What is the difference between the National Minimum Wage and the Medical Practitioners Award for GPs?

The National Minimum Wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. However, GPs are covered by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020, which sets higher minimum rates. For example, a registrar at Pay point 1 earns at least $40.61 per hour under the award, while a GP in training under the NTCER may receive $50.53 per hour at GPT1 level. The award also includes penalty rates and allowances not found in the National Minimum Wage.

How is casual loading applied to GP salaries?

Under the Medical Practitioners Award, casual employees receive a 25% loading on top of the ordinary hourly rate. For a registrar at Pay point 1 ($40.61/hr), the casual rate would be $50.76 per hour. This loading compensates for entitlements like annual leave and sick leave that casuals do not receive. Our [casual loading](/topics/casual-loading) page explains how to calculate it, and the [timesheet](/) includes a checkbox to add the 25% loading automatically.

What superannuation rate applies to GP salaries in 2026?

The superannuation guarantee rate from 1 July 2026 is 12% of ordinary earnings, paid on top of the base salary. For a GP registrar earning $99,847 per year, the employer would contribute an additional $11,981.64 in super, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. Super is not deducted from the quoted hourly or annual rates; it is an extra benefit. See our [super and packaging](/topics/super-and-packaging) guide for more details.

GP Salary Australia: Award Rates, National Minimum Wage, and Registrar Pay in 2026

For a GP registrar at GPT1 level, the minimum hourly rate is $50.53 under the NTCER, assuming 38 hours per week, equating to an annual salary of $99,847.

Understanding GP Salary Australia in 2026

When researching GP salary Australia, it helps to know the different pay structures that apply. General practitioners may be employed under the Medical Practitioners Award 2020, the National Minimum Wage, or specific training agreements such as the National Terms and Conditions for the Employment of Registrars (NTCER). Each sets a minimum hourly rate, and actual pay can be higher depending on experience, location, and practice arrangements.

Our timesheet lets you convert an hourly rate to annual, fortnightly, and weekly figures using the standard 38-hour week. You can also add casual loading and see estimated tax and super. This article explains the key rates and how they fit together.

National Minimum Wage vs Award Rates

From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week for a 38-hour week. This is the legal floor for all employees not covered by an award or agreement. However, most GPs are covered by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020, which has higher minimums.

Under the award, a registrar (a doctor in specialist training) must be paid at least:

Pay point 1: $40.61 per hour, $80,248 per year
Pay point 2: $42.28 per hour, $83,539 per year
Pay point 3: $44.21 per hour, $87,349 per year
Pay point 4: $45.56 per hour, $90,018 per year

These rates apply to full-time employees working an average of 38 ordinary hours per week. Part-time and casual employees receive the same hourly base rate, with casuals getting an additional 25% loading.

GP Registrar Pay Under the NTCER

For GP registrars in training, the General Practice Supervision Australia (GPSA) publishes minimum rates under the NTCER. From Semester 2, 2026, these are:

GPT1/CGT1: $50.53 per hour, $99,847 per year
GPT2/CGT2: $56.71 per hour, $112,059 per year
PT3/CGT3 and above: $60.55 per hour, $119,647 per year

These rates are significantly higher than the award minima because they reflect the specific training arrangement and include a billing percentage component. The minimum billing percentage is 44.79% plus 12% super.

Casual Loading and Penalty Rates

If a GP is employed as a casual under the award, the hourly rate increases by 25%. For a registrar at Pay point 1, that means $50.76 per hour. Casual loading is paid instead of annual leave, personal leave, and other entitlements. Our casual loading page explains how to calculate it, and the timesheet includes a checkbox to add the 25% loading automatically.

Penalty rates also apply for work outside ordinary hours. For full-time and part-time employees, Monday to Friday evening work (6 pm to midnight) attracts 112.5% of the ordinary hourly rate, and night work (midnight to 8 am) attracts 125%. Saturday work is 150%, Sunday 175%, and public holidays 250%. Casuals get even higher penalty rates because the 25% loading is included in the base.

Superannuation and Tax

Superannuation is paid on top of the base salary. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a GP registrar earning $99,847, the employer contributes an extra $11,981.64 per year. This is not deducted from the quoted hourly rate; it is an additional benefit. See our super and packaging guide for more.

Tax for 2026–27 uses the resident scale: nil on the first $18,200, then 15% on income up to $45,000, 30% on income up to $135,000, 37% on income up to $190,000, and 45% above that. The Medicare levy is generally 2% of taxable income. Our take-home pay page provides estimates based on these rates.

Fortnightly and Weekly Pay

To convert an hourly rate to a fortnightly figure, multiply the hourly rate by 38 hours per week, then by 2. For a GPT1 registrar at $50.53 per hour:

Weekly: $50.53 × 38 = $1,920.14
Fortnightly: $1,920.14 × 2 = $3,840.28
Annual: $50.53 × 38 × 52 = $99,847.28

The same formula applies to any hourly rate. Use our hourly conversion page for quick calculations.

Comparing GP Salary Australia Figures

When you see a quoted GP salary, check whether it is under the award, the NTCER, or a practice agreement. The award provides a legal minimum, but many GPs earn more through billings or experience. The GPSA rates are a useful benchmark for registrars. For other medical practitioners, the award includes classifications for interns, residents, and senior specialists. A senior specialist at Pay point 1 earns $129,953 per year, or $53.07 per hour.

Remember that the National Minimum Wage is the absolute minimum. Any GP role should pay at least the award rate for the classification. Our minimum wage page has more details on the legal floor.

Using the Timesheet

The timesheet is the home page of this site. Enter your base hourly rate, and it will show your annual, fortnightly, and weekly pay based on 38 hours. Check the casual loading box if you are a casual employee. The results include estimated super and tax, but always consult a professional for your specific situation.

For a full list of award pay guides, visit our pay guides page. You can also browse reference tables for historical rates and average pay data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Disclaimer

Annual pay shown here is hourly rate × hours per week × 52. It assumes the same rate every week, no unpaid overtime, no penalty rates, no allowances, and no salary sacrifice. Super is estimated at 12% of ordinary earnings only, paid on top, and stops at the $270,830 maximum contribution base. Tax is the 2026–27 resident scale with the full tax-free threshold. Medicare uses the 2025–26 single reduction thresholds because the 2026–27 reduction thresholds were not confirmed here. HELP, the Medicare levy surcharge, and salary packaging are not deducted. This is an estimate, not a determination of your pay or tax.