What is the average doctor salary in Australia?

There is no single figure because doctors’ pay depends on classification and experience. Under the Medical Practitioners Award 2020, minimum annual salaries range from $66,432 for an intern to over $129,953 for a senior specialist. Actual average earnings are often higher, but the award sets the legal floor. For a broader view, the ABS reported full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings of $2,083.70 in May 2026, which is about $108,352 per year.

How do I calculate annual salary from an hourly rate?

Multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work each week, then by 52. For a full-time doctor under the award, ordinary hours are 38 per week. For example, a registrar at pay point 1 earns $40.61 per hour: $40.61 × 38 × 52 = $80,253 per year (the award gives $1,543.23 per week, which matches). You can use [the timesheet](/) to do this calculation quickly.

What is the casual loading for doctors?

Casual employees under the Medical Practitioners Award receive a 25% loading on top of the ordinary hourly rate. For an intern, that means $33.62 × 1.25 = $42.03 per hour. This loading replaces entitlements like annual leave and sick leave. Superannuation is still paid on top of the loaded rate. See [casual loading](/topics/casual-loading) for more details.

Average Doctor Salary Australia: Award Rates, Hourly Conversion, and Annual Pay

Under the Medical Practitioners Award, a full-time intern earns $33.62 per hour, or about $66,432 per year based on 38 hours per week.

Understanding the Average Doctor Salary in Australia

When searching for the average doctor salary Australia, it is important to distinguish between minimum award rates and actual market earnings. The Fair Work Ombudsman’s Medical Practitioners Award 2020 (MA000031) sets the legal minimum pay for doctors in training, registrars, and senior practitioners. These rates are updated each July and apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026.

How the Award Sets Minimum Rates

The award classifies doctors into several groups: Intern, Resident Medical Officer (pay points 1–3), Registrar (pay points 1–4), Senior Registrar (pay points 1–2), and Senior Specialists. Each classification has a minimum annual salary, weekly rate, and hourly rate. For example:

Intern: $33.62 per hour, $1,277.54 per week, $66,432 per year
Resident – Pay point 1: $35.69 per hour, $1,356.33 per week
Registrar – Pay point 1: $40.61 per hour, $1,543.23 per week
Senior Registrar – Pay point 1: $53.07 per hour, $2,016.81 per week

These rates are for full-time employees working an average of 38 ordinary hours per week. Part-time employees are paid proportionally, and casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the ordinary hourly rate.

Converting Hourly to Annual

To convert any hourly rate to an annual salary, use the formula:

Annual gross pay = hourly rate × hours per week × 52

For a full-time doctor under the award, we assume 38 hours per week. So an intern earning $33.62 per hour would have:

$33.62 × 38 × 52 = $66,432 (matching the award)

If you work more or fewer hours, adjust the weekly hours accordingly. The hourly conversion tool on this site can help you run the numbers.

Fortnightly and Weekly Comparisons

Many doctors are paid fortnightly. To find your fortnightly gross pay, simply double the weekly rate. For a Resident at pay point 1:

Weekly: $1,356.33
Fortnightly: $2,712.66

This is useful for budgeting and comparing with the National Minimum Wage, which from 1 July 2026 is $1,004.90 per week ($26.44 per hour) for a 38-hour week. Award rates for doctors are significantly higher, reflecting the specialised training and responsibility.

Casual Loading and Superannuation

Casual employees under the award are paid an additional 25% loading. For an intern, the casual hourly rate is $33.62 × 1.25 = $42.03. This loading is paid instead of paid leave entitlements. Importantly, superannuation is paid on top of the loaded rate.

Superannuation Guarantee contributions are 12% of ordinary time earnings from 1 July 2026, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a full-time intern earning $66,432, the employer must contribute an extra $7,971.84 per year into a super fund. This is not deducted from the employee’s salary; it is paid in addition. See super and packaging for more on how super works.

Tax Considerations

Once you have your gross annual salary, you can estimate tax using the 2026–27 resident tax rates:

Nil tax 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 the Medicare levy of 2% (with possible reductions for low-income earners). For a Resident earning $70,529 per year (pay point 1), the tax estimate would be:

Tax on $70,529: $18,200 tax-free, then 15% on $26,800 ($4,020), then 30% on $25,529 ($7,658.70) = total $11,678.70
Medicare levy: $70,529 × 2% = $1,410.58
Net annual pay: $70,529 – $11,678.70 – $1,410.58 = $57,439.72

Use the take-home pay calculator for a more detailed estimate.

Why Award Rates Matter for the Average

While recruiter surveys often quote higher figures, the Fair Work Ombudsman’s award rates are the legal minimum. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings of $2,083.70 (May 2026), which is about $108,352 per year. This is higher than most doctor training grades but lower than senior specialist rates. The award ensures that even the lowest-paid doctor (an intern) earns well above the National Minimum Wage.

For the most accurate picture of your own pay, refer to the pay guides on the Fair Work Ombudsman website or use reference tables on this site to compare classifications.

Summary

The average doctor salary in Australia depends on your classification and experience. Under the Medical Practitioners Award, minimum hourly rates range from $33.62 for interns to over $53 for senior registrars. Using the formula hourly × 38 × 52 gives your annual gross pay. Remember to add 12% super on top, and consider tax and Medicare to estimate take-home pay. For casual work, add 25% loading. Always check the latest award rates, as they are updated annually.