Average Doctor Salary Australia: Award Minimums vs. Market Reality

Q: What is the minimum pay for a doctor in Australia?

The minimum pay for doctors is set by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020, which covers interns, residents, registrars, career medical practitioners, specialists, and senior specialists. As of 1 July 2026, an intern must be paid at least $66,432 per year ($33.62 per hour), while a specialist starts at $133,688 per year ($67.66 per hour). These are legal minimums; many doctors earn more under enterprise agreements or individual contracts.

Q: How does the average doctor salary compare to the award minimum?

The 'average doctor salary' is not published by the ABS specifically, but the Medical Practitioners Award minimums are well below what most experienced doctors earn. For example, a senior specialist's minimum is $150,985 per year, but the Australian Medical Association and other surveys suggest average specialist incomes exceed $200,000–$300,000. The award is a floor, not a benchmark for typical earnings.

Q: Is superannuation included in the award rates?

No. The award rates are base salaries before superannuation. Employers must pay an additional 12% super guarantee on top of ordinary time earnings. For a specialist on the minimum $133,688, the employer would contribute about $16,042 to super each year. This is not part of the quoted salary.

The Medical Practitioners Award sets minimum salaries from $66,432 for interns to over $150,000 for senior specialists, but actual average doctor salaries are higher and vary by specialty and location.

Average Doctor Salary Australia: Separating the Legal Minimum from Market Averages

When people search for 'average doctor salary australia', they often mix up the legal minimum pay floor with survey averages or negotiated salaries. This guide explains the difference using the Medical Practitioners Award 2020, which sets the minimum rates for doctors in Australia, and compares those to broader earnings data.

The Legal Minimum: Medical Practitioners Award 2020

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage, but most doctors are covered by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020 (MA000031). The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the pay guide and enforces compliance. Under this award, minimum salaries vary by classification and pay point. For a full-time employee working 38 ordinary hours per week, the minimum annual salaries from 1 July 2026 are:

Intern: $66,432 ($33.62/hour)
Resident medical practitioner (pay point 1): $70,529 ($35.69/hour)
Registrar (pay point 1): $80,247 ($40.61/hour)
Senior registrar (pay point 1): $104,874 ($53.07/hour)
Career medical practitioner (pay point 1): $105,951 ($53.62/hour)
Specialist: $133,688 ($67.66/hour)
Senior specialist (pay point 1): $142,948 ($72.35/hour)
Principal specialist: $166,083 ($84.05/hour)

These are minimum rates. An employer can pay more under an enterprise agreement or individual contract. The award also includes penalty rates for weekend, public holiday, and overtime work, which can increase actual earnings significantly.

How the Award Relates to the National Minimum Wage

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week). However, the Medical Practitioners Award has its own higher minimums, so the national minimum only applies if a doctor is award-free (rare). Even the lowest award classification (intern) pays $33.62 per hour, well above the national floor. The award also sets introductory rates for new employees in some classifications, but these cannot fall below $25.74 per hour.

Superannuation: An Extra 12% on Top

All award rates are base salaries. Employers must pay an additional 12% superannuation guarantee into the employee's chosen fund. For a specialist on the minimum $133,688, that's about $16,042 per year in super. This is not included in the quoted salary figures. When comparing job offers, always check whether super is quoted separately or included.

Survey Averages vs. Award Minimums

The ABS publishes average weekly earnings for full-time adults ($2,083.70 per week as of May 2026), but this covers all occupations, not just doctors. For a more accurate picture of 'average doctor salary australia', you would need specialty-specific surveys from organisations like the Australian Medical Association or the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Those surveys typically show average incomes well above award minimums—for example, GPs averaging around $200,000–$250,000 and specialists often exceeding $300,000. However, these figures are not official government data and can vary by location, experience, and hours worked.

Negotiated Salaries and Enterprise Agreements

Many public hospital doctors are covered by enterprise agreements that set higher rates than the award. Private practice doctors may earn even more, but they also bear practice costs. The award is a safety net, not a ceiling. When evaluating a job offer, compare it to the award minimum for your classification and check if the rate includes allowances or on-call payments.

What This Means for You

If you are a doctor or employer, the first step is to identify the correct classification under the Medical Practitioners Award. Use the Which minimum wage applies guide to check coverage. Then refer to the Rate tables for the exact minimums. Remember that super is additional, and penalty rates may apply. The award minimum is your legal floor; actual average doctor salaries are typically much higher, but always verify with current survey data or your enterprise agreement.

FAQs

What is the minimum pay for a doctor in Australia? The Medical Practitioners Award sets minimums from $66,432 for interns to over $150,000 for senior specialists. These are before super and penalty rates.

How does the average doctor salary compare to the award minimum? The award is a floor. Survey averages for doctors are significantly higher—often double or triple the minimum for experienced specialists.

Is superannuation included in the award rates? No. Super is paid on top at 12% of ordinary time earnings.