Highest paying doctor jobs in Australia

Considering moving ‘Down Under’? For doctors and physicians, Australia offers some of the highest paying medical jobs.

Roles in the medical profession are well remunerated in Australia, with some physicians in private practice earning up to $600,000 (AUD) annually. Compare this to the median income for other full-time workers – $65,000. An individual earning more than $109,000 per year is considered in the top ten percent of earners in Australia.

Of course, there are many factors affecting the highest paying doctor jobs in Australia, such as; hours worked, speciality, qualifications and experience, location and type of role (for example, contractor or employee), to name a few. Doctors working in specialised roles in major metropolitan areas tend to earn the most – but doctors trained overseas are more likely to gain a role in a rural area first. Pay in rural areas can be slightly less, but the cost of living is lower.  

Who are the highest paid doctors in Australia?

Orthopaedic surgeons are hot on the heels of neurosurgeons with an average salary of $240,000 per year. Mid-career orthopaedic surgeons (5-9 years’ experience) can expect to earn around $225,000 and top earners receive an average total compensation of $450,000 (late-career, 20+ years’ experience).

Cardiothoracic surgeons are also top earners, with a median annual salary of around $206,000.

While they are not the highest-paid, general practitioners are in high demand in Australia and have many job opportunities. Entry-level GPs can expect to earn around $80,000 annually, while highly experienced doctors who own their own practice can earn more than $300,000. PayScale lists the median salary for general practitioners in Australia as $121,000.

Doctors working in Australia can expect to be well-remunerated for their work. Locum doctors can up to $2,500 a day and quality of life ranks highly.

Do you want to learn about the highest rates and hottest locations for doctors in Australia in 2022? Download our free brand new Job Market Report.