Doctor Salary in Australia: New Pay, Scope & More in 2026

When researching doctor salary Australia 2026, salaries can differ significantly depending on experience, a doctor's specialisation and location. The starting salary for a first-year hospital intern is approximately AUD 80,638 and doctor salary Australia annually, whereas a senior specialist like a neurosurgeon can make over AUD 600,000 annually.

This guide includes information on doctor salary Australia based on career stage and speciality, in both AUD and INR. It also features a brief overview of the salaries of interns, registrars, consultants and private specialists.

What Is the Average Doctor Salary in Australia in 2026?

In 2026, doctor salary in Australia can expect to earn between approximately AUD 80,000 per annum as first-year hospital interns and in excess of AUD 600,000 per annum for senior procedural specialists.

• The average doctor salary in Australia is actually a range since there's no single number that can be used for every doctor.  

• Average doctor salary Australia is subject to variation, based on stage of career.

• Fixed salary for interns and junior doctors as determined by their state.

• Most specialists work for their own clientele, and their income is greater and more variable.

• To give a broad idea, the latest figures from the ATO (2023–24, released 17 June 2026) demonstrate that their taxable income for the most recent year averaged AUD 140,129 for junior doctors (resident medical officers), AUD 196,060 for GPs, and between AUD 205,492 and AUD 678,611 for specialists.

• The pay of hospital employees has increased, and the rupee has depreciated from approximately INR 55 in Australian dollars in the last year of 2024 (ATO average rate) to approximately INR 68 today.

Note: A doctor salary Australia of this amount is now being converted into approximately 23% more rupees. For instance, AUD 100k cost approximately INR 55.2 lakh during 2024 at the average exchange rate, and presently costs approximately INR 68 lakh.

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Average Salary by Specialty (Taxable Income)

Neurosurgeons are the highest paid on average, with AUD 678,611, followed by plastic surgeons with AUD 660,492, and ophthalmologists with AUD 655,245. GPs earn AUD 196,060 on average.

Specialist doctor pay in Australia is dependent on overtime, procedures and private practice. The table lists ATO-reported income for the Australian doctor salary in Indian rupees at INR 68/AUD.

Key Points:

• Taxable Income: Income after work costs and for doctors who work part-time and are nearing retirement age.

• Higher-Paid Specialities: Vascular surgeons make an average of AUD 574,393 and orthopaedic surgeons an average of AUD 554,839.

• GP Income: Job ads often give the figure of AUD 200,000 - 400,000+, which is typically before fees to the practice etc.

• Why the procedures do better: Surgeons and imaging specialists can make more money through the procedures, whereas consulting specialties make most of their money from consultation time.

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Salary by Career Stage (Public Hospital Baseline)

In a public hospital, interns earn AUD 80,638–97,509 a year, first-year registrars earn AUD 107,655–138,978, and salaried consultants earn AUD 204,936–343,304 in base pay. Salaries may differ depending on state; each has its own pay scale.

Note: Overtime, penalty rates and allowances are not included in base pay. These can contribute to the revenue of hospitals by approximately 10% to 30%.

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Average Doctor Salary in Australia by Type and Experience

Salaries differ by profession and experience amongst doctors working in Australia. Doctors in the hospital are paid a flat salary, whereas private doctors and specialists are paid in proportion to billings.

• Hospital Doctors: Salary in addition to overtime, penalty rates and allowances.

• GPs: Get a commission on their billings, depending on the hours, fees and practice arrangement.

• Private Specialists and Surgeons: The income will vary depending on billings and costs. The average incomes for general surgeons were AUD 438,505, and for orthopaedic surgeons it was AUD 554,839.

• Salaried Consultants: Get salaries in addition to allowances and other accommodations, based on the state.

What Changes Your Pay? 

• Speciality: Specialities that are procedural will tend to earn more.

• State: Salaries vary from state to state.

• Public vs Private: There is a set compensation rate for the public sector position, as opposed to the private sector position, which may be higher and fluctuate more based on individual practice.

• Hours and Roster: Nights, weekends, and public holidays may bring about an increase in pay.

• Incentives: Additional incentives may be provided for regional and remote work.

• How You Are Paid: Total income may be influenced by salary, billings, or payment per service.

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Doctor Salary in Australia by Experience Level

The level of base pay increases deceptively by about double from intern to senior registrar and again at the consultant level. Hospital rosters are 10-30% higher due to overtime and penalties.

This is how doctor pay increases with the years. Specialty training can take 3-6 years or longer, and many doctors will become consultants between 10 and 15 years after qualifying.

Note: The largest jump is at the end: the pay of the most senior registrars in year 4 is around AUD 159,000, and first-year consultants start at over AUD 204,000.

How to Increase Your Doctor Salary in Australia?

• Move up the scale. A pay step is awarded for each year of service, and registrar and consultant positions offer significantly higher pay.

• Select an elective procedure: The ATO data shows these are the highest paying.

• Think about jobs in areas outside of the city. Incentive payments of up to AUD 60,000 a year are available for eligible roles.

• Use your roster. Overtime, night shifts and weekends are paid at higher rates for overtime.

