Dermatologist salary Australia: what the pay data shows
A clear look at dermatologist salary Australia – award minima, salary index, super and tax. No official median exists, but specialist rates start at index 112.
No official median weekly earnings are published for dermatologists in Australia, but the Medical Practitioners Award sets a minimum annual salary of $121,535 for a specialist (salary index 112), with higher pay points up to $150,985 (index 139).
What is a dermatologist salary in Australia?
When you search for "dermatologist salary Australia", you are probably trying to get a realistic figure for what a skin specialist earns. The short answer is that no official median exists. The Australian Bureau of Statistics and Jobs and Skills Australia do not publish median weekly earnings for dermatologists (ANZSCO 253911) because the sample size is too small. That does not mean the pay is unknown – it means we have to rely on award minimums, industry benchmarks, and the salary index to give you a meaningful range.
How the salary index applies
The Salary Index uses a national line of 100, which equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week, annualised to $108,352 (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). Any occupation or award rate can be compared to this line. For example, the national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $52,255 annualised – an index of 48.2. A specialist dermatologist on the lowest award rate sits well above that.
Award minimums for dermatologists
Dermatologists are covered by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020 (MA000031). Under that award, a specialist (the classification that applies to a qualified dermatologist) has a minimum annual salary of $121,535 as of 1 July 2026. That works out to $2,337.21 per week or $61.51 per hour. On the salary index, that is 112 – 12% above the national line. The award has five pay points for specialists, rising to $150,985 (index 139) at pay point 5. These are legal minimums, not typical earnings. Most dermatologists in private practice earn far more, often billing patients directly rather than receiving a salary.
Actual earnings: why the uncertainty
The pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman show the award rates, but they do not reflect what a consultant dermatologist charges per consultation. Many dermatologists work in private rooms, set their own fees, and may earn $300,000 to $600,000 or more annually. However, that income is not a salary – it is practice revenue minus overheads. The salary index is designed for gross ordinary-time earnings, not business profit. For a dermatologist employed in a public hospital, the award minimum applies, but senior specialists often negotiate above-award contracts.
Super and tax considerations
Superannuation is a key part of total remuneration. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary-time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. For a dermatologist earning $200,000, the employer would contribute $24,000 in super. If the dermatologist is self-employed, they can make their own contributions. On the tax side, the 2026–27 resident rates start at nil for the first $18,200, then 15% up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, 37% up to $190,000, and 45% above that. A 2% Medicare levy applies on top. A dermatologist earning $250,000 would face a tax bill (including Medicare) of roughly $76,000, but this can be reduced through salary sacrifice or deductions.
State and industry context
Dermatologists work almost exclusively in Health Care and Social Assistance, an industry with a salary index of 97.8 – slightly below the national line. That industry average includes many lower-paid roles, so it is not a good guide for specialists. State indices give a regional flavour: the ACT has the highest index at 109.9, followed by Western Australia at 106.9. Dermatologists in those states may have higher earning potential, but the data does not break down by occupation. The states page provides more detail on regional benchmarks.
Key takeaways
- No official median or average exists for dermatologist salary Australia.
- The award minimum for a specialist is $121,535 (index 112), with higher pay points up to $150,985 (index 139).
- Actual earnings for private-practice dermatologists are typically much higher, but are not captured in salary surveys.
- Superannuation adds 12% on top of salary (capped at $270,830 contribution base).
- Tax rates are progressive; a dermatologist on $250,000 pays about 30% effective tax plus Medicare.
For a broader view of how pay compares across occupations, see the Salary Index. If you are negotiating a contract, the award rates are a starting point, but your experience and location will push the figure higher.
Questions people ask
What is the average dermatologist salary in Australia?
There is no published average or median figure for dermatologists in Australia. The Australian Bureau of Statistics and Jobs and Skills Australia do not report median weekly earnings for this occupation due to small numbers. The Medical Practitioners Award sets a minimum annual salary of $121,535 for a specialist (index 112), but most dermatologists in private practice earn considerably more. Earnings vary widely by location, experience, and whether the doctor works in public hospitals or runs a private clinic.
How does superannuation affect a dermatologist's pay?
From 1 July 2026, the superannuation guarantee is 12% of ordinary-time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. For a dermatologist earning $200,000, the employer would contribute $24,000 in super (12% of $200,000). If earnings exceed the base, super is capped. Super is paid on top of the salary, so total remuneration includes both the gross pay and the super contribution.
What tax does a dermatologist pay on their salary?
For the 2026–27 income year, resident tax rates (excluding Medicare) are: nil up to $18,200; 15% from $18,201 to $45,000; 30% from $45,001 to $135,000; 37% from $135,001 to $190,000; and 45% above $190,000. A flat 2% Medicare levy also applies. For a dermatologist earning $250,000, the tax (including Medicare) would be roughly $76,000, but this ignores HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, or the Medicare levy surcharge. Using the tax-free threshold is standard.