GP Salary in Australia: Gross Pay, Super, and Tax Explained

What is a GP salary in Australia?

A GP salary in Australia is the gross pay a general practitioner earns before tax and superannuation. It can come from a mix of Medicare billings, private fees, and sometimes a base salary from a practice. Because GPs often work as independent contractors or under enterprise agreements, their pay varies more than many other professions. This guide looks at GP salary through the lens of gross pay, super, and tax, using the Salary Index to show where it sits against the national line.

How the salary index applies to GP pay

The Salary Index sets 100 as full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, which from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings (May 2026) is $2,083.70 per week, annualised to $108,352. A GP earning the median of $2,446 per week has an index of about 117, meaning they earn 17% above the national benchmark. But that median covers both GPs and resident medical officers, so individual results differ. For a GP on the award minimum for a career medical practitioner (pay point 1), the weekly rate is $2,037.52, giving an index of 98 – slightly below the national line. A specialist on the award minimum earns $2,570.93 per week, index 123.

Gross pay: award rates and market rates

The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the Medical Practitioners Award, which sets minimum rates for doctors in training, career medical practitioners, community medical practitioners, and specialists. For a GP who is classified as a career medical practitioner, the weekly rates from 1 July 2026 range from $2,037.52 (pay point 1) to $2,532.77 (pay point 4). A senior career medical practitioner earns up to $2,532.77 per week. These are minimums; many GPs earn more through private billing or negotiated contracts.

Jobs and Skills Australia reports that the median full-time weekly earnings for General Practitioners and Resident Medical Officers is $2,446, with median hourly earnings of $60. This is based on the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025. The median age of GPs is 40, and 51% are female. About 77% work full-time, averaging 45 hours per week.

Superannuation on GP salary

Super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, applied to ordinary time earnings up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a GP earning $127,192, the employer must contribute $15,263 into super. This is on top of gross salary and is not counted in the salary index. If a GP is self-employed, they may need to arrange their own super contributions. The super guarantee rate increased from 11% in 2025-26, so total remuneration for a GP on the median is now $142,455.

Tax on GP income

A GP's gross salary is taxed at resident rates for 2026-27: nil on the first $18,200, 15% on $18,201-$45,000, 30% on $45,001-$135,000, 37% on $135,001-$190,000, and 45% above $190,000. Plus a 2% Medicare levy. A GP earning $127,192 would pay about $29,467 in income tax and $2,544 in Medicare levy, leaving take-home of roughly $95,181. This ignores HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, or the Medicare levy surcharge. The tax-free threshold is assumed; if a GP has multiple jobs or a spouse, the threshold may be claimed only once.

How GP salary compares by state and industry

The salary index varies by state. For example, the ACT has an index of 109.9 (annualised $119,090), while Tasmania is 88.6 ($96,008). A GP working in a high-cost area like Sydney may earn more, but the index for NSW is 101.2. The health care and social assistance industry index is 97.8, slightly below the national line. GPs in private practice may earn above this, while those in public hospitals or community health centres may be closer to award rates. See states and industries for more detail.

Example: GP salary breakdown

Consider a GP earning the median $127,192 per year. Gross weekly pay is $2,446. After super (12% = $15,263), total remuneration is $142,455. After tax and Medicare levy, take-home is about $95,181. If the same GP were on the award minimum for a career medical practitioner pay point 1 ($105,951), take-home would be about $80,500. The difference shows how much market rates can exceed award floors.

Where to find more information

The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides for the Medical Practitioners Award. The Fair Work Commission maintains the Modern Awards Pay Database with classification rates. For median earnings, the ABS and Jobs and Skills Australia are the best sources. The Australian Taxation Office publishes tax rates and superannuation rules. For a deeper look at how the index is calculated, see how the index works.

FAQs

What is the average GP salary in Australia?

According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time weekly earnings for General Practitioners and Resident Medical Officers is $2,446, which annualises to about $127,192 before tax. However, salaries vary by experience, location, and whether the GP works in a bulk-billing or private practice. Minimum award rates for career medical practitioners range from $2,037.52 to $2,532.77 per week.

How does superannuation affect a GP's total remuneration?

Superannuation is paid on top of gross salary. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of ordinary time earnings, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. So a GP earning $127,192 would receive an additional $15,263 in super, making total remuneration $142,455. Super is not included in the salary index calculation which uses gross ordinary-time earnings.

What tax does a GP pay on their salary?

For the 2026-27 financial year, resident tax rates are: nil on first $18,200, 15% on $18,201-$45,000, 30% on $45,001-$135,000, 37% on $135,001-$190,000, and 45% above $190,000. Plus a 2% Medicare levy. A GP earning $127,192 would pay approximately $29,467 in tax plus $2,544 Medicare levy, leaving a take-home of about $95,181. This ignores HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, or the Medicare levy surcharge.