Anesthesiologist Salary in Australia: Awards vs the National Minimum Wage
Find out what an anesthesiologist salary in Australia looks like, how it compares to award rates and the national minimum wage, and where it sits on the salary index.
Anaesthetists earn a median weekly salary of $8,293, giving a salary index of approximately 398, far above the national line of 100.
What Is an Anesthesiologist Salary in Australia?
In Australia, the role is called an anaesthetist – a medical specialist who provides anaesthesia for surgical, diagnostic and other procedures. The US spelling 'anesthesiologist' is sometimes used in international contexts, but local data and awards refer to anaesthetists. This article looks at where an anaesthetist salary sits relative to the national minimum wage and modern awards, using the latest public information.
The Salary Picture from Official Data
According to, the median weekly earnings for full-time non-managerial anaesthetists is $8,293 as of May 2025. That works out to an annualised figure of about $431,236. The median hourly rate is $218. These are pre-tax figures and include salary-sacrificed amounts.
On the Salary Index, where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 a year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026), an anaesthetist salary scores approximately 398. That is nearly four times the national benchmark. For context, the national minimum wage sits at index 48.2.
Awards vs the National Minimum Wage
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week. That is the legal floor for all employees not covered by an award or agreement. Most workers in Australia are covered by a modern award, which sets higher minimum rates for specific industries and occupations.
Anaesthetists are covered by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020 (MA000031). The Fair Work Commission maintains the Modern Awards Pay Database, which includes this award. From 1 October 2026, gender-based undervaluation changes increased minimum rates for health professional employees. However, the award classifications for medical practitioners (intern, registrar, etc.) are far below the actual earnings of specialist anaesthetists. For example, a medical practitioner at the highest award classification (specialist) might have a minimum rate around $100,000–$120,000 annualised, but the median anaesthetist earns more than four times that.
In practice, most anaesthetists are employed under enterprise agreements or individual contracts that reflect their specialist skills and market demand. The award serves as a safety net, not a realistic pay guide for this profession.
How the Salary Index Works
The how the index works page explains the calculation: take annual gross ordinary-time earnings, divide by the national line ($108,352), and multiply by 100. For anaesthetists: $431,236 ÷ $108,352 × 100 ≈ 398. This index helps compare any occupation against the average full-time worker.
Industry and State Context
Anaesthetists work almost exclusively in Health Care and Social Assistance. That industry has an overall index of 97.8 – slightly below the national average. But within that industry, medical specialists are outliers. State benchmarks also vary: for example, Western Australia has an index of 106.9, while Tasmania is 88.6. Anaesthetists in any state will far exceed those figures.
Superannuation and Tax
From 1 July 2026, the superannuation guarantee is 12%, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. For an anaesthetist earning $431,236, the employer super contribution would be capped at $32,499.60 (12% of $270,830). The remainder of salary above the cap does not attract super.
Resident tax rates for 2026–27 (excluding Medicare) are: nil up to $18,200; 15% from $18,201 to $45,000; 30% to $135,000; 37% to $190,000; 45% above $190,000. Medicare levy is 2%. A single anaesthetist earning $431,236 would pay approximately $156,000 in tax plus Medicare, leaving a take-home of about $275,000 before any deductions or HELP repayments.
Key Takeaways
- The term 'anesthesiologist salary' refers to the Australian occupation of anaesthetist.
- Median weekly earnings are $8,293, giving a salary index of 398.
- The national minimum wage is $1,004.90 per week (index 48.2).
- The Medical Practitioners Award sets minimums far below actual earnings.
- Most anaesthetists are paid under enterprise agreements or contracts, not award rates.
For more on how different occupations compare, see the industries page or browse pay guides for award rates. If you're an employer or employee in health care, understanding the gap between award minima and market rates is essential for fair remuneration.
Final Word
An anaesthetist salary in Australia is among the highest of any occupation, reflecting years of training, high responsibility, and strong demand. While the national minimum wage and modern awards provide a floor, specialist medical professionals operate well above that floor. The salary index puts this into perspective: nearly 400 compared to the national 100.
Questions people ask
Is an anaesthetist covered by a modern award?
Anaesthetists are covered by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020 (MA000031) as a minimum safety net. However, most specialist anaesthetists are employed under enterprise agreements or individual contracts that pay far above award rates. The award sets minimum rates for classifications such as medical practitioner (intern, registrar, etc.) but does not reflect typical specialist earnings.
How does an anaesthetist salary compare to the national minimum wage?
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week. The median weekly earnings for anaesthetists is $8,293 – more than eight times that amount. On the salary index, where 100 is the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings ($108,352 annualised), anaesthetists sit at about 398.