Anesthesiologist Salary in Australia: Legal Minimum vs Survey Median

Understanding the anesthesiologist salary in Australia

When people search for an “anesthesiologist salary” in Australia, they are usually looking for the earnings of an anaesthetist – the Australian term for a medical specialist who administers anaesthesia. The answer is not a single number because it depends on whether the anaesthetist is an employee under a modern award or enterprise agreement, or is self‑employed. This guide separates the legal minimum from survey averages so you can see how the figures compare.

The legal minimum: award and national minimum

For employed anaesthetists, the most relevant modern award is the Medical Practitioners Award 2020. Under that award, a Specialist (which includes anaesthetists) has a minimum annual salary of $121,535 as of 1 July 2026. That works out to $2,337 per week or $61.51 per hour for a full‑time employee working 38 ordinary hours.

However, this award only applies if the anaesthetist is an employee in a hospital, day procedure centre, or similar setting covered by the award. Many anaesthetists work in private practice as independent contractors or under enterprise agreements that set higher rates. If an anaesthetist is award‑free and not covered by an agreement, the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week) would be the legal floor – but in practice, no qualified specialist would be paid that little.

It is important to remember that a modern award or enterprise agreement can require a higher rate than the national minimum. The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage, while the Fair Work Ombudsman explains and enforces it. For more on which pay floor applies to you, see our Which minimum wage applies guide.

Survey median: what anaesthetists actually earn

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Jobs and Skills Australia provide a clearer picture of actual earnings. According to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, the median full‑time weekly earnings for anaesthetists is $8,293. That translates to a median hourly rate of $218 and an annualised figure of about $431,236 before tax.

These figures are a survey average – not a legal minimum. They include employees in both the public and private sectors, but exclude self‑employed practitioners who may earn more or less. The median is a useful benchmark but should not be used to determine a wage rate, as it does not account for years of experience, location, or type of practice.

How the figures compare

The chart above shows the gap between the survey median ($218/h) and the national minimum wage ($26.44/h). Even the award minimum of $61.51/h is far below the median. This reflects the high level of training, responsibility, and demand for anaesthetists. For comparison, the median full‑time weekly earnings for all occupations is $1,852 – less than a quarter of the anaesthetist median.

Important distinctions

• Award rates are minimums; enterprise agreements can set higher rates. Many public hospital anaesthetists are covered by state‑based enterprise agreements that pay above the award.
• Self‑employed anaesthetists set their own fees and are not covered by awards or the national minimum wage. Their income depends on patient volume, Medicare rebates, and private health insurance.
• Superannuation is an employer payment on top of salary. For an employee earning the median weekly wage of $8,293, the 12% super guarantee adds about $995 per week in contributions.

For more detailed rate tables, see our Rate tables page. To understand how these figures are calculated, visit How the figures work.

FAQs

What is the minimum wage for an anaesthetist in Australia? If employed under the Medical Practitioners Award 2020, the minimum annual salary for a specialist (including anaesthetists) is $121,535 as of 1 July 2026. If award‑free, the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour applies. However, most anaesthetists earn well above these floors due to enterprise agreements or self‑employment.

How does the anesthesiologist salary compare to other occupations? According to the ABS, the median full‑time weekly earnings for anaesthetists is $8,293, compared to $1,852 for all occupations. This makes anaesthetists one of the highest‑paid professions in Australia, reflecting the extensive training and responsibility.

Do anaesthetists receive superannuation on top of their salary? Yes. Employers must pay the superannuation guarantee of 12% on ordinary time earnings. For an employee earning the median weekly wage of $8,293, that adds about $995 per week in super contributions.