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February 27, 2025
Doctors in Australia are among the highest-paid professionals, with salaries varying significantly based on experience, specialization, and location. A junior doctor’s salary starts at around AUD 80,000 per year, while experienced specialists can earn well over AUD 500,000 annually. Public hospital doctors earn structured salaries based on government pay scales, while private practitioners have more earning potential but face operational costs.
First-year doctors, also known as interns, begin their careers earning between AUD 78,000 and AUD 90,000 annually, depending on the state and hospital agreement. Registrars, who are in the middle of their training, earn between AUD 100,000 and AUD 160,000. Additional earnings come from overtime, night shifts, and on-call allowances, pushing total income higher.
GP salaries range widely depending on their working arrangements. Those employed in public health services earn between AUD 200,000 and AUD 300,000 per year. However, GPs in private practice typically work on a fee-for-service basis, earning up to AUD 400,000 annually depending on patient volume, consultation fees, and billing practices.
Specialists command the highest salaries in the medical profession. On average, specialists earn AUD 250,000 to AUD 500,000 per year, but earnings depend on their field. Neurosurgeons are at the top of the pay scale, earning between AUD 500,000 and AUD 800,000 annually due to the complexity of their work. Cardiologists earn between AUD 400,000 and AUD 700,000, particularly those in private practice. Orthopedic surgeons see salaries ranging from AUD 450,000 to AUD 700,000. Anesthetists typically earn between AUD 350,000 and AUD 600,000, depending on their workload.
Doctor salaries in Australia are not uniform across all states. New South Wales and Victoria tend to have the highest pay for public hospital doctors, while Tasmania and the Northern Territory offer lower base salaries but higher allowances and incentives to attract medical professionals. In rural and remote areas, additional financial incentives and relocation benefits are available to encourage doctors to work in underserved regions.
Doctors working in public hospitals receive set salaries based on agreements between medical boards and state governments. In contrast, private sector doctors, particularly specialists and GPs running their own practices, have significantly higher earning potential. However, private doctors must account for business expenses such as facility costs, staff salaries, and insurance.
Most doctors, especially those in hospitals, receive extra income through overtime, night shifts, and on-call work. These additional earnings can boost salaries by tens of thousands of dollars per year. Allowances such as relocation packages, retention bonuses, and rural incentives can also add substantial financial benefits.
Doctor salaries in Australia reflect a well-structured and high-paying medical profession. Junior doctors earn competitive starting salaries, while specialists see significant financial rewards based on experience and practice setting. Whether working in the public or private sector, doctors in Australia are well-compensated, with room for growth throughout their careers.
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