• Consider fellowship to private practice. Many experts combine the private billings with the public salary.

Doctor Salary in Australia by City and State

It is state, not city, that determines the pay. The highest pay is in Queensland (AUD 97,509) and the lowest is in New South Wales (AUD 80,638). 

• The typical salary for a salaried consultant in the ACT ranges from AUD 204,936 to 343,304 in Western Australia.

• There is a doctor appointed under the NSW agreement and a doctor appointed under the Victorian agreement. So, the city itself doesn't determine your pay scale. 

• Whereas, rent in Sydney and Melbourne tends to be more expensive than in Adelaide and Hobart. 

• Incentives may also be offered for regional and out-of-town employment opportunities. 

• In terms of initial salary, Queensland is the top leader for interns and Tasmania for first-year registrars (AUD 138,978 compared with AUD 107,655 in South Australia).

Key Notes:

• Bonus for rural and regional. The Australian Government Workforce Incentive Program offers between AUD 3,600 and AUD 60,000 per annum to eligible primary care work in regional, rural and remote areas. The doctors without vocational registration receive 80% of that, namely from AUD 3,600 to AUD 48,000.

• Review prior to planning. A number of agreements are currently being renegotiated (interim rates apply for the NSW; Victoria and the Northern Territory are currently under negotiation), check current rates with the employer.

Doctor Take-Home Salary in Australia After Tax

After tax and Medicare levy (77%), a doctor earning AUD 100,000 keeps approximately AUD 77,480. A doctor with an income of AUD 100,000 retains about AUD 77,480 after tax and the Medicare levy (77%). On AUD 250,000 you keep about AUD 166,630 (67%), and on AUD 600,000 about AUD 352,130 (59%).

Income is taxed in stages in Australia. For 2026–27, residents pay nothing up to AUD 18,200, then 15% up to AUD 45,000, 30% up to AUD 135,000, 37% up to AUD 190,000 and 45% above that, with a 2% Medicare levy. For doctors this translates to:

Note: This is the take home figure and is what will be in your bank account each year before salary packaging. The monthly is the annual figure divided by 12, but the hospitals are paid fortnightly.

These are estimates for Australian tax residents only. They don't accept salary packaging, offsets and HELP debts, most of which are not available for doctors from India. People earning more than the single Medicare pensioner can also be liable for a Medicare levy surcharge of 1% to 1.5%. The rates are to be applied to taxable income and not billings for private-practice doctors.

Your employer contributes superannuation (retirement savings) – 12 per cent of your salary – to a limit of 12 per cent of an annual income. For an intern on AUD 80,638, that is about AUD 9,677 (INR 6.6 lakh) a year.

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Doctor Salary in Australia for Indian MBBS Graduates

Indian doctors who are registered with the local medical council are paid at the same level as the local doctors who did their MBBS in Australia.

After passing the AMC exams and registering with AHPRA, a first job as a resident medical officer will pay approximately AUD 90,919 to AUD 105,119 (INR 61.8 to INR 71.5 lakh) in base pay. The doctor salary australia for Indian graduates is the same as for any other graduate. The hard part is getting registered. 

As India is not a ‘Competent Authority' country, most Indian MBBS graduates opt for the Standard Pathway:

1. Do the Primary Source Verification for MBBS and Internship by AMC.

2. Pass an English test (OET,  IELTS Academic or  PTE Academic).

3. Pass the AMC MCQ exam (AUD 2,920) and the AMC clinical exam (AUD 3,000 – AUD 3,400 depending on exam format).

4. Apply to be registered with AHPRA and work under supervision, typically as a resident medical officer.

Note: The two AMC exams alone cost about AUD 5,900 to AUD 6,300 (INR 4.0 to INR 4.3 lakh). Most candidates take about 2 years from commencing preparation until they receive their first Australian payslip, and resits can take more time and money. Indian medical specialists featuring MD or MS have a distinct pathway via the corresponding Australian college.

What could your first year as Doctor in Australia look like?

A first year, as you might see it. For a resident medical officer, with a base pay of AUD 90,919 to AUD 105,119, overtime and penalties could add up to AUD 100,000 to AUD 136,700 (INR 68 to INR 93 lakh). The employer super of 12% adds about AUD 10,900 to AUD 12,600 on top. There is also no requirement for a specialty training place to earn registrar pay: service (unaccredited) registrars are paid at the same levels. 

To calculate the average doctor salary in Australia in Indian rupees, multiply the number by approximately 68 and use the live rate to help when making your decision. In addition, the incentive payments above may be added to jobs in rural areas, overall calculating the doctor salary in australia in indian rupees.  

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Conclusion

Doctor salary Australia varies from AUD 80,638 for interns to over AUD 600,000 for senior procedural specialists, with the average Australia doctor salary increasing significantly at each step of the career ladder. Remember three things:

• Your specialty and career stage are the most important considerations when it comes to remuneration, followed by your state and your payment arrangement.

• You take home between 59% to 80% of your salary after tax and your employer pays you 12% super on top.

• It is not a pay issue for graduates from India but rather a registration issue.

Planning your move to Australia? Consulting with TerraTern's visa experts will assist you with planning your visa and registration procedures.