GP Salary Australia: Gross Pay, Super, and Tax in 2026
Understand GP salary Australia with award rates, median earnings, super, and tax. See how the salary index compares to the national line.
The median GP salary in Australia sits around index 117, above the national line of 100, based on full-time weekly earnings of $2,446.
What does "GP salary Australia" mean?
When people search for "gp salary australia", they usually want to know how much a general practitioner earns in Australia, including base pay, superannuation, and tax. This article explains the key figures from official sources: the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Fair Work Commission, and Jobs and Skills Australia. We also show how GP pay compares to the national salary index, where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings.
Award minimums for employed GPs
Most employed GPs in Australia are covered by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020 (MA000031). The award sets minimum rates for different classifications. For a Specialist (a common classification for GPs), the Fair Work Commission award page lists a minimum annual salary of $121,535, or $2,337.21 per week. However, the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide (effective 1 July 2026) shows a higher weekly rate of $2,570.93 for Specialists. This discrepancy may be due to the pay guide including all-purpose allowances or penalty rates. The official award text takes precedence.
For career medical practitioners (another classification that may apply to GPs), the award minimums range from $2,037.52 per week (pay point 1) to $2,532.77 per week (pay point 4). Senior specialists can earn up to $3,193.92 per week at pay point 5. These figures are before tax and super.
Median GP earnings from Jobs and Skills Australia
A more realistic picture of GP pay comes from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, via Jobs and Skills Australia. According to the [Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) occupation profile for General Practitioners and Resident Medical Officers, the median full-time weekly earnings are $2,446. That annualises to about $127,192 (52 weeks). The median hourly earnings are $60. This is for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. It's a market benchmark, not a minimum.
How GP salary compares to the national index
The salary index is based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings (May 2026): full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week, annualised to $108,352. That's index 100. The median GP salary of $127,192 gives an index of about 117. So GPs earn roughly 17% above the national line. Award minimums for Specialists start at index 112, while senior specialists can reach index 150 or higher.
Superannuation and tax considerations
From 1 July 2026, the superannuation guarantee is 12% of gross salary, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a GP earning $127,192, that's an extra $15,263 per year in super, paid by the employer on top of salary. The super is not included in the salary index, which uses gross ordinary-time earnings.
For tax, the 2026-27 resident rates apply: nil on the first $18,200, then 15% up to $45,000, 30% up to $135,000, 37% up to $190,000, and 45% above. Plus a 2% Medicare levy. A GP earning $127,192 would pay about $30,000 in tax and Medicare levy, leaving a take-home of around $97,000 per year (excluding super). This is a rough estimate; individual circumstances vary.
State and industry context
GP salaries can vary by state. The index for health care and social assistance (the industry that includes GPs) is 97.8, slightly below the national line. But GPs themselves earn above that industry average. State indexes range from 88.6 in Tasmania to 109.9 in the ACT. GPs in remote areas may earn more due to incentives.
Key takeaways
- The median GP salary in Australia is about $127,192 per year (index 117).
- Award minimums start at $121,535 for Specialists, but many GPs earn more.
- Superannuation adds 12% on top, and tax takes about 24% of gross pay for a median earner.
- For more details, see our pay guides and how the index works. You can also compare by states or industries.
Sources
- Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide for Medical Practitioners Award (effective 1 July 2026).
- Fair Work Commission consolidated award MA000031 (updated to 1 July 2026).
- Jobs and Skills Australia occupation profile for General Practitioners and Resident Medical Practitioners.
- Australian Bureau of Statistics, Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026.
Disclaimer
The figures in this article are from public sources and are accurate as of the search date. They are not financial advice. Always check the latest award or consult a professional.
Questions people ask
What is the minimum salary for a GP in Australia under the award?
Under the Medical Practitioners Award 2020, the minimum annual salary for a Specialist (which includes many GPs) is $121,535 as per the Fair Work Commission award page, or $2,337.21 per week. However, the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide shows a higher rate of $2,570.93 per week for Specialists. Actual pay often exceeds these minimums, with the median GP earning $2,446 per week according to Jobs and Skills Australia.
How does GP salary compare to the national average?
The national salary index is set at 100, based on full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year. The median GP salary of $127,192 per year gives an index of about 117, meaning GPs earn roughly 17% above the national line. Award minimums for Specialists start at index 112, while senior specialists can reach index 150 or higher.
What is the take-home pay for a GP after tax and super?
For a GP earning the median $127,192 per year, gross weekly pay is $2,446. After 12% superannuation ($293.52 per week) and estimated tax (using 2026-27 rates plus 2% Medicare levy), the weekly take-home pay is approximately $1,650, assuming no other deductions. This is a rough estimate; actual take-home depends on individual circumstances.