What is an anaesthetist's salary in Australia 2025?

Anaesthetists are among the medical professionals commanding the highest salaries in Australia, reflecting the complexity of their work and the rigorous training required for their role. The exact figure can vary greatly depending on location, experience, and work type.

On average, an anaesthetist's salary in Australia is substantial, in 2025 specialist consultant's can earn anywhere from AUD$250,000 to $600,000 per annum, which places anaesthetists among the top earners in the healthcare industry. However, as with any profession, entry-level anaesthetists can expect to earn less, while those with more experience and advanced skills often command much higher salaries.

When considering an anaesthetist's earnings over a year in Australia, it is also important to factor in additional elements. These can include on-call duties, overtime, and potential private-sector work, which can significantly supplement the base salary. Also, remember that while anesthesiologists earn some of the highest salaries, they also shoulder substantial responsibilities, including patient safety during surgical procedures.

Anaesthetists play an important role in the medical field, ensuring patients receive appropriate pain management and are monitored during surgical procedures. In Australia, the profession is well-regarded, and the salary reflects the importance and expertise required for this role. This article will provide an overview of anaesthetists' salaries in Australia, focusing on the consultant anaesthetist's salary and the factors that influence it.

Factors influencing anaesthetists' salaries in 2025 are:

Several factors, including experience, location, and employment sector, can influence the salary of an anaesthesiologist in Australia.

Experience: As with many professions, experience is essential in determining an anaesthetist's salary. As they progress through their career, from a registrar to a consultant, their salary typically increases to reflect their growing expertise and responsibilities.

Location: The geographical location of employment can also impact an anaesthetist's salary. Salaries in metropolitan areas are generally higher than those in rural or remote regions. However, rural positions may offer additional incentives, such as relocation assistance or housing benefits, to attract qualified professionals.

Sector of Employment: Anaesthetists can work in various sectors, including public hospitals, private hospitals, and private practice. Public sector positions, such as government-funded professional development programs, may offer more stability and benefits. However, private sector roles often provide higher salaries, although they may come with increased responsibility and less job security.

Average anaesthetist salary overview:

Anaesthetists in Australia are among the top earners in the medical profession. Here’s a breakdown:

Early career anaesthetists: After completing their fellowship, anaesthetists can expect to earn anywhere between AUD $200,000 to AUD $300,000 annually, depending on the location and institution.

Mid- to late-career anaesthetists: With more experience, earning potential rises substantially. It's common for seasoned anaesthetists, especially private practice ones, to earn between AUD 350,000 and over AUD $600,000 a year.

Private practice: Anaesthetists who venture into private practice, individually or by joining a group, can earn significantly more, especially if they specialise in surgeries or high-demand areas. However, it's worth noting that private practice also comes with overhead costs and challenges.

According to a recent salary survey, the median salary for an anaesthetist in Australia is approximately AUD $380,000 per annum. This figure can vary widely depending on the abovementioned factors, with some anaesthetists earning over AUD $600,000 per year.

Looking at data from the Australian Tax Office, anaesthetists in Australia earned an average taxable income of AUD $386,065.

Their specialised knowledge and skills are highly valued, and their salary reflects this. While the salary range for anaesthetists in Australia is extensive, the consultant anaesthetist's salary typically falls within the higher end of the spectrum, acknowledging their experience and expertise.

In conclusion, where you’re based, your level of training and other factors can impact how much you earn. But the data is clear: anaesthetics is one of the best-paid medical specialities, vying with a surgeon salary for Australia’s best-paid job.

Anaesthetist salary in Australia per hour:

Anaesthetists are highly compensated medical professionals in Australia, and their hourly wage mirrors this. While the exact figure may fluctuate depending on experience, location, and the specific hospital or clinic, it is helpful to look at averages for a broader understanding.

Typically, the average hourly wage of an anaesthetist in Australia is around AUD $180 to AUD $220. However, more experienced anaesthetists may earn more than AUD $250 per hour, reflecting their specialised skills and years of practice.

Remember that these figures are indicative, and actual earnings can be influenced by working hours, on-call duties, and additional allowances for night shifts or weekend work. It's also important to note that anaesthetists often work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, which may attract higher pay rates.

This profession demands years of rigorous training and study but offers one of Australia's healthcare industry's most lucrative pay scales. Despite the challenges and demands of the role, the high hourly wage is often seen as a testament to the vital role anaesthetists play in patient care and surgical procedures.

The salary for locum anaesthetists in Australia is:

The salary of a locum anaesthetist in Australia can vary depending on several factors, such as their level of experience, the location of the job, the duration of the contract, and the nature of the work. However, according to the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA), the current hourly rates for locum anaesthetists in Australia range from around AUD $250 to AUD $300 per hour.

It's worth noting that many locum anaesthetists also receive additional benefits as part of their compensation package, such as travel and accommodation expenses, professional development opportunities, and the ability to work flexible schedules. Depending on their qualifications and experience, locum anaesthetists can negotiate higher rates.

It's always best to research current rates and negotiate directly with potential employers or locum agencies to clearly understand the compensation package offered for a specific job opportunity.

At Medrecruit, we are seeing consultant anaesthetists earning day rates of between AUD $2,500 – and AUD $3,500 in total compensation per day.

Are anaesthetists in demand in Australia?

Anaesthetists are in demand in Australia.

According to the Australian Government Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, anaesthetists are listed as a "highly sought-after occupation" in Australia, with strong employment growth projected over the next few years. This means there are opportunities to work in rural and remote areas or state-of-the-art metropolitan hospitals.

A few factors are driving the demand for anaesthetists in Australia. One is the ageing population, increasing the demand for healthcare services. Additionally, there is a growing demand for elective surgeries, and anaesthetists ensure these procedures are carried out safely.

Overall, anaesthetists are well-respected and highly valued members of the healthcare system in Australia, and the demand for their services is expected to remain strong in the years to come.

How anaesthetists can increase their salary:

Anaesthetists’ highly specialist skills are in demand. With surgical procedures on the rise, the need for anaesthetists across private and public hospitals is also rising. This means anaesthetists have many opportunities to earn good money.

Anesthesiology in Australia is highly developed and has some of the highest practice standards in the world. Significant investment in facilities means 2025 is a great time to be an anaesthetist: you have excellent training opportunities and access to the latest equipment.

Here’s how anaesthetists could increase their salary:

Keep training and upskilling. An Anaesthetist with years of experience earns more than a new consultant, but you can earn more by upskilling. Though there are many job opportunities for anaesthetists, those with the most skills and experience earn the big bucks.

It’s not all about exams and textbooks! Teach yourself to cultivate important ‘soft’ skills like communication and the ability to work in a team.
Train in a subspecialty. In addition to general anaesthetics, you could train in a subspecialty like paediatrics, neuro-anaesthesia, ICU cover, cardiac, obstetrics, or pain management.

Gain unique experiences. Locuming enables you to take on different roles across Australia. This helps you gain unique experiences and build a well-rounded CV that’ll help you get the top anaesthetist jobs.

The salary of an anaesthetist in Australia is influenced by factors such as experience, location, and employment sector. The consultant anaesthetist salary is particularly attractive, reflecting the seniority and expertise required for this role. As the demand for skilled anaesthesiologists continues to grow, the earning potential for those in the field remains promising.

Looking to gain experience and further your career in anesthesiology? Work with us to find top-paying roles in a range of subspecialties. We have jobs in anaesthetics for doctors and specialists at different career stages. Join us to discover the next step in your career.

Want to learn about the highest rates and hottest locations for doctors in Australia right now? Download our new and free 2025 Job Market Report.