Doctors salary: award minimum rates and how they compare with the national pay floor

Doctors salary: award minimums and the national pay floor

When people search for "doctors salary" in Australia, they often want to know the typical pay. But the legal minimum is set by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020, which covers most doctors in private and public hospitals. This award, enforced by the Fair Work Ombudsman, provides minimum rates that are much higher than the national minimum wage.

How the award sets the floor

The Medical Practitioners Award 2020 (MA000031) applies to employers of medical practitioners throughout Australia. It classifies doctors into roles such as intern, resident medical officer, registrar, senior registrar, career medical practitioner, specialist, and senior specialist. Each classification has pay points based on experience.

From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the minimum annual salary for an intern is $66,432. That works out to $1,277.54 per week or $33.62 per hour. For a resident medical officer at pay point 1, the minimum is $70,529 per year ($1,356.33 per week). A registrar at pay point 1 earns at least $80,248 per year ($1,543.23 per week). Specialists start at $121,535 per year ($2,337.21 per week).

These rates are the legal minimum. An enterprise agreement or individual contract can pay more, but never less. The award also includes penalty rates for weekend and public holiday work, overtime, and recall-to-duty allowances. For example, an intern working on a Saturday or Sunday receives $50.43 per hour (150% of the base rate), and on a public holiday $84.05 per hour (250%).

How does this compare with the national minimum wage?

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a full-time adult. That figure applies to award-free employees. But doctors are covered by the Medical Practitioners Award, so their minimum is the award rate, not the national minimum. The national minimum acts only as a safety net if no award applies – which is rare for medical practitioners.

For context, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported in May 2026 that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings averaged $2,083.70 per week. A doctor on the intern award rate ($1,277.54) is below that average, but a specialist on the award minimum ($2,337.21) is above it. Remember, these are minimums; many doctors earn more through enterprise agreements or private practice.

Superannuation is on top

All award rates are base salaries. Employers must also pay the superannuation guarantee – currently 12% of ordinary time earnings. So for an intern on $66,432, the employer contributes an extra $7,971.84 into super each year. This is separate from the salary and is not included in the award rates shown.

What about survey averages and negotiated salaries?

The award minimum is not the same as the average or median doctors salary. Surveys from medical associations or recruitment firms often report higher figures because they include overtime, bonuses, and private practice income. For example, a specialist in private practice may earn well above the award rate. The award only sets the floor; actual pay depends on experience, location, and bargaining.

Which pay floor applies to you?

If you are a doctor employed in Australia, your minimum pay is set by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020 (unless a state public sector award applies). Check the classification that matches your role and experience. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides a pay calculator and the full award text.

For more on how minimum wages work generally, see our Which minimum wage applies guide. You can also browse Rate tables for other occupations.

Key takeaways

• The Medical Practitioners Award 2020 sets minimum salaries for doctors, starting at $66,432 for interns.
• These rates are well above the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour.
• Superannuation (12%) is paid on top of the award salary.
• Actual doctors salary can be higher due to enterprise agreements, overtime, or private practice.
• Always check the award classification for your specific role.

FAQs

Does the national minimum wage apply to doctors?

No. Doctors are covered by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020, which sets higher minimum rates. The national minimum wage ($26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026) acts as a backstop only if an award or agreement is absent, but doctors are almost always covered by the award.

What is the minimum salary for a doctor in training?

Under the Medical Practitioners Award 2020, an intern (first-year doctor in training) must be paid at least $66,432 per year, or $1,277.54 per week. Rates increase with experience: resident medical officers start at $70,529, registrars at $80,248, and senior registrars at $105,951.

Is superannuation included in the award rates?

No. The award rates are base salaries. Employers must also pay the superannuation guarantee, which is 12% of ordinary time earnings from 1 July 2026. This is paid on top of the minimum salary.

For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.