Vet salary Australia: award rates, median pay, super and tax in 2026

What does "vet salary australia" mean?

When someone searches for "vet salary australia", they are usually looking for how much veterinarians earn in this country. The answer is not a single number. It spans award minimums set by the Fair Work Commission, market rates reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, and the actual take-home pay after super and tax. This article uses the Salary Index to place vet pay against the national line, where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 a year.

Veterinary surgeon award rates under the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award

The legal minimum for most vets comes from the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award 2020 (MA000118), published by the. From 1 July 2026, after a 4.75% increase, the minimum annual salaries for full-time veterinary surgeons are:

• Level 1A: $67,582 (index 62.4)
• Level 1B: $71,300 (index 65.8)
• Level 2: $77,032 (index 71.1)
• Level 3: $84,628 (index 78.1)
• Level 4: $95,593 (index 88.2)

These rates apply to a 38-hour week. The award also covers practice managers, veterinary nurses, receptionists and animal attendants, with weekly rates from $978.10 (introductory) to $1,283.10 (Level 5 practice manager). A veterinary nurse at Level 2, for example, earns a minimum of $1,073.10 per week, annualised to $55,801 (index 51.5).

It is important to remember that these are minimums. Many vets, especially those with experience or in specialist roles, earn significantly more. The award itself notes that employers and employees can agree on higher pay.

Median earnings for veterinarians

For a more realistic picture, the profile of Veterinarians (ANZSCO 2347) provides useful benchmarks. Based on ABS data from May 2025, the median full-time weekly earnings for vets are $2,413. That annualises to $125,476, giving a salary index of 116 – well above the national line.

The median hourly earnings are $64, compared to $47 for all occupations. About 73% of vets work full-time, and the average full-time week is 45 hours. The occupation employs around 14,500 people, with 63% women and a median age of 37.

These figures are for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. They exclude managers and part-time workers, so they represent the typical full-time vet. Part-time vets (27% of the workforce) will have lower annual earnings but similar hourly rates.

Superannuation and tax considerations

When discussing "vet salary australia", gross pay is only part of the story. The superannuation guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026, applied on top of ordinary time earnings. For a vet on the median $125,476, the employer must contribute about $15,057 to a super fund each year, up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. The award lists default funds such as AustralianSuper.

Tax for resident vets in 2026–27 follows these brackets:

• Nil on the first $18,200
• 15% on $18,201 to $45,000
• 30% on $45,001 to $135,000
• 37% on $135,001 to $190,000
• 45% above $190,000

Plus a 2% Medicare levy on taxable income. For a vet earning $125,476, the estimated tax is roughly $28,163 and Medicare $2,510, leaving take-home pay of about $94,803. This ignores HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, or the Medicare levy surcharge, which could change the outcome.

How the salary index applies to vet pay

The Salary Index lets you compare any gross annual salary to the national benchmark. A vet on the award Level 2 minimum ($77,032) has an index of 71 – meaning they earn 71% of the typical full-time adult. The median vet ($125,476) is at 116, above the professional, scientific and technical industry average of 115. By contrast, the national minimum wage sits at index 48.

State indices vary (e.g., NSW 101, ACT 110, WA 107), but no occupation-specific state data is publicly available for vets. The states page shows how each region compares overall.

Putting it together

A search for "vet salary australia" returns a range from $67,582 (entry-level award) to $125,476 (median full-time) and higher for specialists or practice owners. The award provides a safety net, but market rates are driven by demand, experience and location. With super at 12% and progressive tax, a vet on the median takes home about $94,800 after tax and Medicare, plus super contributions building in a fund.

For more context, see the pay guides for award summaries, or explore industries to see how vet pay compares to other fields. The topics page covers related areas like casual loading and junior rates.

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All figures are based on public data from the Fair Work Ombudsman, Jobs and Skills Australia, and the Australian Bureau of Statistics. They are guides only and do not constitute financial or career advice.