What is the minimum wage for a paediatrician in Australia?

Paediatricians are covered by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020. From 1 July 2026, the minimum hourly rate for a medical practitioner (Level 1) is approximately $45 per hour, but actual rates vary by classification and experience. The National Minimum Wage of $26.44 per hour applies only to award/agreement-free employees, so paediatricians under the award receive higher minimums. Check the Fair Work Ombudsman pay guides for the exact rate.

How does casual loading affect a paediatrician's pay?

If a paediatrician is employed as a casual, they are entitled to a 25% loading on top of the base hourly rate. For example, if the base rate is $100 per hour, the casual rate would be $125 per hour. This loading compensates for not receiving paid leave. The timesheet tool has a checkbox to add casual loading automatically.

What is the super guarantee for a paediatrician?

The super guarantee is 12% of ordinary earnings, paid on top of your salary. For a paediatrician earning $197,600 annually, the super contribution would be $23,712 per year, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. Super is not deducted from your pay; it is an additional payment by your employer.

Paediatrician Salary: How to Convert Your Hourly Rate to Annual Pay in Australia

A paediatrician earning $100 per hour working 38 hours a week would have an annual gross salary of $197,600 before tax and super.

Understanding the Hourly to Annual Conversion

When you have an hourly rate or a salary offer, converting between the two helps you compare jobs and plan your budget. The standard formula is:

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

This article assumes a 38-hour week, which is the ordinary full-time hours used for the National Minimum Wage and most modern awards. For example, a paediatrician earning $100 per hour would have an annual gross salary of $100 × 38 × 52 = $197,600. If you work different hours, adjust the calculation accordingly.

Knowing your fortnightly pay is also useful. Simply multiply your weekly pay by 2: $100 per hour × 38 hours = $3,800 per week, so $7,600 per fortnight before tax and super.

The National Minimum Wage and Award Rates

From 1 July 2026, the National Minimum Wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for 38 hours. This is the minimum for award/agreement-free employees. However, most employees are covered by a modern award, which sets higher minimum rates.

Paediatricians are typically covered by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020. The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes pay guides for each award, including minimum hourly rates for different classifications. The award minimum for a medical practitioner (Level 1) is around $45 per hour, but experienced specialists earn significantly more. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database provides detailed classification and penalty rate data.

It’s important to check your specific award or enterprise agreement. If you are award/agreement-free, the National Minimum Wage applies. For casual employees, a 25% loading is added on top of the base rate, bringing the casual minimum to $33.05 per hour.

Casual Loading and Superannuation

Casual loading is an extra 25% paid instead of entitlements like annual leave and sick leave. If you are a casual paediatrician, your hourly rate should be the base rate plus 25%. The the timesheet tool includes a checkbox to add casual loading automatically – never type a rate that already includes the loading.

Superannuation is separate. The super guarantee is 12% of your ordinary earnings, paid by your employer on top of your salary. For a $197,600 salary, that’s $23,712 per year, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. Super is not deducted from your pay; it’s an additional cost for the employer. Learn more about super and packaging.

Tax Considerations

Your annual gross pay is not what you take home. The Australian Taxation Office applies progressive tax rates for 2026–27:

Nil 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 paediatrician earning $197,600, the estimated tax (including Medicare) would be around $52,000, leaving a take-home pay of about $145,600. This is an estimate – your actual tax depends on deductions, HELP repayments, and other factors. Use the take-home pay guide for more details.

Paediatrician Salary in Context

Paediatricians are highly skilled medical specialists. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings were $2,083.70 in May 2026. A paediatrician’s salary often exceeds this average due to specialist training and demand. While award minimums provide a floor, many paediatricians negotiate higher rates or work under enterprise agreements.

When comparing job offers, always convert to an annual figure using the formula above. Remember that penalty rates, overtime, and allowances can increase your pay, but they are not included in this basic calculation. For a full picture, refer to the minimum wage page or the average pay overview.

Using the Timesheet Tool

The the timesheet on this site lets you enter your base hourly rate and see the annual, monthly, fortnightly, and weekly equivalents. Check the casual loading box if applicable. The tool also estimates super and tax using the latest rates. It’s a quick way to understand your potential earnings without manual calculation.

Remember: this is an estimate. Your actual pay may differ due to unpaid overtime, penalty rates, allowances, or salary sacrifice. Always consult your award or agreement and speak with a payroll professional for precise figures.