Anesthesiologists Salary in Australia: Award Minimums vs Median Earnings

Anesthesiologists Salary in Australia: What You Need to Know

If you are searching for anesthesiologists salary information in Australia, it is important to distinguish between the legal minimum set by the Medical Practitioners Award and the typical earnings reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). This guide explains the award rates for specialist anaesthetists, the median market earnings, and how superannuation and enterprise agreements affect total remuneration.

Understanding the pay floor for anaesthetists

Anaesthetists (medical practitioners specialising in anaesthesia) are covered by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020 (MA000031), a modern award made by the Fair Work Commission. The award sets minimum rates for employees classified as Intern, Resident Medical Officer, Registrar, Specialist, and Specialist Anaesthetist. These rates are the legal minimum that an employer covered by the award must pay, before any allowances or penalty rates.

The award applies to employers of medical practitioners throughout Australia, except where a state public sector award or enterprise agreement covers the employee. If you are employed under an enterprise agreement, that agreement may set higher rates than the award. Always check your employment contract or agreement first.

Award minimum rates for specialist anaesthetists

For a Specialist Anaesthetist, the award provides five pay points based on experience. As at 1 July 2026, the minimum annual salaries for a full-time employee (38 ordinary hours per week) are:

• Pay point 1: $129,953 per year ($2,499.10 per week, $65.77 per hour)
• Pay point 2: $134,416 per year ($2,584.92 per week, $68.02 per hour)
• Pay point 3: $139,016 per year ($2,673.38 per week, $70.35 per hour)
• Pay point 4: $148,869 per year ($2,862.87 per week, $75.34 per hour)
• Pay point 5: $150,985 per year ($2,903.56 per week, $76.41 per hour)

Progression through pay points is annual for full-time employees. The award also includes a classification for "Specialist" (without the anaesthetist specialisation) at $121,535 per year, but this would not apply to a qualified anaesthetist.

These rates are the minimum. Many anaesthetists in public hospitals or private practice earn significantly more through enterprise agreements, individual contracts, or fee-for-service arrangements.

Survey data: median earnings for anaesthetists

The ABS, through Jobs and Skills Australia, provides median earnings data for anaesthetists based on the Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025). For full-time non-managerial employees, the median weekly earnings are $8,293. This is equivalent to approximately $431,236 per year if worked 52 weeks. The median hourly earnings are $218 per hour, based on an average of 46 hours per week (90% of anaesthetists work full-time).

These figures are a guide only and do not represent a legal minimum. They reflect the market rate for experienced anaesthetists, many of whom are not covered by the award because they work under enterprise agreements or in private practice. The ABS notes that median earnings are not produced for some occupations with high standard error, but anaesthetists have sufficient data.

How superannuation fits in

All salary figures mentioned – whether award minimums or ABS medians – are before tax and do not include superannuation. Under the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992, employers must contribute a percentage of ordinary time earnings to a superannuation fund. From 1 July 2026, the rate is 12%. For a specialist anaesthetist on the award minimum of $129,953, the employer would pay an additional $15,594.36 in super each year. For someone earning the median $431,236, the super contribution would be $51,748.32.

Super is an employer cost on top of the salary. It is not deducted from the employee’s pay. When comparing job offers, consider the total package including super.

Practical check: comparing your hourly rate

If you are an anaesthetist employed under the award, you can check your hourly rate against the relevant pay point. For example, a Specialist Anaesthetist at pay point 1 should receive at least $65.77 per hour for ordinary hours. Overtime, weekend work, and public holiday penalties may apply under the award. If you are award-free (uncommon for anaesthetists), the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour applies, but this is far below typical anaesthetist pay.

For more details on how award rates are calculated, see our Rate tables and How the figures work pages.

Enterprise agreements and private practice

Many anaesthetists in public hospitals are covered by enterprise agreements that set higher rates than the award. For example, some state health enterprise agreements provide annual salaries for specialist anaesthetists exceeding $200,000. In private practice, anaesthetists may bill patients directly (fee-for-service) and have no award coverage. Their income depends on patient volume, Medicare rebates, and private health insurance arrangements.

If you are negotiating a contract, remember that the award is the floor, not the ceiling. Use the ABS median as a market benchmark, but consider your experience, location, and hours.

Further reading

• Which minimum wage applies
• Guides
• Topics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum salary for a specialist anaesthetist under the Medical Practitioners Award? Under the Medical Practitioners Award 2020, a Specialist Anaesthetist at pay point 1 has a minimum annual salary of $129,953 (as at 1 July 2026). This equates to $2,499.10 per week or $65.77 per hour for a full-time employee working 38 ordinary hours. Higher pay points apply with experience, up to $150,985 at pay point 5.

How does the median anesthesiologists salary compare to the national average? According to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (May 2025), the median weekly earnings for full-time anaesthetists is $8,293, compared to $1,852 for all occupations. This is a survey median, not a legal minimum. Many anaesthetists earn above the award rate due to enterprise agreements or private practice.

Is superannuation included in the salary figures for anaesthetists? No. The award minimum salaries and the ABS median earnings are before tax and do not include superannuation. Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions on top of ordinary time earnings – currently 12% from 1 July 2026. For a specialist anaesthetist on the award minimum of $129,953, the employer would contribute an additional $15,594.36 per year in super.