Plastic Surgeon Salary: State and Industry Differences in Australia

Plastic Surgeon Salary: What the Data Shows

When searching for a plastic surgeon salary in Australia, you quickly hit a wall: the Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish median weekly earnings for plastic and reconstructive surgeons. The occupation is too small—only 470 people are employed nationally, according to Jobs and Skills Australia. That doesn't mean we have nothing to go on. We can look at award minimums, state distribution, and industry context to build a picture.

Award Minimums Set a Floor

Plastic surgeons are covered by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020. As of July 2026, the minimum annual salary for a Specialist is $121,535. That's a weekly rate of $2,337.21 for full-time work. Senior specialists earn more depending on their pay point:

• Pay point 1: $129,953
• Pay point 2: $134,416
• Pay point 3: $139,016
• Pay point 4: $148,869
• Pay point 5: $150,985
• Principal Specialist: $154,062

The Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guide for the same award lists slightly higher weekly rates (likely including allowances or updated figures): a Specialist at $2,570.93 per week ($133,688 annualised) and a Senior Principal Specialist at $3,374.36 per week ($175,467 annualised).

These are minimums. Most plastic surgeons in private practice or working under hospital agreements earn well above award rates. But the award gives us a baseline to compare against the national line.

The Salary Index: Where Does It Sit?

Salary Index measures yearly gross pay divided by the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 (index 100). The national minimum wage sits at index 48.2 ($52,255).

Using award minimums:

• Specialist $121,535 → index 112.2
• Senior Pay Point 5 $150,985 → index 139.4
• Principal Specialist $154,062 → index 142.2

Even at the minimum, a plastic surgeon's salary is well above the national line. In practice, experienced surgeons likely sit between index 140 and 180 or higher, though no official figure is published.

State Differences in Employment

While we don't have earnings by state, we do know where plastic surgeons work. Victoria leads with 32.3% of all plastic surgeons, followed by New South Wales (27.2%) and Queensland (18.6%). South Australia has 9.5%, Western Australia 3.2%, and ACT 1.3%. The states page shows the national index for each state: ACT index 109.9, WA 106.9, NSW 101.2, VIC 98, QLD 97.9, SA 94.6.

If you're a plastic surgeon moving between states, your award minimum is the same, but your take-home pay will vary with state tax rates. The 2026–27 tax brackets: nil up to $18,200, then 15%, 30%, 37%, 45% plus 2% Medicare levy. A specialist on $150,000 would pay roughly $33,000 in tax plus Medicare, leaving about $117,000 take-home.

Industry Context

Plastic surgeons work exclusively in Health Care and Social Assistance. That industry's index is 97.8, slightly below the national average. But within that industry, medical specialists are among the highest-paid. The industries page shows mining at 154.7, professional services at 114.7, and retail at 75.9.

Why No Median?

The ABS suppresses median earnings for occupations with fewer than a certain number of respondents or high variability. Plastic and reconstructive surgeons fall into that category. The only official number is the award minimum. For a more precise plastic surgeon salary, you'd need to consult industry surveys or hospital agreements, which are not public.

What This Means for You

If you're researching a career as a plastic surgeon, the financial outlook is strong. Even at the award floor, you're earning more than double the national minimum wage. In practice, experienced surgeons in private practice often earn much more. The lack of published median data is a sign of a small, specialised profession where individual earnings vary widely.

For employers, the award rates are the legal minimum. Ensure you're paying at least the Specialist rate for a qualified plastic surgeon. The Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guides are updated regularly.

Summary

• No official median salary exists for plastic surgeons in Australia.
• Award minimums range from $121,535 to $154,062 (index 112 to 142).
• Victoria and NSW employ the most plastic surgeons.
• Actual earnings are likely much higher, especially in private practice.
• Use the salary index to compare any offer against the national line.

For more on how pay compares across roles, see topics or the methodology page.