What is the highest geriatrician salary in Australia?

What geriatricians are earning in Australia

Geriatricians are medical professionals specialising in the healthcare of older adults. They play a crucial role in addressing the unique needs of this growing population in Australia. Geriatrician jobs are highly sought after due to the increasing demand for their expertise. This article will discuss the geriatrician salary in Australia, including the impact of specialisation, benefits and perks, and education and training requirements.

It is widely known that doctors have the ability to earn good money, but what do geriatricians earn?

What you earn as a geriatrician depends on a number of factors including where you work, whether you are junior or a consultant, and the type of work you are doing. The average geriatrician salary in Australia is around AUD$178,000, and experienced Geriatrics physicians are earning around AUD$272,000 (if you are in private practice this could be much higher).

We are seeing locum geriatricians earning up to AUD$3500 AUD per day.

How can geriatricians increase their salary in Australia?

There are several ways geriatricians can increase their salary. The first is experience: As geriatricians gain more experience, they will be able to negotiate higher salaries.

Location, location, location! Salaries can vary depending on where a geriatrician practices, options to increase pay via location could be practising in a large metropolitan hospital where pay rates are higher or going rural where you are much needed!

Geriatricians who work in high-demand areas, such as rural or underserved communities, may be able to command higher salaries.

Pick up locum work either full-time or around your permanent position. Due to their often urgent nature locum shifts often offer much higher rates.

Finally, think about working in the private sector, geriatricians working in the private sector tend to earn more than those working in the public sector.

It's important to keep in mind that many of these factors are interrelated and a combination of them can lead to increase in salary.

Do geriatricians earn good money?

Yes, as a highly-skilled and in-demand profession, all doctors get paid well, including geriatricians. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2022 the average weekly income in Australia is AUD$1,769.80 making the average income AUD$92,029.60. The average income of a geriatrician is much higher (almost double) this.

Geriatrician salary by specialisation

The geriatrician salary in Australia is influenced by several factors, including experience, location, and specialisation. On average, a geriatrician in Australia can expect to earn around AUD$200,000 to AUD$300,000 per year. However, those who specialise in a particular area of geriatric medicine may earn even more.

Dementia Care: Geriatricians who specialise in dementia care are highly sought after due to the increasing prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia in the aging population. These specialists can command higher salaries, ranging from AUD$250,000 to AUD$350,000 per year.

Palliative Care: Geriatricians focusing on palliative care work to provide relief from pain and other symptoms for patients with serious illnesses. This specialisation often involves managing complex medical conditions, which can result in higher salaries, typically around AUD$240,000 to AUD$340,000 annually.

Rehabilitation: Geriatricians who specialise in rehabilitation work with older patients to improve their functional abilities and quality of life. This specialisation often requires additional training and certification, which can lead to salaries ranging from AUD$230,000 to AUD$330,000 per year.

General geriatric medicine: Geriatricians who practice general geriatric medicine may diagnose and treat a wide range of medical conditions in older adults. Their salaries can range from AUD$200,000 to AUD$300,000 per year, depending on experience and location.

Benefits and perks of working as a geriatrician

In addition to competitive salaries, geriatricians in Australia can enjoy various benefits and perks, such as:

Healthcare benefits: Many employers provide comprehensive healthcare packages for their geriatricians, which may include medical, dental, and vision coverage.

Retirement plans: Geriatricians often have access to retirement plans, such as superannuation or pension schemes, which can help ensure financial stability in their later years.

Paid time off: Geriatricians in Australia typically receive generous paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and parental leave. Some employers may also offer additional paid leave for professional development or conferences.

Professional development: Many geriatricians receive financial support for continuing education, professional memberships, and conference attendance, which can help them stay current in their field and further their careers.

How to become a geriatrician in Australia

To become a geriatrician in Australia, one must complete the following education and training requirements:

Medical degree: Prospective geriatricians must first obtain a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) or Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree from an accredited university.

Internship: After completing medical school, graduates must complete a one-year internship in a hospital setting to gain practical experience.

Residency: After the internship, aspiring geriatricians must complete a minimum three-year residency in internal medicine, followed by a two-year advanced training program in geriatric medicine.

Fellowship: Upon completion of the advanced training program, candidates must pass an examination administered by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) to become a Fellow of the Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) in geriatric medicine.

If you'd like to learn more about the hottest locations and the highest rates for doctors in Australia in 2024, you can download our brand new and free Job Market Report.