Pediatrician Salary in Australia: Award Minimums and What They Mean
The legal minimum for a specialist paediatrician under the Medical Practitioners Award 2020 is $121,535 per year ($2,337.21 per week), but actual salaries are often higher through enterprise agreements or private practice.
Pediatrician Salary: Legal Minimum vs Actual Earnings
When researching a pediatrician salary in Australia, the first thing to understand is that most paediatricians are covered by a modern award – the Medical Practitioners Award 2020, unless they work in a public hospital or under a state award or enterprise agreement. The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage, but the Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces the award. For a specialist paediatrician, the award minimum is $121,535 per year for a full-time employee (38 ordinary hours per week). That works out to $2,337.21 per week or $61.51 per hour. This is the legal floor; actual paediatrician salaries are often higher, especially for experienced specialists or those in private practice.
The Medical Practitioners Award 2020
The Medical Practitioners Award 2020 covers medical practitioners in the private sector, including paediatricians classified as specialists. The award has different pay points for interns, registrars, and specialists. For a specialist paediatrician, the minimum annual salary from 1 July 2026 is $121,535. This rate is significantly above the adult national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week). The award also includes higher rates for after-hours work, overtime, and on-call allowances. The Rate tables on this site show the full award pay points.
It's important to note that the award rate is a minimum. Many paediatricians are employed under enterprise agreements that set higher salaries, or they work in public hospitals where state awards apply. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides guidance on which award covers a particular role.
Award-Free vs Award Coverage
Most paediatricians are not award-free because they are covered by an award or agreement. However, if a paediatrician were somehow award-free (e.g., a sole practitioner not covered by any award), the national minimum wage would apply: $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week. But that is unlikely. The award backstop ensures that even if an award applies, the minimum cannot be below the national minimum. For paediatricians, the award rate is much higher, so the national minimum is not relevant. The Guides section explains how to check award coverage.
How Superannuation Fits
All employers must pay super guarantee on top of ordinary time earnings. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12%. So a paediatrician on the award minimum of $121,535 per year means the employer also pays $14,534.52 in super per year. This is not part of the salary figure but is an additional payment.
What the Data Shows
Jobs and Skills Australia (from ABS data) reports that paediatricians have a median age of 41 years, 67% female, and work average full-time hours of 46 per week. However, no median weekly earnings are published for 6-digit occupations like paediatricians. The only reliable figure is the award minimum. Actual paediatrician salaries can vary widely based on experience, location, and whether they work in public or private practice. Some enterprise agreements for public hospital specialists may pay $200,000 or more.
Key Takeaway
When you see a pediatrician salary figure, always check whether it's the award minimum, an enterprise agreement rate, or a private practice income. The legal floor is $121,535 per year plus super. Anything above that is negotiated or set by an agreement.
Questions people ask next
Is the Medical Practitioners Award the only legal minimum for paediatricians?
Yes, for paediatricians working in the private sector, the Medical Practitioners Award 2020 sets the legal minimum. Public hospital paediatricians are usually covered by state awards or enterprise agreements, which may set higher rates. The national minimum wage does not apply because the award covers these workers.
Do paediatricians always earn more than the award minimum?
Not necessarily – the award is a floor. Many paediatricians employed under enterprise agreements or individual contracts often earn above the award, especially after years of experience or in private practice. The award provides a starting point.
How does superannuation affect a pediatrician salary?
Super guarantee is 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. For a specialist on the award minimum of $121,121 per year, the employer must also pay $14,534.52 in super per year. This is separate from the salary figure.
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