What a Doctor Salary Looks Like in Australia in 2026-27

Doctor Salary Under the Medical Practitioners Award

A doctor salary in Australia is primarily governed by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020 (MA000031), which sets minimum rates for doctors in training, career medical practitioners, and specialists. These rates are updated annually following the Fair Work Commission's wage review. From 1 July 2026, award rates increased by 4.75%, reflecting the national minimum wage adjustment.

How the Salary Index Applies to Doctors

The Salary Index compares a worker's annualised ordinary-time earnings to the national line of $108,352 (index 100). For doctors, the award minimums span a wide range:

• Intern: $66,432 (index 61.3)
• Resident pay point 1: $70,529 (index 65.1)
• Registrar pay point 1: $80,248 (index 74.1)
• Senior registrar pay point 1: $104,874 (index 96.8)
• Career medical practitioner pay point 1: $105,951 (index 97.8)
• Senior career medical practitioner pay point 4: $131,704 (index 121.6)
• Specialist: $121,535 (index 112.2)
• Senior specialist pay point 5: $150,985 (index 139.4)

These are minimums; many doctors earn above award through enterprise agreements, private practice, or additional allowances. The index shows that even at the minimum, a specialist sits above the national average, while interns and junior residents are below it.

Gross Pay, Penalties, and Allowances

A doctor salary is not just the base rate. The award includes penalty rates for work on Saturdays (150% of ordinary), Sundays and public holidays (250%), and overtime. For example, an intern's ordinary hourly rate is $33.62, but Saturday work pays $50.43 per hour. Overtime on a Sunday pays $67.24 per hour. These loadings can substantially increase gross earnings for hospital doctors working irregular shifts.

Senior doctors may also receive managerial allowances. The award provides three levels: Level 1 ($7,225 per annum), Level 2 ($16,920), and Level 3 ($26,640). These are paid on top of the base salary for doctors who take on management responsibilities.

Superannuation on Doctor Salaries

From 1 July 2026, the superannuation guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. For a doctor earning $121,535, that means an additional $14,584 in super contributions each year, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. Super is paid by the employer and is not deducted from the gross salary. It's a key part of total remuneration, especially for doctors who may have higher earnings later in their career.

Tax and Take-Home Pay

Doctor salaries are subject to progressive income tax and the Medicare levy. For the 2026-27 year, tax rates are:

• Nil on the first $18,200
• 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
• 30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
• 37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
• 45% on income above $190,000

Plus a flat 2% Medicare levy. A registrar on $80,248 would pay roughly $16,600 in tax and $1,605 in Medicare levy, leaving about $62,043 after tax. A specialist on $121,535 would pay about $31,200 tax and $2,431 Medicare levy, taking home around $87,904. These estimates assume the tax-free threshold and exclude HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, or the Medicare levy surcharge.

Comparing Doctor Pay Across Industries and States

The health care and social assistance industry has a salary index of 97.8, slightly below the national average. However, doctor salaries within that industry vary widely by state. The states page shows that the ACT has the highest index at 109.9, while Tasmania is lowest at 88.6. Doctors in high-cost areas like Sydney or Canberra may earn more through enterprise agreements or market allowances.

For context, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour (index 48.2), while a doctor intern earns $33.62 per hour (index 61.3). Even the lowest doctor pay point is well above the minimum wage, reflecting the training and responsibility required.

Where to Find Current Doctor Salary Information

The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides for the Medical Practitioners Award, including full tables of rates and allowances. The Fair Work Commission's Modern Awards Pay Database also provides downloadable data. These are the authoritative sources for minimum doctor salaries in Australia.

For a broader view of how doctor pay compares to other professions, the industries page shows that mining leads at index 154.7, while retail sits at 75.9. Doctors in the health industry sit near the middle, but senior specialists can exceed many professional roles.

Key Takeaways on Doctor Salary

• Minimum doctor salaries range from $66,432 (intern) to $150,985 (senior specialist pay point 5).
• Penalty rates and allowances can significantly boost gross pay.
• Superannuation at 12% adds to total remuneration.
• Tax and Medicare levy reduce take-home pay, but doctors generally earn well above the national average.
• Actual salaries often exceed award minimums, especially for experienced specialists and those in private practice.

Understanding a doctor salary means looking beyond the base rate to penalties, super, and tax. The award provides a solid floor, but many doctors earn more, reflecting the value of their skills and the demands of the profession.