Doctor Salary Australia: What You Actually Take Home After Tax

How to Estimate Your Take-Home Pay as a Doctor in Australia

If you are a doctor in Australia, your doctor salary australia figure on a job ad is rarely the amount that lands in your bank account. Understanding what you actually take home after tax and the Medicare levy helps you budget, compare offers, and plan your finances. This guide uses current public information from the Australian Taxation Office, Fair Work, and Jobs and Skills Australia to show you how the numbers work.

Gross Annual Salary – What the Award and Market Say

Your gross salary depends on your role, experience, and whether you work in a public hospital, private practice, or as a locum. Fair Work’s Medical Practitioners Award sets minimum weekly rates for employees covered by the award. For example, from 1 July 2026:

• Intern: $1,277.54 per week (about $66,432 annualised)
• Resident medical practitioner (pay point 1): $1,356.33 per week ($70,529)
• Registrar (pay point 1): $1,543.23 per week ($80,248)
• Specialist: $2,570.93 per week ($133,688)
• Senior specialist (pay point 5): $3,193.92 per week ($166,084)
• Senior principal specialist: $3,374.36 per week ($175,467)

These are minimums. Many doctors earn above award. Jobs and Skills Australia reports median full-time weekly earnings for General Practitioners and Resident Medical Officers of $2,446, which annualises to about $127,192. The average full-time hours are 45 hours per week, so your hourly rate may be lower than the weekly figure suggests.

Tax and Medicare – What Gets Deducted

For the 2026–27 tax year, the Australian resident tax rates are:

• $0 – $18,200: Nil
• $18,201 – $45,000: 15 cents per $1 over $18,200
• $45,001 – $135,000: $4,020 plus 30 cents per $1 over $45,000
• $135,001 – $190,000: $31,020 plus 37 cents per $1 over $135,000
• Over $190,000: $51,370 plus 45 cents per $1 over $190,000

You may also be eligible for the Low Income Tax Offset (LITO), which reduces tax for incomes up to $66,667. Most doctors earn above that, so LITO does not apply.

The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income if you earn above the single upper threshold of $35,013. Since full-time doctors earn well above that, you pay the full 2%. There is no Medicare levy surcharge unless you have private hospital cover or earn above the surcharge threshold (not covered here).

Example Take-Home Calculations

Let’s work through two examples using the on-site tax calculator.

Example 1: GP or Resident Medical Officer on median earnings

• Gross annual salary: $127,192 ($2,446 per week × 52 weeks)
• Income tax: $4,020 + 30% × ($127,192 – $45,000) = $4,020 + $24,657.60 = $28,677.60
• Medicare levy (2%): $2,543.84
• Total deductions: $31,221.44
• Take-home pay: $95,970.56 per year, or about $1,846 per week

Example 2: Specialist on award minimum

• Gross annual salary: $133,688 ($2,570.93 per week × 52 weeks)
• Income tax: $4,020 + 30% × ($133,688 – $45,000) = $4,020 + $26,606.40 = $30,626.40
• Medicare levy (2%): $2,673.76
• Total deductions: $33,300.16
• Take-home pay: $100,387.84 per year, or about $1,931 per week

These are estimates. Your actual tax may differ if you have deductions, HELP/HECS debt, or salary sacrifice arrangements. The Australian Taxation Office provides detailed guidance for doctors on work-related deductions, such as for courses, equipment, and travel.

Superannuation – Not Deducted from Take-Home

Your employer must pay superannuation on top of your salary at 12% from 1 July 2026, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. If a job ad says “$150,000 plus super”, your take-home is calculated on the $150,000, and the super is extra. Super is not deducted from your pay; it goes into your fund separately.

Using the Take-Home Pay Tools

To get a personalised estimate, use the Take-home pay calculator on this site. You can also check the Tax and Medicare page for the latest rates and thresholds. For salary packaging options, such as novated leases or fringe benefits, see the Salary packaging guide.

Remember that the figures here are guides only. Your actual take-home depends on your specific circumstances, including any allowances, penalty rates, and deductions. Always consult a tax professional or use the ATO’s own tools for a precise calculation.