Surgeon Salary Australia: How Your Hourly Rate Compares to the National Minimum

Surgeon Salary Australia: What You Need to Know

If you are searching for "surgeon salary australia", you are likely trying to understand how much surgeons earn and whether they are paid at least the legal minimum. This guide explains the different pay floors that apply to surgeons, how the typical salary compares, and what you should check if you are offered a rate.

The Legal Minimum: National Minimum Wage

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage. From 1 July 2026, the adult national minimum is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual minimum $33.05 per hour. These rates apply to award-free and agreement-free national system employees. However, most surgeons are covered by a modern award or enterprise agreement, which usually require higher pay.

Award Coverage for Surgeons

Surgeons are typically covered by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database contains the minimum rates for classifications under this award, including surgeons. While the exact award rates for surgeons are not published in the search results, the award backstop ensures that no ongoing classification can fall below the national minimum. From 1 July 2026, modern award minimum wages in modern awards increased by 4.75%, with an introductory rate (first six months) of $25.74 per hour. But for surgeons, the actual award rate is much higher. If you are a surgeon, you should check the Medical Practitioners Award or your enterprise agreement to see the specific classification rate. The award rate will be higher than the national minimum.

Survey Averages: What the ABS Says

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) provides median earnings data for surgeons. For the broad occupation group "Surgeons (ANZSCO 2535)," the median full-time median weekly earnings are $3,905, and median hourly earnings are $80. This is based on the Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025. This is a survey average, not a legal minimum. It gives a realistic benchmark. A surgeon earning $80 per hour is well above the national minimum.

Negotiated Salaries and Individual Contracts

Some surgeons work under individual contracts outside an award or agreement. In that case, the only floor is the national minimum. But most surgeons are in private practice or public hospitals with award rates. If you are offered a salary, compare your hourly rate against the award rate or the ABS median. Remember that superannuation of 12% is on top of your ordinary time earnings.

How to Check Your Rate

You can do a quick check: take your hourly rate and compare it to $26.44. If you are paid less than that, you may be underpaid. But for surgeons, the typical rate is much higher. Use our Which minimum wage applies to see if you are covered. Also see our Rate tables for award rates.

Superannuation

Employers must pay super guarantee of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. For a surgeon earning $80 per hour, that adds about $9.60 per hour in super. That is not deducted from the salary.

FAQs

What is the minimum wage for a surgeon in Australia? There is no single minimum wage for surgeons. The national minimum is $26.44 per hour, but most surgeons are covered by the Medical Practitioners Award or an agreement that sets higher rates.

How does the typical surgeon salary compare with the national minimum? The ABS reports median hourly earnings of $80 for surgeons, about three times the national minimum. Individual rates vary.

Do surgeons receive superannuation on top of their salary? Yes, 12% super guarantee is paid by the employer on top of ordinary time earnings.

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