What is the minimum wage for a radiologist in Australia?

Under the Medical Practitioners Award (MA000031), a specialist must be paid at least $2,570.93 per week ($67.66 per hour) from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. This is the legal minimum for an employed specialist. Radiologists who are contractors or covered by an enterprise agreement may have different arrangements, but the award rate acts as a safety net.

Do radiologists get superannuation on top of their salary?

Yes. Employers must pay the superannuation guarantee, which is 12% of ordinary time earnings from 1 July 2026. This is paid on top of the base salary or wage. For a specialist on the award minimum, that adds about $308.51 per week in super contributions.

How can I find the actual salary for a radiologist in Australia?

Actual salaries vary widely by experience, location, and sector (public vs private). The Australian Bureau of Statistics and Jobs and Skills Australia do not publish a specific median for diagnostic and interventional radiologists due to small sample sizes. Checking job advertisements, industry surveys, or speaking with professional bodies may give a better indication of market rates.

Radiologist salary Australia: which pay floor applies and what people mix up

The legal minimum for a specialist radiologist under the Medical Practitioners Award is $2,570.93 per week ($67.66 per hour) from 1 July 2026, but actual salaries are typically much higher and not published as a median.

Radiologist salary Australia: understanding the pay floor

When people search for "radiologist salary Australia", they often expect a single figure. In reality, there are several layers: the national minimum wage, the relevant award minimum, and the much higher market rates that radiologists typically earn. This guide explains which pay floor applies and what the official sources say.

The legal minimum: national minimum wage and award backstop

Every national-system employee in Australia is entitled to at least the national minimum wage. From 1 July 2026, that is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for a full-time adult worker. Casual employees get a 25% loading, so $33.05 per hour. However, for most radiologists, a modern award sets a higher minimum.

Radiologists who are employees (not contractors) are typically covered by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020 (MA000031). Under that award, a Specialist must be paid at least $2,570.93 per week or $67.66 per hour from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. Senior specialists have higher minimums, up to $3,374.36 per week for a senior principal specialist. These rates are set by the Fair Work Commission and enforced by the Fair Work Ombudsman.

It is important to note that the award minimum is a floor, not a target. An enterprise agreement or individual contract can require a higher rate. If no award or agreement applies, the national minimum wage is the backstop.

What the data shows: hours, age, and gender

According to Jobs and Skills Australia (using ABS Census data), diagnostic and interventional radiologists work an average of 45 hours per week when full-time, and 74% work full-time hours. The median age is 45, and 34% are female. These figures come from the 2021 Census and the ABS Labour Force Survey.

Crucially, the ABS does not publish a median weekly earnings figure for this occupation in its Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours. The sample is too small. That is why you will not find an official "average radiologist salary" from the ABS or the Fair Work Ombudsman. Any figure you see online is likely from a private survey or recruitment site, not a government source.

Separating the award rate from market rates

The award rate for a specialist ($2,570.93 per week) is significantly higher than the national average weekly ordinary-time earnings for all full-time adults ($2,083.70 per week in May 2026, according to the ABS). But even that award rate is well below what most radiologists actually earn. Radiologists are highly specialised medical practitioners, and their remuneration reflects years of training and the complexity of their work. Many are employed under enterprise agreements in public hospitals or negotiate private practice arrangements that far exceed the award.

If you are an employer or employee trying to determine the correct minimum, start with the award classification. For a radiologist, the appropriate classification is usually Specialist or Senior Specialist under the Medical Practitioners Award. Check the award's classification definitions and any applicable enterprise agreement. The Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool can help.

Superannuation: an extra 12%

Whenever pay is discussed, remember that superannuation is an employer cost on top. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. For a specialist on the award minimum, that adds about $308.51 per week. This is not deducted from the salary; it is paid separately into the employee's super fund.

Common misconceptions

Myth: The national minimum wage of $26.44 applies to everyone. Fact: Award-covered employees, including radiologists, have higher minimums. The national minimum is only for award-free workers.
Myth: The Fair Work Ombudsman sets pay rates. Fact: The Fair Work Commission sets minimum wages and award rates. The Ombudsman provides information and enforces compliance.
Myth: There is a published median salary for radiologists from the ABS. Fact: The ABS does not publish a median for this occupation due to small sample sizes. Any median you see elsewhere is not an official government figure.

Where to go for more information

Which minimum wage applies – a tool to check your coverage.
Rate tables – current award and national minimum rates.
Guides – detailed explanations of pay rules.

Summary

For a radiologist salary in Australia, the legal floor depends on employment status. If employed under the Medical Practitioners Award, the minimum is $2,570.93 per week for a specialist. If award-free, the national minimum of $1,004.90 per week applies. Actual earnings are almost always higher, but no official median exists. Always check the relevant award or agreement, and remember that super is paid on top.