When it comes to choosing a career, one of the most important factors that people consider is the potential salary they can earn. For those interested in pursuing a career in medicine, becoming a doctor is often seen as a lucrative path. But do you know what’s doctor salary in Australia?
Australia is known for having a strong healthcare system and a high standard of living, which makes it an attractive place for medical professionals to work. In general, doctors in Australia are well-compensated, with salaries that are competitive with other high-paying professions.
It’s worth noting that becoming a doctor in Australia requires a significant amount of education and training. To practice medicine in Australia, doctors must complete a medical degree, a residency program, and pass a series of exams. While the road to becoming a doctor can be long and challenging, the potential financial rewards can make it a worthwhile investment.
Whether you’re a current medical student, a practicing doctor, or simply curious about the field, read on to learn more about doctor salaries in Australia.
Topics covered
Steps to Become a Doctor in Australia
Becoming a doctor in Australia involves several years of rigorous education, training, and certification. Here are the steps to becoming a doctor in Australia:
- Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree
- Take the GAMSAT
- Apply to Medical School
- Complete the MD Program
- Complete an internship
- Enroll with the Medical Board of Australia
- Complete a Residency
- Obtain Certification from the Australian Medical Council
Let’s have a look at each step one by one below:
Step 1: Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree
To start your journey toward becoming a doctor in Australia, you will need to obtain a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution. While there are no specific undergraduate degrees required, it is recommended to complete a degree in a field related to medicine, such as biology or health sciences. However, students who hold a degree in other fields can also apply to medical schools as long as they have completed the required prerequisite courses in sciences.
Step 2: Take the GAMSAT
After obtaining a Bachelor’s degree, the next step is to take the Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT). This test is designed to assess the aptitude and knowledge of the candidates applying for medical school. The test consists of three sections: reasoning in humanities and social sciences, written communication, and reasoning in biological and physical sciences.
Step 3: Apply to Medical School
Once you have taken the GAMSAT, you can then apply to medical school. Several medical schools in Australia offer a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree, which is a four-year program. The admission process varies from one school to another, but most medical schools require a high GPA and a good GAMSAT score. It’s important to research and apply to schools that match your interests and qualifications.
Step 4: Complete the MD Program
During the four-year MD program, you will learn the essential knowledge and skills required to become a doctor. The first two years will focus on the foundational knowledge of medical sciences such as anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology. The final two years will be focused on clinical rotations, where you will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and apply your knowledge in real-world settings.
Step 5: Complete an internship
After completing the MD program, you will need to complete a one-year internship in a hospital or clinical setting. During this internship, you will work under the supervision of licensed medical professionals to gain the practical experience and skills required to work as a doctor.
Step 6: Enroll with the Medical Board of Australia
To practice as a doctor in Australia, you must be registered with the Medical Board of Australia. This registration process involves meeting specific standards, including English language proficiency and completion of medical qualifications from an accredited institution. You will also need to pass a criminal history check and provide evidence of professional indemnity insurance.
Step 7: Complete a Residency
After completing the internship and registering with the Medical Board of Australia, you will need to complete a residency program. A residency program is a supervised training program that provides further education and experience in a specific area of medicine. The length of the residency program varies from one to six years, depending on the specialty.
Step 8: Obtain Certification from the Australian Medical Council
The final step to becoming a doctor in Australia is obtaining certification from the Australian Medical Council (AMC). The AMC certification ensures that you have met the required standards for medical practice in Australia. This certification is necessary to practice as a specialist in a specific area of medicine.
To know about the study procedure, refer to our Study in Australia blog post!
What’s the average salary of an MBBS doctor?
The salary range for MBBS doctors in Australia can differ based on several factors, including their level of expertise, chosen medical field, geographical location, and type of employment. These variables contribute to the variation in average earnings among doctors practicing medicine in Australia. However, according to Payscale, the average salary for a doctor with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree in Australia is AUD 110,000 per year.
The starting salary for an MBBS doctor in Australia is generally lower, with a range of AUD 68,000 to $92,000 per year. However, as doctors gain experience, their salaries can increase significantly. For example, a doctor with 10 to 19 years of experience can earn an average of AUD 158,000 per year, and those with over 20 years of experience can earn an average of AUD 207,000 per year.
