Salary Ranges by Role

Doctor salaries in Australia vary significantly based on your role, level of experience, and where you work. The figures below represent approximate annual salary ranges in Australian dollars (AUD) before tax, and are indicative of typical public hospital and general practice positions.

  • Intern / Hospital Medical Officer (HMO): $80,000 -- $110,000 per year. This is the entry-level hospital position. Overtime and penalty rates can increase total earnings significantly.
  • Registrar (Trainee Specialist): $120,000 -- $180,000 per year. Registrars earn more than HMOs and receive additional loadings for after-hours work, on-call shifts, and rural placements.
  • General Practitioner (GP): $150,000 -- $400,000+ per year. GP earnings depend heavily on whether you are salaried or working on a percentage-of-billings model, and whether the practice is in a metropolitan or regional area.
  • Specialist / Consultant: $250,000 -- $500,000+ per year. Specialists working in the public system earn at the higher end of public hospital pay scales, while those with private practices can earn substantially more.
  • Locum Doctors: $2,000 -- $4,000+ per day. Locum positions, particularly in remote and regional areas, often command premium daily rates and may include accommodation and travel allowances.

How Salaries Vary by State and Location

Doctor salaries are influenced by which state or territory you work in, as each jurisdiction has its own public hospital pay scales and award agreements. In general terms:

  • New South Wales and Victoria: The largest job markets with competitive salaries. Sydney and Melbourne have higher costs of living, which can offset higher nominal pay.
  • Queensland: Strong demand across the state, particularly in regional centres. Queensland Health offers competitive packages for doctors willing to work outside Brisbane.
  • Western Australia and South Australia: Often offer attractive salaries and relocation packages to attract doctors to regional and remote areas.
  • Tasmania, Northern Territory, and ACT: Smaller markets but with targeted incentives, especially for doctors willing to work in underserved communities.

Regional and rural positions frequently offer higher base salaries, relocation assistance, and retention bonuses compared to equivalent metropolitan roles. For more on this, see our regional vs metropolitan comparison.

Understanding Your Total Remuneration

When evaluating a salary offer, look beyond the base figure. Total remuneration for doctors in Australia typically includes several components:

  • Base salary: The core annual amount before loadings and allowances.
  • Superannuation: Employers are required to contribute 11.5% of your ordinary earnings to a superannuation (retirement) fund. This is in addition to your salary.
  • Overtime and penalty rates: Shift work, weekends, public holidays, and on-call duties attract additional payments, which can substantially increase total earnings in hospital roles.
  • Allowances: Some positions include allowances for professional development, relocation, accommodation (especially in rural areas), and motor vehicle use.
  • Salary packaging: Public hospital doctors and some other employees can salary package certain expenses (such as rent, meals, and novated car leases) to reduce their taxable income.

Your take-home pay will also depend on the Australian tax system. To understand how far your salary goes, review our cost of living guide.

Compare Your Options

Salary is just one factor in choosing where and how to work. Consider reading our guides on public vs private practice to understand how pay structures differ between sectors, and our contracts guide to learn what salary-related clauses to look for in your employment agreement.

If you are still exploring your options, our job search guide covers how to find positions that match your skills and salary expectations. For the complete picture of working in Australia, visit our Work as a Doctor in Australia overview.

Important Planning Note

This page is designed as practical guidance for overseas doctors and should be used alongside official requirements published by AHPRA, the AMC, relevant specialist colleges, and the Department of Home Affairs.

Rules, fees, and processing times can change. Before lodging any application, verify current criteria directly with official sources listed on our Resources page.