What is the minimum wage for a GP in Australia?

There is no single minimum wage for all GPs. If you are an employee covered by the Medical Practitioners Award, the minimum rates apply (e.g., intern $33.62/h, registrar up to $45.56/h). If you are award-free, the national minimum wage of $26.44/h applies. Many GPs are self-employed contractors and negotiate their own rates.

Do GPs get superannuation?

Yes, if you are an employee, your employer must pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% on top of your ordinary time earnings. This applies to award-covered and award-free employees. Self-employed GPs are responsible for their own super.

How does the Medical Practitioners Award apply to GPs?

The Medical Practitioners Award covers employers of medical practitioners in hospitals, hospices, day procedure centres, and similar settings. It sets minimum rates for interns, resident medical officers, and registrars. Fully qualified GPs working in private practice are often not covered by the award if they are independent contractors or if their employer is not in the award's scope.

GP Salary Australia: Award Coverage vs Award-Free Rates Explained

The national minimum wage is $26.44/h ($1,004.90/week), but most GPs are covered by the Medical Practitioners Award or are self-employed; the award minimum for a registrar is up to $45.56/h, while ABS reports median full-time GP earnings of $2,446/week.

Understanding GP Salary Australia: Award vs Award-Free

When researching "gp salary australia", it is crucial to separate the legal minimum from survey averages and negotiated salaries. The pay floor depends on whether you are covered by a modern award, an enterprise agreement, or are award-free. Most GPs fall under the Medical Practitioners Award 2020 if employed in a hospital or similar setting, but many in private practice are self-employed or contractors, meaning the award does not apply.

The National Minimum Wage as a Backstop

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the adult rate is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a full-time employee (38 ordinary hours). This is the absolute minimum for award-free employees who are not covered by any other instrument. However, junior employees, apprentices, and trainees may be paid less. The national minimum acts as a safety net, but most GPs earn well above it.

Medical Practitioners Award Minimum Rates

The Medical Practitioners Award 2020 (MA000031) provides minimum annual salaries and hourly rates for employees classified as interns, resident medical practitioners, and registrars. These rates are higher than the national minimum. For example, from 1 July 2026:

Intern: $33.62/h ($1,277.54/week)
Resident Medical Practitioner (Pay Point 1): $35.69/h ($1,356.33/week)
Registrar (Pay Point 4): $45.56/h ($1,731.12/week)

These are minimums; an enterprise agreement or individual contract can set a higher rate. The award also includes penalty rates for weekend and public holiday work, and overtime provisions. Note that the award does not cover all GPs – it specifically covers employers in hospitals, hospices, benevolent homes, and day procedure centres. GPs working in private clinics as independent contractors are generally not covered.

Survey Averages: ABS Data

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) provides median earnings data for General Practitioners and Resident Medical Officers. According to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025), the median full-time weekly earnings for this group is $2,446, and the median hourly earnings is $60. This is significantly above both the national minimum and award rates. However, this figure is a survey average, not a minimum. It reflects the earnings of employees (including registrars and GPs in training) and may not capture self-employed GPs. The ABS notes that these figures are a guide only and do not account for experience or other factors.

Award-Free GPs and Negotiated Salaries

If you are a GP who is not covered by the Medical Practitioners Award (e.g., you work in a private practice under a contract for services), you are award-free. In that case, the national minimum wage applies as a floor, but your actual salary is negotiated. Many GPs in this situation earn well above the minimum, often based on a percentage of billings or a fixed hourly rate. It is important to understand your employment status – employee vs contractor – as this affects your entitlements to leave, superannuation, and award coverage.

Superannuation: An Employer Payment on Top

Regardless of award coverage, if you are an employee, your employer must pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% on top of your ordinary time earnings. This is not deducted from your salary; it is an additional payment to a super fund. For self-employed GPs, you are responsible for your own super contributions.

How to Determine Your Pay Floor

To find out which rate applies to you:

Check if you are covered by the Medical Practitioners Award. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides guidance on coverage.
If covered by the award, the minimum rates in the award apply. Your employer may pay more under an enterprise agreement or contract.
If award-free, the national minimum wage is the floor. However, most GPs earn above this.
Remember that junior rates, apprenticeship rates, and supported wages can be lower than the adult minimum.

For more details, see our Which minimum wage applies guide and Rate tables.

Key Takeaways

The national minimum wage ($26.44/h) is the backstop for award-free employees.
The Medical Practitioners Award sets higher minimums for employed GPs in hospitals and similar settings.
ABS median earnings ($2,446/week) reflect a survey average, not a minimum.
Superannuation of 12% is paid on top of ordinary time earnings for employees.
Always check your award coverage or employment status to know your legal minimum.

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