A detailed breakdown of salary expectations across different medical specialties in Australia, including bonuses, benefits, and regional variations.
Doctor salaries in Australia in 2026 are the strongest they have been in a decade. Public sector pay rounds settled with above-inflation increases, and private sector competition for specialists in regional areas continues to push packages higher.
Specialist consultant ranges (full-time, public)
- Psychiatry (general adult, metro) — AUD $300K–$420K base.
- Psychiatry (rural, with retention bonuses) — AUD $450K–$700K total package.
- Anaesthetics — AUD $400K–$550K base.
- Radiology — AUD $400K–$550K base, much higher in private.
- Emergency medicine (FACEM) — AUD $350K–$470K base.
- GP (Rural with skin/obs/anaesthetics skills) — AUD $350K–$520K equivalent.
What pushes a package higher
- Rural or remote location — DPA-classified areas attract significant retention bonuses.
- On-call frequency and weekend rotations — separate to base.
- Private practice rights, especially in radiology, dermatology, and obstetrics.
- Leadership roles — Director of Medical Services, Clinical Lead loadings.
- Salary packaging — public hospital staff can package $9,010 + $2,650 of meals/entertainment tax-free.
Cost-of-living context
Sydney and Melbourne are expensive but salaries reflect that. The genuine quality-of-life winners are coastal NSW, Brisbane, Adelaide, and regional centres — strong salaries with significantly lower housing costs. Many doctors who relocate from Sydney to a regional role report a higher real disposable income within 12 months.
Negotiating effectively
Public hospital base pay is set by award, but loadings, on-call, professional development allowance, relocation, and accommodation are all negotiable. Always negotiate the package, not just the base — that's where most of the variance sits.