What is the legal minimum pay for a plastic surgeon in Australia?

If you are employed as a plastic surgeon and covered by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020, the minimum annual salary for a Specialist is $121,535 (from 1 July 2026), which equals $61.51 per hour based on a 38-hour week. Higher rates apply for Senior Specialist and Principal Specialist classifications. If you are award-free, the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour applies, but this is unlikely for a qualified plastic surgeon. Always check your employment contract or enterprise agreement, as it may set a higher rate.

Does the plastic surgeon salary include superannuation?

No, the minimum rates in the Medical Practitioners Award are base salaries before super. Employers must pay superannuation guarantee of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings (from 1 July 2026). For a Specialist on $121,535, the super contribution would be an additional $14,584.20 per year, making total employment cost $136,119.20.

Where can I find the current award rates for plastic surgeons?

The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the Medical Practitioners Award 2020 (MA000031) on its website. The rates shown in this guide are from the award as at 1 July 2026. You can also check the Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database for the latest classifications and pay points. For a practical comparison, use our [Rate tables](/rates) to see how your hourly rate stacks up against the legal minimum.

Plastic Surgeon Salary: How to Check Your Rate Against the Legal Minimum

The minimum hourly rate for a Specialist plastic surgeon under the Medical Practitioners Award 2020 is $61.51 per hour (from 1 July 2026), with superannuation guarantee of 12% on top.

Plastic Surgeon Salary: Know Your Legal Minimum

If you are searching for a plastic surgeon salary figure, the most reliable starting point is the legal minimum that applies under Australian workplace law. This guide explains the pay floor for plastic surgeons employed under the Medical Practitioners Award 2020, how it compares with the national minimum wage, and what to consider if you are self-employed or covered by an enterprise agreement.

The Award Minimum for a Plastic Surgeon

Plastic and reconstructive surgeons are classified under ANZSCO 253517 and fall within the Surgeons (2535) occupation group. For employees, the relevant industrial instrument is the Medical Practitioners Award 2020 (MA000031), which sets minimum rates for interns, residents, registrars, specialists, and senior specialists.

From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the minimum annual salary for a Specialist under the award is $121,535. Based on a 38-hour ordinary week, that equates to:

$2,337.21 per week
$61.51 per hour

Higher rates apply for Senior Specialist (Pay Point 1: $129,953 per year, $65.77 per hour) and Principal Specialist ($154,062 per year, $77.97 per hour). These are the legal minimums; your actual pay may be higher under an enterprise agreement or individual contract.

How This Compares 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 employee). This is the absolute floor for award-free employees. However, a qualified plastic surgeon would almost never be paid at this rate because the Medical Practitioners Award covers most medical practitioners in the national system. The award specialist rate is more than double the national minimum.

For casual employees, the national minimum casual rate is $33.05 per hour (including the 25% casual loading). The award does not specify a separate casual rate for specialists; casual loading is typically 25% on top of the minimum hourly rate, so a casual specialist would receive at least $76.89 per hour.

Superannuation Is Paid on Top

All minimum rates mentioned are base salaries. Employers must pay the superannuation guarantee of 12% on ordinary time earnings (from 1 July 2026). For a Specialist on $121,535, the employer super contribution is $14,584.20 per year. This is in addition to the salary, not deducted from it.

What If You Are Self-Employed or in Private Practice?

Many plastic surgeons work in private practice or as contractors. In that case, the award does not apply, and your income is determined by your fees, patient volume, and business costs. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) may have guidance on reasonable salary levels for tax purposes, but there is no single legal minimum hourly rate for self-employed professionals. The ABS does not publish median earnings for plastic surgeons at the 6-digit ANZSCO level, so we cannot provide a typical market rate.

Practical Check: Compare Your Hourly Rate

If you are an employed plastic surgeon, you can check your hourly rate against the award minimum. Divide your annual salary by 52 weeks, then by 38 hours. If the result is below $61.51, you may be underpaid. Remember that the award also includes allowances, overtime, and penalty rates for work outside ordinary hours.

For a broader view of how your pay compares with other occupations, see our Which minimum wage applies guide or explore the Rate tables for different classifications.

Key Sources

Fair Work Ombudsman: Medical Practitioners Award 2020 (MA000031) – minimum rates effective 1 July 2026.
Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation profile for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (253517) – notes that median weekly earnings are not produced for 6-digit occupations.
Australian Bureau of Statistics: Average weekly ordinary-time earnings for full-time adults was $2,083.70 in May 2026 (a benchmark, not a plastic surgeon figure).

Important Note

This guide is for orientation only. It is not a pay determination or legal advice. A modern award or enterprise agreement can set a higher rate than the national minimum. Junior rates, apprentice rates, and supported wages may be lower. Always consult the Fair Work Ombudsman or a workplace relations professional for your specific situation.

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