Pediatrician Salary in Australia: Award Rates, Super, and Tax (2026)

What Is a Paediatrician Salary in Australia?

A paediatrician (also spelled pediatrician) is a medical specialist who diagnoses and treats diseases in children from birth through adolescence. In Australia, paediatricians are classified under ANZSCO 253321 and work mainly in hospitals, private practices, and community health settings. Understanding the pediatrician salary means looking at award minimums, typical earnings, and how they compare to the national benchmark.

Award Minimum Rates for Paediatricians

The Medical Practitioners Award 2020 (MA000031) sets the legal minimum pay for doctors, including paediatricians. As of 1 July 2026, the minimum annual salary for a Specialist (which covers most paediatricians) is $121,535. For a Specialist (other than GP) — a category that includes many hospital-based paediatricians — there are five pay points:

• Pay point 1: $129,953
• Pay point 2: $134,416
• Pay point 3: $139,016
• Pay point 4: $148,869
• Pay point 5: $150,985

These rates are for full-time employees working 38 ordinary hours per week. The award also provides for higher duties, on-call allowances, and penalty rates. The Fair Work Commission’s Modern Awards Pay Database confirms these figures and incorporates the 4.75% increase from the 2026 Annual Wage Review.

Where Does a Paediatrician Salary Sit on the Earnings Index?

The Salary Index uses a benchmark of 100 for full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, which is $108,352 per year (based on ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). The award minimum for a Specialist paediatrician ($121,535) gives an index of 112 — 12% above the national line. At the top award pay point ($150,985), the index rises to 139. This means even the minimum award salary for a paediatrician is well above the average Australian full-time worker.

For comparison, the national minimum wage (index 48.2) is $52,255 per year, and the average for health care and social assistance (index 97.8) is about $105,970. Paediatricians clearly earn a premium for their specialist training and responsibility.

Actual Earnings: What the Data Shows

Jobs and Skills Australia reports that there are about 2,500 paediatricians employed in Australia, with a median age of 41 and 67% female. The average full-time hours are 46 per week — slightly above the national average of 44 hours. However, the median weekly earnings for paediatricians are not available from the ABS due to small sample sizes. This means official data on what most paediatricians actually earn is not published. In practice, many paediatricians in public hospitals are covered by enterprise agreements that pay above the award, and those in private practice can earn significantly more depending on their patient load and billing arrangements.

Superannuation on a Paediatrician Salary

From 1 July 2026, the superannuation guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a paediatrician on the award minimum of $121,535, the employer must contribute at least $14,584 per year to super. For those earning $150,985, the super contribution would be about $18,118. These contributions are in addition to the salary and are taxed at 15% within the super fund (up to certain caps).

Tax on a Paediatrician Salary

Using the 2026–27 resident tax rates (excluding Medicare), a paediatrician earning $121,535 would pay:

• $0 on first $18,200
• 15% on $18,201–$45,000 = $4,020
• 30% on $45,001–$135,000 = $27,150 (on $90,500 of that bracket)
• Total tax before offsets: $31,170
• Plus 2% Medicare levy: $2,431
• Estimated take-home pay after tax and Medicare: $87,934 (excluding super and any deductions).

For a paediatrician at the top award pay point of $150,985, the tax would be higher, with part of the income falling into the 37% bracket. The take-home estimate would be around $105,000 after tax and Medicare.

State and Industry Context

Paediatricians work almost exclusively in Health Care and Social Assistance, which has an average earnings index of 97.8 — slightly below the national line. However, paediatricians themselves earn above that industry average. State-based indices can also affect comparisons: for example, the ACT has an index of 109.9 (highest), while Tasmania is 88.6. A paediatrician in Canberra might have a higher cost of living but also potentially higher pay under local enterprise agreements.

For more on how salaries compare across states, see our states page. To understand how the index is calculated, visit how the index works.

Key Takeaways

• The pediatrician salary in Australia starts at $121,535 under the award (index 112).
• Actual earnings are often higher, but official medians are not published.
• Superannuation at 12% adds $14,584–$18,118 to total remuneration.
• After tax and Medicare, take-home pay for a specialist on the award minimum is roughly $88,000.
• For a broader view of medical practitioner pay, see our pay guides.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum pediatrician salary in Australia under the award? Under the Medical Practitioners Award 2020, the minimum annual salary for a Specialist paediatrician is $121,535 as of 1 July 2026. For a Specialist (other than GP) there are five pay points ranging from $129,953 to $150,985. These rates apply to full-time employees working 38 ordinary hours per week.

How does a pediatrician salary compare to the national average earnings index? The national earnings index is set at 100, representing full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year. The award minimum for a Specialist paediatrician ($121,535) gives an index of 112, meaning it is 12% above the national line. Higher award pay points range from index 120 to 139. Actual earnings may be higher.

What tax and superannuation apply to a pediatrician salary? For 2026–27, 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. Superannuation guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a Specialist on $121,535, the employer super contribution would be about $14,584.