Lexi Webster
Doctors in Australia are well-compensated, with salaries depending on factors such as specialisation, experience, location, and setting. Overall, the average doctor's salary in Australia is around AUD$150,000 to AUD$300,000 per year, with some sources placing it at AUD$190,000. Doctors in rural or remote areas may earn more due to government incentives and higher demand. Specialist doctors, such as neurosurgeons and cardiothoracic surgeons, can earn upwards of AUD$600,000, while junior doctors typically earn between AUD$65,000 and AUD$150,000. The Australian healthcare system offers excellent career opportunities and competitive remuneration packages, attracting both local and international professionals.
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What You'll Learn
Doctors' salaries in Australia
The salary range for doctors in Australia is quite wide. Doctors starting their medical careers, often termed interns or first-year residents, can expect to earn between AUD$60,000 and $80,000 annually. As they gain more experience and climb to higher resident years, their salary can increase to between AUD$80,000 and $100,000.
The overall average doctor's salary in Australia is between AUD$150,000 and $300,000, however, this can vary depending on their grade and specialty. For example, resident medical officers (RMOs) earn around AUD$65,000–$95,000, while senior RMOs can make AUD$73,000–$133,000. Career medical officers earn between $120,000 and $160,000, and registrars earn between $85,000 and $150,000.
Specialist doctors tend to have a higher earning potential. For example, neurosurgeons and cardiothoracic surgeons can command salaries upwards of AUD$600,000, with some experienced surgeons earning AUD$800,000 or more. Radiologists and anaesthetists are also among the higher earners, with salaries that can surpass AUD$550,000 annually.
The highest-paid specialty in Australia is surgery, with ophthalmologists, ENT surgeons, cardiologists, urologists, orthopaedic surgeons, plastic surgeons, vascular surgeons, and gastroenterologists also being among the highest-paid doctors.
In addition to their salary, doctors in Australia may also receive other benefits, such as professional development opportunities, allowances for on-call duties, and employer-sponsored health insurance. These benefits can contribute to an attractive overall compensation package.
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Factors affecting pay
A doctor's salary in Australia varies depending on several factors, including experience, location, specialisation, and employer. Doctors in Australia can expect a competitive remuneration package, with salaries ranging from AUD$60,000 to AUD$800,000 or more annually.
Experience:
Experience plays a crucial role in determining a doctor's salary in Australia. Entry-level positions start at around AUD$100,000 per year, while experienced doctors can earn up to AUD$400,000 or more. The more experience a doctor has, the higher their earning potential. For example, a junior doctor with less experience can expect a salary between AUD$65,000 and AUD$150,000, while a senior doctor with more experience can earn significantly more.
Location:
The geographic location of a doctor's practice also influences their earnings. Doctors in rural or remote areas may earn more than those in urban areas due to government incentives and additional allowances designed to attract medical professionals to regions with limited healthcare services. For example, junior doctors in the Northern Territory earn around AUD$87,000 per year, while their counterparts in Tasmania make about AUD$72,000.
Specialisation:
A doctor's specialty can significantly impact their salary. Surgeons, particularly neurosurgeons, cardiothoracic surgeons, and ophthalmologists, are among the highest-paid specialities, with incomes exceeding AUD$500,000 per year. Other specialities in high demand include emergency medicine, general medicine, psychiatry, and anaesthetics, which offer competitive salaries.
Employer:
The type of employer, whether it is the public or private sector, can also affect a doctor's salary in Australia. Doctors working in public hospitals may benefit from salary packaging, which reduces taxable income. Additionally, doctors in private practice may have more control over their fees and earnings.
Other Factors:
Other factors that can influence a doctor's salary in Australia include their grade or level of training, qualifications, individual certifications, and contract terms. Benefits and allowances, such as professional development opportunities, on-call duty allowances, and employer-sponsored health insurance, also contribute to the overall compensation package, making the medical profession in Australia attractive to many professionals.
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Highest-paid specialities
The salary of doctors in Australia varies depending on factors such as experience, location, and specialisation. Doctors with their own practice are generally paid more than those who work for practice owners, but both are paid more than the average worker. Doctors in rural or remote areas also tend to earn more than those in urban areas due to government incentives and additional allowances.
The highest-paid specialities in Australia are:
Surgery
Surgery is the highest-paid speciality in Australia, with an average taxable income of around AUD$394,000. Neurosurgeons have the highest average taxable income in the country, earning upwards of AUD$500,000 to AUD$600,000. Ophthalmologists, ENT surgeons, cardiothoracic surgeons, urologists, orthopaedic surgeons, plastic surgeons, vascular surgeons, and gastroenterologists are also among the highest-paid surgeons.
