Anesthetist Salary Australia: Where It Sits on the National Pay Index
Find out how an anesthetist salary in Australia compares to the national line using the Salary Index, with data from the ABS and Fair Work Ombudsman.
The median full-time anaesthetist salary in Australia is around $8,293 per week, giving a Salary Index of approximately 398 – nearly four times the national benchmark.
What is an anesthetist salary in Australia?
When you search for "anesthetist salary australia", you are likely trying to understand how much these medical specialists earn and where that figure sits against the average Australian wage. Anaesthetists (the correct spelling) are highly trained doctors who administer anaesthesia and manage pain during surgery. Their pay reflects years of study, high responsibility, and strong demand.
This article uses the latest public data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and the Fair Work Ombudsman to give you a clear picture. We explain the numbers using the Salary Index, which sets the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings at 100 (currently $108,352 per year).
What the data says
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, there are about 7,400 anaesthetists employed in Australia. The median weekly earnings for full-time non-managerial anaesthetists is $8,293, and the median hourly rate is $218. These figures come from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025.
To put that into perspective: if you multiply $8,293 by 52 weeks, you get an annual salary of roughly $431,236. That is far above the national line of $108,352. On the Salary Index, this occupation scores about 398 – nearly four times the average worker's earnings.
How it compares on the salary index
The Salary Index works by dividing an occupation's typical yearly gross earnings by the national benchmark ($108,352) and multiplying by 100. For anaesthetists:
- Median weekly: $8,293
- Annualised: $8,293 × 52 = $431,236
- Index: ($431,236 ÷ $108,352) × 100 ≈ 398
This index value places anaesthetists among the highest-paid occupations in Australia. For comparison, the mining industry index is 154.7, professional services is 114.7, and health care and social assistance overall is 97.8. Anaesthetists are in a league of their own.
Award rates for specialists
While the median is very high, it is important to know the legal minimum. Anaesthetists are covered by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020 (MA000031). The pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman show the following minimum weekly rates for specialists as of July 2026:
- Specialist: $2,570.93
- Senior specialist pay point 1: $2,749.01
- Senior specialist pay point 4: $3,149.16
- Principal specialist: $3,259.00
- Senior principal specialist: $3,374.36
These award rates are much lower than the median, which tells us that most anaesthetists earn well above the minimum through enterprise agreements, private practice, or overtime. The award also sets penalty rates for weekends and public holidays, and overtime provisions.
State variations
Where you work affects your pay. The states page on Salary Index shows how average earnings differ across Australia. For anaesthetists, the distribution of employment is:
- New South Wales: 31.5%
- Victoria: (next largest)
- Queensland: (similar share)
- Western Australia: (higher index due to mining)
While state-level median earnings for anaesthetists are not published, the overall state indices give a clue. For example, Western Australia has an index of 106.9, meaning workers there earn about 7% above the national average. Anaesthetists in the ACT (index 109.9) also tend to earn more. In contrast, Tasmania (index 88.6) is below the national line.
Take-home pay estimate
Gross earnings of $431,236 per year attract significant tax. Using 2026–27 resident rates (excluding Medicare levy):
- $0–$18,200: nil
- $18,201–$45,000: 15%
- $45,001–$135,000: 30%
- $135,001–$190,000: 37%
- $190,001+: 45%
On $431,236, the tax would be roughly $148,000 plus 45% on the amount above $190,000. Adding the 2% Medicare levy, total tax around $170,000. Take-home would be about $261,000 per year, or $5,019 per week. That is still well above the national average after-tax income.
Remember, this is a rough estimate. It ignores HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, and the Medicare levy surcharge. Superannuation guarantee is 12% from July 2026, but that is on top of salary.
Where to find more
If you want to compare other medical roles or industries, visit the industries page. For a full explanation of how the index works, see how the index works. And for award rates and pay guides, check our pay guides section.
Final thoughts
An anesthetist salary in Australia is among the highest in the country. The median full-time earnings sit at an index of 398 on the Salary Index, nearly four times the national line. While award minimums are much lower, most anaesthetists earn far more due to their specialised skills and demand. If you are considering this career path, know that the financial reward is substantial, but it comes with years of training and responsibility.
Questions people ask
What is the average anesthetist salary in Australia?
The median full-time weekly earnings for anaesthetists in Australia is $8,293, according to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025). This annualises to about $431,236 per year, placing the occupation on a Salary Index of 398 on the national line of $108,352.
How does an anesthetist salary compare to the national minimum wage?
The national minimum wage from July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week (index 48.2). An anaesthetist's median earnings are roughly eight times that. Even the award minimum for a specialist ($2,570.93/week) is more than double the national minimum.
Does the Medical Practitioners Award apply to anesthetists?
Yes. Anaesthetists are covered by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020 (MA000031). The award sets minimum weekly rates for specialists, senior specialists, and principal specialists. However, many anaesthetists earn above these rates through enterprise agreements or private practice.