Doctor Salary in Australia in 2025: Career Prospects and Average Salaries

Role 

Average Salary Range (AUD)

General Notes

General Practitioners (GPs)

$150,000 – $400,000+

Higher in rural/remote areas; average full-time GP earns $250,000–$365,000.

Entry-level GPs

$80,000 – $150,000

Increases with experience and private practice ownership

Senior GPs/Practice Owners

$300,000 – $436,000+

Full-time, established, or high-session GPs.

Specialists

$200,000 – $600,000+

E.g., cardiologists, dermatologists, paediatricians.

Surgeons

$200,000 – $750,000

Neurosurgeons at the top end.

Locum Doctors

$2,500 – $5,000 per day

Highest rates in rural/remote areas and in-demand specialties.

Junior Doctors/Registrars

$70,000 – $119,000+

Increases with years and completion of specialist training

Role 

Average Salary Ranges (AUD)

Notes 

Entry-level (RMO/Intern)

$65,000 – $95,000

Junior doctors; varies by state and experience.

General Practitioners

$100,000 – $300,000+

Higher in rural/regional areas; practice owners may earn more.

Specialists/Surgeons

$500,000 – $800,000+

Top specialties (e.g., neurosurgery) can exceed $600,000–$800,000.

Locum Registrars

Up to $1,287 per day

Daily rates vary by state and demand; higher in rural/remote areas.

Other Factors

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Salaries influenced by state, public/private sector, experience, and location

Factor

Impact on Salary 

Average Salary Range 

Specialization

Specialists and surgeons generally earn  more than GPs. 

Highly specialized fields like neurosurgery command top pay.

GPs: $80,000–$300,000+

Specialists: $150,000–$500,000+

Top Surgeons: $600,000–$1 million+

Experience

More experienced doctors, especially in private practice, earn higher salaries.

Entry-level GPs: ~$80,000

Senior GPs/private: $300,000+

Senior RMOs: $73,000–$133,000

Location

Rural/underserved areas offer higher pay and extra benefits (relocation, accommodation) to attract doctors.

Rural GPs: $150,000–$450,000

Consultants in NT: $260,000–$320,000

Public vs. Private

Private practice generally pays more; the public sector offers better benefits and stability.

Private consultants: Up to $600,000+

Public consultants: $200,000–$310,000

Global Comparison

US doctors earn more than Australian counterparts, especially specialists; Australia pays more than the UK; Canada similarly.

US: Avg. $316,000

Australia: GPs $100,000–$300,000+

UK: Lower than Australia

Canada: Similar

Other Benefits

Overtime, on-call, and rural incentives can boost total compensation.

Locum Rates: Up to $4,000/day for consultants