Oncologist salary: how award rates compare with the national minimum wage

Oncologist salary and the award system

When you look up an **oncologist salary in Australia, you are really asking how a specialist medical practitioner is paid under the Medical Practitioners Award 2020. This award sets the minimum rates for doctors from intern to principal specialist. The national minimum wage is the floor for all employees, but awards like this one lift that floor much higher for skilled professions.

The Medical Practitioners Award 2020

The Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the Medical Practitioners Award [MA000031] which covers medical practitioners. Oncologists are classified as a Specialist or Senior Specialist depending on their experience and seniority. From 1 July 2026, the award minimum for a Specialist is $121,535 per year. That works out to $2,337.21 per week or $61.51 per hour. Senior Specialist pay point 1 is $129,953 ($2,499.10 per week), and it goes up to pay point 5 at $150,985 ($2,286.87 per week). A Principal Specialist is $154,062.

These are the minimums. They are not a quote for any one person. They are the lowest you can pay a full-time employee under the award. Most oncologists earn more than these rates, especially in private practice or with years of experience. The award also has a super guarantee of 12% from 1 July 2026, and a salary sacrifice or overtime.

How it compares with the national minimum wage

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, annualised $52,255 per year. That is index 48.2 on the Salary Index. An oncologist on the Specialist award minimum is $121,535 per year, index 112. That is more than double the minimum wage. Even the lowest classification in the award – an intern – is $66,432 (index 61.4). That is still above the national minimum.

The salary index for an oncologist

The how the index works uses the full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year as the line of 100. The award minimum for a Specialist gives index 112.2. For a Senior Specialist pay point 1 gives 119.9. These are the floors. Actual oncologists likely have a higher index above 120, but no public median is published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics for 6-digit occupations. The ABS only reports median weekly earnings for 4-digit occupations, not for medical oncologists.

Award rates versus market rates

The award is only the minimum. Many oncologists work in public hospitals under state health services, or in private practice. The award applies to all medical practitioners, but many are covered by enterprise agreements or individual contracts. The award rates are a good starting point. For example, a new Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians may start at a higher rate than the award. The salary index for a new specialist may be around $150,000 to $180,000 per year, which is index 130 to 166.

Industries and states

Oncologists work in health care and social assistance industry. The [industries page shows that industry index for health care is 97.8 (108,352 annualised). That is close to the national average. But for medical specialists, the index is higher. The state index for New South Wales is 101.2, Victoria 98, Victoria 98, Western Australia 106.9, Queensland 97.9. An oncologist in a state with a higher index like WA may earn above the national line.

Tax and take-home

For a resident tax 2026-27, the tax-free threshold to $18,200, then 15% to $45,000, then 30% to $135,000, then 37% to $190,000, then 45% above. Medicare levy 2%. For a salary of $150,000 per year, the take-home is about $105,000 after tax and Medicare. That is a guide. The salary index for that salary is 138.5.

Conclusion

An oncologist salary is well above the national minimum wage. The award sets a minimum of $121,535 for a Specialist. The actual salary is higher. The salary index for a typical oncologist is likely above 120. The public data is limited. The award is a floor.

For more on how awards compare to the national minimum, see pay guides and states.

FAQs

What is the award rate for an oncologist?

The Medical Practitioners Award 2020 sets minimum rates for a Specialist $121,121,535 per year. Senior Specialist pay point 1 $129,953. These are the minimums.

How does it compare to the national minimum wage?

The national minimum wage is $52,255 per year. An oncologist on award minimum is $121,535, more than double.

What is the salary index?

Using the award minimum for a Specialist, index 112.2. For a Senior Specialist pay point 1, index 119.9. Actual oncologists likely have a higher index.