Average GP Salary Australia: Award Minimums, Median Earnings, and What You Should Know

What is the average GP salary Australia?

When people search for the "average GP salary Australia", they often want a single number. But the reality is more layered. There is a legal minimum under the Medical Practitioners Award, a median from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), and the actual salary you might negotiate. This guide unpacks each one.

The legal minimum: the Medical Practitioners Award

General Practitioners (GPs) and other medical practitioners are covered by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020 (MA000031). This award sets minimum rates for different classifications. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the minimum hourly rates include:

• General Practitioner pay point 1: $53.07 per hour
• General Practitioner pay point 2: $55.17 per hour
• Specialist: $61.51 per hour
• Registrar pay point 1: $40.61 per hour

These are the absolute minimums. A GP with more experience moves to higher pay points. The award also includes penalty rates for weekends, public holidays, and overtime. For example, Saturday and Sunday work is paid at 150% of the ordinary hourly rate.

It is important to note that a modern award or enterprise agreement can set a higher rate. The award is only the floor.

The median GP earnings from the ABS

The ABS, through Jobs and Skills Australia, reports that the median weekly earnings for full-time non-managerial General Practitioners and Resident Medical Officers is $2,446 per week (before tax). That works out to about $60 per hour based on a 45-hour average week (GPs often work longer than 38 hours). This figure comes from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025.

This median is significantly higher than the award minimum. It reflects the market rate for experienced GPs. However, it is a median, not an average. The mean (average) is likely higher due to a small number of very high earners.

How superannuation fits in

All minimum and median figures are before tax and before superannuation. The super guarantee requires employers to pay an additional 12% of ordinary time earnings into your super fund. So if you earn $53.07 per hour under the award, your employer must also contribute $6.37 per hour to super. This is on top of your cash wage.

Negotiated salaries and enterprise agreements

Many GPs are not paid exactly the award rate. They may have an individual contract or be covered by an enterprise agreement that offers higher pay. The award is a safety net. If you are negotiating a salary, you can use the award minimum as a starting point and the median as a benchmark.

How the national minimum wage relates

The national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026). But this does not apply to GPs because they are covered by the Medical Practitioners Award, which has higher minimums. The national minimum is a backstop for award-free employees.

Summary

• Legal minimum (award): $53.07 per hour for a starting GP
• Median earnings: $60 per hour ($2,446 per week)
• Super: 12% on top of ordinary time earnings
• Higher rates: Possible under enterprise agreements or individual contracts

For more details on which minimum wage applies to you, see our Which minimum wage applies guide. You can also browse Rate tables for award classifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the legal minimum pay for a GP in Australia?

The legal minimum is set by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020. For a General Practitioner at pay point 1, the minimum hourly rate is $53.07 (from 1 July 2026). Higher pay points apply with experience. A Specialist has a minimum of $61.51 per hour. These rates are the floor; actual pay is often higher.

How does the average GP salary compare to the award minimum?

The median full-time GP earns about $2,446 per week ($60 per hour), according to the ABS. This is well above the award minimum of $53.07 per hour for a starting GP. The average (mean) is likely higher, but the median gives a better picture of typical earnings.

Does the GP award rate include superannuation?

No. Superannuation is paid on top of the award rate. The super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings (from 1 July 2026). So if your minimum hourly rate is $53.07, your employer must also contribute $6.37 per hour to your super fund.

For the published floors, see the rate tables and how the figures work.