General practitioner salary: award rates, median earnings, and the salary index

What is a general practitioner salary?

When people ask about a general practitioner salary, they usually want to know what a GP earns in Australia before tax and super. The answer depends on experience, location, and whether the GP works in a private practice, a hospital, or a community health centre. The Medical Practitioners Award 2020 sets minimum rates, but many GPs earn well above those floors. This article uses the latest public data from the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to explain where a GP’s pay sits against the national line.

The salary index used here compares annual gross ordinary-time earnings to the national benchmark of $108,352 (index 100). A figure above 100 means the occupation earns more than the average full-time adult worker.

Award minimums for general practitioners

The Medical Practitioners Award 2020 (MA000031) covers most employed doctors, including GPs. The award classifies doctors by role and experience. For a career medical practitioner – a common classification for GPs working in hospitals or clinics – the minimum annual salary from 1 July 2026 ranges from $105,951 at pay point 1 to $131,704 at senior career medical practitioner pay point 4. A specialist under the award has a minimum of $121,535.

These award rates are the legal minimum. Many GPs are covered by enterprise agreements or individual contracts that pay more. The award also includes penalty rates for overtime, weekend work, and recall to duty. For example, a career medical practitioner on pay point 1 has an hourly rate of $53.62 for ordinary hours, but that rises to $80.43 on Saturdays and $134.05 on Sundays.

It is important to note that the award minimums are before tax and super. The superannuation guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, and employers must contribute that on top of the salary.

Median earnings and the salary index

For a more realistic picture of what a GP actually earns, we turn to the Australian Bureau of Statistics data compiled by Jobs and Skills Australia. The median full-time weekly earnings for General Practitioners and Resident Medical Officers is $2,446. That annualises to about $127,192 (52 weeks). Against the national line of $108,352, the salary index is roughly 117.4.

This means a typical GP earns about 17% more than the average full-time worker. The median hourly rate is $60, compared to the national median of $47. About 77% of GPs work full-time, averaging 45 hours per week.

Keep in mind that this median figure is for full-time non-managerial employees. It excludes part-time GPs and those in management roles. Also, the salary index uses ordinary-time earnings, not total earnings including overtime. But for a quick benchmark, the index of 117 tells you that GP pay sits comfortably above the national average.

Gross pay, superannuation, and tax

A GP’s gross salary is the amount before tax and super. Using the median of $127,192, here is how the numbers break down:

• Superannuation: The employer must contribute 12% on top of the salary, which is $15,263 per year. This goes into a super fund and is not part of take-home pay.
• Income tax (2026–27): Using the resident tax rates with the tax-free threshold, the estimated tax is about $30,800. The Medicare levy adds another 2% ($2,544), bringing total tax to roughly $33,344.
• Take-home pay: After tax and Medicare levy, the GP would take home about $93,848 per year, or $7,821 per month.

These figures ignore HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, the Medicare levy reduction, and the Medicare levy surcharge. Actual take-home pay will vary.

State and industry context

Where a GP works also affects pay. The salary index varies by state: the ACT has the highest index at 109.9, while Tasmania is lowest at 88.6. GPs in the ACT or NSW may earn more than those in Tasmania, though the data is for all occupations, not specifically doctors.

The health care and social assistance industry has an overall index of 97.8, meaning the average worker in that industry earns slightly below the national line. But GPs are above that average, as the median index of 117 shows.

For more detail on how pay compares across states and industries, see the states and industries pages on Salary Index.

Where to find current pay rates

The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides for the Medical Practitioners Award. These guides list the latest minimum rates, allowances, and penalty rates. The award is updated each year, usually from 1 July. The rates in this article are from the 2026 update.

If you are an employer or employee, always check the official award or use the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool for a personalised calculation.

Summary

A general practitioner salary in Australia typically ranges from the award minimum of around $106,000 to a median of about $127,000. The salary index of 117 shows that GPs earn well above the national average. Superannuation at 12% and income tax reduce the take-home amount, but the gross figure is a strong benchmark for comparing pay across occupations.

For a deeper look at how the index works, visit how the index works. You can also explore topics related to medical practitioner pay.