superannuation, workcover, professional development and supervision, as well as the costs of running a business including travel, insurance, equipment and promotion.
Supervision of dance movement therapists: $60 – $140 per hour.
- Employee rates
The DTAA recognises these two awards which are likely to cover many DM therapists in employee roles, and the minimum level of employment that recognises their level of qualification.
SACS Award: Social and community services employee level 4 weekly rate
| Level 4 – pay point 1 | $28.28 hourly rate | 940.90 | $48, 926.80 |
| Level 4 – pay point 2 | $29.01 | 965.40 | $50,200.80 |
| Level 4 – pay point 3 | $29.78 | 990.20 | $51,490.4 |
| Level 4 – pay point 4 | $30.44 | 1012.30 | $52,639.60 |
| Level 5 – pay point 1 | $31.77 | ||
| Level 5 – pay point 2 | $32.47 | ||
| Level 5 – pay point 3 | $33.20 | ||
| Level 6 – pay point 1 | $34.37 | ||
| Level 6 – pay point 2 | $35.14 | ||
| Level 6 – pay point 3 | $35.87 | ||
| Level 7 – pay point 1 | $36.91 | ||
| Level 7 – pay point 2 | $37.69 | ||
| Level 7 – pay point 3 | $38.45 | ||
| Level 8 – pay point 1 | $39.66 | ||
| Level 8 – pay point 2 | $40.46 | ||
| Level 8 – pay point 3 | $41.24 |
Level 4: Prerequisites
- relevant four year degree with one years relevant experience;
- three year degree with two years of relevant experience;
- associate diploma with relevant experience;
- lesser formal qualifications with substantial years of relevant experience;
- attained through previous appointments, service and/or study, an equivalent level of expertise and experience to undertake a range of activities,
State Government Health Awards
Salary ranges of $58,225- $149,990
Health professional for the purposes of this award includes employees who possess, as a minimum, a relevant bachelor degree or equivalent qualification, and who are involved in one or more of the following: · provision of direct clinical and/or professional services to patients · planning, co-ordination or evaluation of the delivery of clinical or professional services · provision of professional supervision or consultation to other health professionals · provision of professional education services to other health professionals · management of clinical or professional services providing direct services to patients.
Minimum commencing salaries at Level 1 are as follows:
5.2.1. employees who hold an appropriate degree, or other approved equivalent qualification, requiring three years of full time study shall commence on the Level 1, Year 1 salary
5.2.2. employees who hold an appropriate degree, or other approved equivalent qualification requiring more than three years full time study shall commence on the Level 1, Year 2 salary.
5.2.3. employees who have completed an undergraduate degree and a Masters degree, or other approved equivalent qualifications requiring more than four years of combined full time study shall commence on the Level 1, Year 3 salary.
4 5.3. Salary progression within Levels 1 – 6 will occur following 12 months satisfactory service.
- Sole Practitioner Allowance 6.1. The sole practitioner allowance is payable to positions at Level 1 or Level 2 where position occupants:
- are the only practitioner of their discipline at the site; and
- are required to exercise independent professional judgement on a day to day basis without ready face to face access to another like professional who has expertise and knowledge relevant to the sole practitioner’s discipline for the purpose of providing informal consultation, assistance and advice; or
- undertakes administrative or other related responsibilities that would otherwise not be expected of a Level 1 or Level 2 position.
6.2. The sole practitioner allowance is equal to the difference between the maximum Level 2 salary and the minimum Level 3 salary. Per annum 6,376
Voluntary work
The DTAA supports initiatives of members in undertaking unpaid work, either as formal part of training through student placements, or in voluntary or pro-bono humanitarian work. However, the Association recommends that members do not work without pay in situations that otherwise would be paid professional dance movement therapy roles.
References:
Allied Health Award applies to physiotherapists, occupational therapists, music therapists http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Documents/Salary-VPS.pdf
FairWork Ombudsman (2016). Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 201001 September 2016
Health NSW Award http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/careers/conditions/Awards/hsu_health_professional.pdf
IACAT (2014) Irish Association of CATS salary survey