Anaesthetics
Anaesthetists are among the higher earners in the medical profession, with salaries that can surpass AUD$300,000 to AUD$550,000 annually.
Internal Medicine
Doctors specialising in internal medicine can expect to earn between AUD$118,000 and AUD$300,000 per year.
Cardiology
Cardiologists in Australia earn around AUD$120,000 per year, with experienced cardiologists earning up to AUD$335,000.
Psychiatry
Psychiatry is another well-paid speciality in Australia, with an average salary of AUD$190,910 annually. Entry-level positions start at AUD$136,205, while experienced psychiatrists can earn up to AUD$230,560.
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Junior doctor salaries
Junior doctors in Australia typically earn the lowest salaries within the medical profession, with their earnings increasing as they gain experience and specialisation in specific fields. A junior doctor's salary can be broken down into three components: base salary, rostered overtime, and unrostered overtime. The base salary is the fixed amount paid for working standard hours from Monday to Friday. Rostered overtime is the additional remuneration for scheduled shifts outside of the base salary hours, and unrostered overtime is the pay for hours worked beyond any rostered shifts. Weekend shifts usually pay 1.5 times the base hourly rate, and double on Sundays.
The salary of a junior doctor in Australia varies depending on factors such as experience, location, and the type of healthcare facility. For instance, in Melbourne, the average annual wage for a junior doctor ranges from AUD $75,000 to AUD $105,000, while in Perth, it falls within a similar range from AUD $73,000 to AUD $103,000. Western Australia stands out with a starting salary of approximately AUD $84,000 for RMOs, partly due to the higher cost of living in regions like Perth. South Australia and Tasmania also offer competitive packages, with starting salaries of around AUD $77,000 and AUD $75,500, respectively.
In 2025, the average annual salary for a resident medical officer (RMO) in Australia typically falls between AUD$65,000 to AUD$95,000, with senior RMOs earning between AUD$73,000 and AUD$133,000. Career medical officers (CMOs) can expect between AUD$120,000 and AUD$160,000, while registrars earn between AUD$85,000 and AUD$150,000. The highest-paid specialty in Australia is surgery, followed by other in-demand specialties such as emergency medicine, general medicine, psychiatry, intensive care, and anaesthetics.
Junior doctors in Australia are entitled to salary packaging benefits, which can increase their overall take-home pay. For example, a PGY3 doctor in Queensland with a base salary of AUD$92,098 could expect to take home close to AUD$100,000 after including extra pay for penalties and benefits from salary packaging. Additionally, on-call arrangements and overtime can significantly impact a junior doctor's salary. For instance, being on-call in NSW attracts a payment of AUD$16.60 for a 24-hour period, excluding any payments for attending while on-call, which are covered by overtime.
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Benefits and allowances
Doctors in Australia enjoy a range of benefits and allowances that vary depending on their employer and location. These perks can significantly enhance their overall compensation package and work-life balance, making Australia a desirable destination for medical professionals worldwide.
- Superannuation: Employers contribute a minimum of 10.5% of ordinary earnings to doctors' pension funds in 2023, increasing to 11.5% in 2025 and 12% from July 2025, ensuring robust retirement savings.
- Wellness and Financial Perks: Doctors may receive wellness stipends, employee discounts, allowances for healthcare, and other benefits that promote work-life balance.
- Private Health Insurance: Some employers provide additional healthcare coverage beyond the standard Medicare system.
- Bonuses and Incentives: Performance-based bonuses and recognition programs offer financial incentives for doctors.
- Other Perks: Doctors may receive benefits such as free meals, birthday leave, and well-being programs.
- Salary Packaging: Doctors working in public hospitals can structure their salary to include benefits, reducing their taxable income.
- Overtime Pay: Doctors are compensated for working overtime, with higher rates for evenings, nights, weekends, public holidays, and penalty rates.
- Professional Development Allowance: Funds are provided for professional development opportunities, such as further training or conferences.
- On-Call Allowances: Doctors receive additional payments for being on call and are compensated for meals when on call for extended periods.
- Rural Incentives: Doctors practising in rural or remote areas may earn higher salaries due to government incentives and allowances aimed at attracting medical professionals to underserved regions.
These benefits and allowances contribute to the overall attractiveness of the medical profession in Australia, enhancing the financial and lifestyle advantages that doctors can access.
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Frequently asked questions
The average yearly salary for a doctor in Australia is around AUD$190,000, but this can vary depending on factors such as experience, location, and specialisation.
Doctors who are just starting their medical career, often termed interns or first-year residents, can expect to earn between AUD $60,000 to $80,000 annually.
The highest-paid specialty in Australia is surgery, with an average taxable income of around AUD$394,000. Neurosurgeons have the highest average taxable income, with salaries upwards of AUD$600,000.
