Psychiatrist salary: where it sits on the Australian salary index
Psychiatrist salary data is limited, but award minimums and industry benchmarks show it sits well above the national average. See how the index compares.
Median earnings for psychiatrists are not published due to statistical uncertainty, but the specialist award minimum of $2,570.93 per week (index ~123) suggests actual pay is well above the national line of 100.
Psychiatrist salary on the Australian salary index
When you look up "psychiatrist salary" in Australia, the first thing you notice is that official median figures are missing. The Australian Bureau of Statistics and Jobs and Skills Australia both report median weekly earnings for psychiatrists as N/A – not because the job doesn't pay, but because the survey sample is too small to produce a reliable number. That doesn't mean we can't place the role on the Salary Index. We just have to work with what's available: award minimums, industry profiles, and a bit of common sense.
What the data says
Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) provides a snapshot of the profession. As of early 2026, there were about 8,100 employed psychiatrists in Australia. The median age is 46, 52% are women, and 66% work full-time. Those who work full-time average 44 hours per week – exactly the national average. The female share (52%) is above the all-occupations average of 48%, which is notable for a medical specialty.
But the earnings column is blank. The ABS suppresses the figure because the relative standard error is 25% or higher. That tells us the data is too scattered to pin down a single number – likely because psychiatrist pay varies enormously between public hospitals, private practice, and different states.
Award rates as a floor
The Fair Work Ombudsman's Medical Practitioners Award (MA000031) sets minimum pay for doctors, including psychiatrists classified as specialists. From 1 July 2026, the weekly rate for a specialist is $2,570.93 (full-time). That annualises to about $133,688 before tax and super. On the Salary Index, where 100 equals the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352, that gives an index of 123.4 – well above the national line.
Senior specialists earn more under the award. Pay point 5, for example, is $3,193.92 per week ($166,084 annualised, index ~153). The top classification – senior principal specialist – is $3,374.36 per week ($175,467, index ~162). These are minimums, not ceilings. Most psychiatrists in private practice or with years of experience earn above award.
How the index works
The Salary Index compares gross yearly earnings to the national benchmark. The benchmark is derived from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey (May 2026): $2,083.70 per week for full-time adult ordinary-time employees, annualised to $108,352. That's index 100. Anything above 100 means the role pays more than the average full-time worker; below 100 means less.
For a psychiatrist on the specialist award minimum, the index is 123. For a senior specialist on pay point 5, it's 153. Actual psychiatrist salaries are likely higher still – possibly in the 140–180 range depending on location, sector, and experience. But without a published median, we can't give a precise figure.
State and industry context
Where you work matters. The states page shows that the index varies across Australia: Western Australia is 106.9, New South Wales 101.2, Victoria 98, and Tasmania just 88.6. Psychiatrist pay may follow similar patterns, though public hospital salaries are often set by state enterprise agreements. The Health Care and Social Assistance industry index is 97.8 overall, but that includes many lower-paid roles. Psychiatrists are at the top end of that industry.
Tax and super
A psychiatrist earning $133,688 (specialist award minimum) would pay tax under 2026–27 rates: nil on the first $18,200, 15% on the next $26,800, 30% on the next $90,000, and 37% on the remainder. Plus a 2% Medicare levy. The total tax would be roughly $30,000, leaving about $103,700 take-home. Superannuation at 12% (from 1 July 2026) adds another $16,042, though that's not included in the index calculation.
Why the median is missing
The ABS only publishes median earnings when the sample is large enough. For psychiatrists, the number of survey respondents is small and the variation is high – a few very high earners in private practice can skew the average, and the median becomes unreliable. That's why JSA shows "N/A". It doesn't mean psychiatrists are poorly paid; it means we can't quote a single trustworthy number.
What this means for you
If you're researching a career as a psychiatrist, the award rates give you a floor. The specialist minimum of $133,688 (index 123) is a safe starting point. Actual earnings for experienced psychiatrists, especially in private practice, are likely to be in the $150,000–$200,000 range (index 138–185). The topics page has more on how different medical specialties compare.
The bottom line
A psychiatrist salary sits comfortably above the Australian average. Even at the award minimum, it's 23% above the national line. For most practising psychiatrists, the real figure is higher – possibly 40–80% above average. The missing median is a statistical quirk, not a sign of low pay. If you're comparing roles, use the award rates as a baseline and adjust for experience, location, and whether you're in public or private practice.
For more on how pay rates are set, see the pay guides page. And remember: the Salary Index is a benchmark, not a quote. Your actual pay depends on your employer, your qualifications, and the market.
Questions people ask
What is the typical psychiatrist salary in Australia?
Official median earnings are not published because the survey sample is too small for a reliable estimate. However, the Medical Practitioners Award sets a minimum weekly wage for a specialist at $2,570.93 (full-time), which annualises to about $133,688. Senior specialists can earn up to $3,374.36 per week ($175,467 annualised) under the award. Most psychiatrists in private practice or with experience earn significantly more than these award floors.
How does the salary index work for psychiatrists?
The Salary Index compares gross annual earnings to the national average full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, which is $108,352 (index 100). For example, the specialist award minimum of $133,688 gives an index of about 123, meaning it is 23% above the national line. Actual psychiatrist salaries are likely higher, so the index for a typical psychiatrist would be well above 100.
What factors affect a psychiatrist's pay in Australia?
Key factors include: years of experience (registrar vs. senior specialist), public vs. private practice, location (state indices vary from 88.6 in Tasmania to 109.9 in the ACT), and whether the psychiatrist works under an award, enterprise agreement, or as a private practitioner. Superannuation (12% from July 2026) is additional. Tax rates for 2026–27 range from nil up to $18,200 to 45% above $190,000, plus a 2% Medicare levy.