Location is another important factor that can affect a doctor’s salary. For example, doctors working in major cities like Sydney and Melbourne may earn higher salaries compared to those working in rural or remote areas. According to Medscape, the highest-paying specialties for doctors in Australia are neurosurgery, cardiothoracic surgery, and orthopedics.
It’s worth noting that doctors in Australia also have access to a range of benefits, such as healthcare, professional development opportunities, and paid vacation time. Additionally, many doctors work in the public healthcare system, which offers job security and access to a pension plan.
Doctor salary in Australia as per specialization
Here is a list of average annual salaries for doctors in Australia, based on different specializations:
- Neurosurgery: $600,000 – $750,000
- Cardiothoracic surgery: $500,000 – $600,000
- Orthopedics: $450,000 – $550,000
- Urology: $400,000 – $500,000
- Gastroenterology: $350,000 – $450,000
- Hematology/oncology: $300,000 – $400,000
- Dermatology: $250,000 – $400,000
- Radiology: $250,000 – $400,000
- Anesthesiology: $250,000 – $350,000
- Emergency medicine: $200,000 – $350,000
- Internal medicine: $200,000 – $300,000
- Pediatrics: $180,000 – $250,000
- Psychiatry: $150,000 – $250,000
- Family medicine/general practice: $120,000 – $200,000
Comparison of doctor salary in Australia vs globally
According to Medscape’s 2022 Global Compensation Report, the average annual salary for doctors in Australia is USD 199,000, which is higher than the global average of USD 142,000. However, when comparing average salaries across different specialties, the report found that doctors in Australia earned less than their counterparts in the United States, Canada, and some European countries.
Here is a comparison of doctor salaries in Australia versus several other countries around the world based on data from the Medscape Physician Compensation Report 2022:
| Country | Average Annual Salary of Doctors (USD) |
| Australia | $186,000 |
| United States | $352,000 |
| Canada | $328,000 |
| United Kingdom | $151,000 |
| Germany | $116,000 |
| France | $121,000 |
| Japan | $105,000 |
| Singapore | $106,000 |
Note: These figures are averages and can vary significantly depending on factors such as experience, specialty, location, and type of employment. Additionally, different countries have different healthcare systems and cultural expectations around salaries and working conditions, which can impact the salaries of doctors in those countries.
Epilogue
A career in medicine can be financially lucrative in Australia, with high average salaries, job security, and opportunities for overtime and additional shifts. If you have a passion for helping others and a drive to succeed, becoming a doctor could be the perfect career path for you.
Nevertheless, do you need some handholding to get you through this? How about a discussion with our expert career counsellors to study abroad with decades of experience concerning education in this field?
Talk to our study abroad experts who have 20+ years of experience to know yourself in and out! We have helped several brilliant but confused minds intending to select their most-suited career choices. Hear the success story of Aayush who got an offer from the top 3 universities and is now studying at a University in Ottawa in Canada after getting career guidance from our industry experts!
Also, read;
- MBA in Australia
- Student Visa Australia
- Exams to Study Abroad
- Guidelines for Writing Statement of Purpose
- IELTS: All you need to know for success
FAQs
The average salary for a doctor in Australia ranges from $80,000 to AUD 207,000 per year. However, this can vary significantly depending on factors such as specialty, experience, location, and type of employment.
According to a 2022 report by Medscape, doctors in Australia earn more than the global average of USD 142,000 per year. However, when comparing salaries across different specialties, doctors in Australia may earn less than their counterparts in countries like the United States and Canada.
Neurosurgeons have the highest salary among doctors in Australia, with an average annual salary ranging from $600,000 to AUD 750,000. Other highly paid specialties include cardiothoracic surgery, orthopedics, urology, and gastroenterology.
Yes, doctors in Australia often receive benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans, in addition to their salary.
In general, doctors with more experience tend to earn higher salaries in Australia. However, the specific impact of experience on salary can vary depending on factors such as specialty and type of employment.
Anushree has 4+ years of experience in the career counseling industry as a Content Writer. She has also worked as a Social Media Marketing Expert for a startup and Content Quality Analyst for Publishing and E-learning Industry. She has done her Master’s in Commerce and PGDM in Finance & Trade and Marketing & HR, but she is currently following her passion for writing.
