Doctor salary Australia: how award rates compare to the national minimum wage

Doctor salary Australia: awards versus the national minimum wage

When people search for "doctor salary Australia", they often want to know how much a doctor earns compared to the average worker. The answer depends on the doctor's classification, experience, and whether they work in a public hospital, private practice, or under an enterprise agreement. But the starting point for any doctor employed under a modern award is the Medical Practitioners Award 2020 (MA000031), which sets minimum pay rates for interns, residents, registrars, career medical practitioners, specialists, and senior specialists.

How the salary index puts doctor pay in perspective

The Salary Index uses a simple benchmark: full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year (index 100). That figure comes from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026. The national minimum wage sits at index 48.2 ($52,255). Doctor salaries under the award range from index 61 (intern) to index 139 (senior specialist). That means even a first-year intern earns about 27% more than the minimum wage, while a senior specialist earns nearly three times as much.

Minimum rates under the Medical Practitioners Award 2020

The Fair Work Commission publishes the Modern Awards Pay Database, which includes the calculated minimum rates for each award. For doctors, the award classifications are detailed on the Fair Work Ombudsman's award page and in the pay guide summary. Here are the key annual salaries (full-time, 38 hours per week) effective from 1 July 2026:

• Intern: $66,432 (index 61.3)
• Resident medical practitioner – pay point 3: $74,083 (index 68.4)
• Registrar – pay point 4: $90,018 (index 83.1)
• Senior registrar – pay point 2: $109,010 (index 100.6) – just above the national line
• Career medical practitioner – pay point 4: $116,188 (index 107.2)
• Specialist: $121,535 (index 112.2)
• Senior specialist – pay point 5: $150,985 (index 139.4)

These are minimum rates. Many doctors – especially specialists and senior specialists – earn significantly more through enterprise agreements, private billing, or overtime. The award also includes penalty rates for weekend and public holiday work, which can boost a doctor's take-home pay considerably.

Penalty rates and allowances

Doctors often work outside ordinary hours. The award provides:

• Saturday and Sunday work: 150% of the ordinary hourly rate
• Public holidays: 250%
• Overtime (Monday to Saturday): 150% for the first 2 hours, then 200%
• Overtime on Sunday: 200%
• Recall to duty: a minimum payment per occasion plus hourly rate

Senior doctors may also receive a managerial allowance if they take on extra responsibilities. The allowance is calculated as a percentage of the standard rate (currently $129,953 for a senior specialist at pay point 1). Levels range from 5.56% ($7,225 per year) to 20.5% ($26,640 per year).

How doctor pay compares across states and industries

The states page shows that average earnings vary by location. For example, the ACT has an index of 109.9, while Tasmania is 88.6. Doctors in higher-earning states may negotiate above-award salaries, but the award minimums apply nationally. The health care and social assistance industry has an index of 97.8 – slightly below the national line. However, doctors under the award are above that industry average at most classification levels.

Superannuation and tax

From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% on earnings up to $270,830 per quarter. So a specialist earning $121,535 would receive an additional $14,584 in super. Income tax for 2026–27 (excluding Medicare) is progressive: nil up to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, 30% to $135,000, 37% to $190,000, and 45% above. The Medicare levy is 2%. Take-home pay estimates should factor in these deductions, as well as any HELP repayments or salary sacrifice arrangements.

Why the award matters for understanding doctor salary Australia

The Medical Practitioners Award is the safety net for employed doctors. It ensures that even the least experienced intern earns well above the national minimum wage. For more context on how award rates compare to the minimum wage, see our pay guides and how the index works. If you're looking at a specific doctor role, check the award classification and any applicable enterprise agreement – the actual salary may be higher than the minimum.

FAQs

What is the minimum salary for a doctor in Australia under the Medical Practitioners Award? The minimum annual salary for an intern (first-year doctor) is $66,432 as of 1 July 2026. For a specialist, it is $121,535, and for a senior specialist at the highest pay point it is $150,985. These are the minimum rates under the award; many doctors earn more through enterprise agreements or private practice.

How does a doctor's salary compare to the national minimum wage? The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, annualised to $52,255 (salary index 48.2). Even the lowest doctor classification (intern) at $66,432 has an index of 61.3, well above the minimum. Senior specialists can reach an index of 139.4, nearly three times the minimum wage.

Do doctors get penalty rates and allowances on top of their base salary? Yes. The Medical Practitioners Award provides penalty rates for Saturday, Sunday, and public holiday work (150%–250%), overtime (150%–200%), and recall-to-duty payments. Senior doctors may also receive managerial allowances ranging from $7,225 to $26,640 per year. These are paid in addition to the minimum annual salary.