Does the Medical Practitioners Award cover all doctors?

The award covers most medical practitioners in Australia, including interns, residents, registrars, career medical practitioners, and specialists. However, some doctors may be excluded if they are covered by an enterprise agreement, a state public sector award, or are senior executives not covered by any award. Always check your employment contract and the award's coverage clause.

How do the award rates compare to the national minimum wage?

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour. All award rates for doctors are significantly higher. For example, an intern's minimum hourly rate is $33.62, and a senior specialist can earn $84.05 per hour. The award sets the legal minimum for covered employees; employers can pay more but not less.

Doctor salary under the Medical Practitioners Award 2020: minimum rates and award coverage

Q: What about superannuation on top of the doctor salary?

Superannuation is an employer payment on top of the salary. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. For a full-time intern earning $1,277.54 per week, the employer must also contribute an additional $153.30 per week into the employee's super fund.

The minimum salary for a doctor under the Medical Practitioners Award 2020 ranges from $33.62 per hour for an intern to over $85 per hour for a principal specialist, with superannuation on top.

Doctor salary minimums under the Medical Practitioners Award 2020

When discussing a doctor salary in Australia, the legal minimum is not the national minimum wage but the rates set by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020 (MA000031). This award covers most medical practitioners, from interns to senior specialists, and provides a structured pay scale that is well above the adult national minimum of $26.44 per hour (from 1 July 2026).

Award coverage versus award-free rates

The Medical Practitioners Award applies to employers of medical practitioners throughout Australia, excluding those covered by a modern enterprise award, a state public sector award, or employees excluded by the Fair Work Act. If you are a doctor working in a private hospital, clinic, or practice, you are likely covered by this award. However, some doctors—such as those in senior management roles or those covered by an enterprise agreement—may not be award-covered. For award-free employees, the national minimum wage applies, but this is rare for qualified medical practitioners.

Minimum rates for doctors (effective 1 July 2026)

The award sets minimum annual salaries and hourly rates for full-time employees working 38 ordinary hours per week. Below are key classifications from the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guide:

Intern: $33.62 per hour ($1,277.54 per week)
Resident medical practitioner: from $35.69 (pay point 1) to $37.49 (pay point 3)
Registrar: from $40.61 (pay point 1) to $45.56 (pay point 4)
Senior registrar: from $53.07 (pay point 1) to $55.17 (pay point 2)
Career medical practitioner: from $53.62 (pay point 1) to $58.80 (pay point 4)
Senior career medical practitioner: from $60.65 (pay point 1) to $66.65 (pay point 4)
Specialist: $67.66 per hour
Senior specialist: from $72.35 (pay point 1) to $84.05 (pay point 5)
Principal specialist: $85.77 per hour

These rates are the legal minimum. Many doctors earn more through enterprise agreements, individual contracts, or private practice arrangements.

How the award rates compare to the national minimum

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour. Even the lowest doctor classification (intern) is 27% higher. The award also includes penalty rates for weekends, public holidays, overtime, and recall to duty. For example, an intern working on a Saturday or Sunday receives $50.43 per hour, and on a public holiday $84.05 per hour.

Superannuation is on top

All minimum rates are before superannuation. Employers must pay an additional 12% super guarantee on ordinary time earnings. For a full-time intern earning $1,277.54 per week, the employer contributes an extra $153.30 per week into the employee's super fund.

Where to find the exact rates

For the most up-to-date rates, refer to the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guide for the Medical Practitioners Award. You can also use the Rate tables on this site to compare award rates with the national minimum. Our Guides explain how to determine which award applies to your role.

Legal minimum vs. survey averages vs. negotiated salary

It is important to separate the legal minimum from other figures. The award rates above are the floor. Survey averages from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show that full-time adult ordinary-time earnings were $2,083.70 per week in May 2026, but that includes all occupations. A doctor's actual salary can be much higher, especially for specialists in private practice. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) publishes taxable income data by occupation, but that reflects actual earnings, not minimums. This article focuses on the legal minimum under the award.

What if you are award-free?

If a doctor is not covered by any award or enterprise agreement, the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour applies. However, this is uncommon for qualified medical practitioners. Most doctors are covered by the Medical Practitioners Award or a state public sector award. Always check your employment contract and consult the Fair Work Ombudsman if unsure.

Summary

The doctor salary floor is set by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020, with rates ranging from $33.62 per hour for interns to $85.77 for principal specialists. These rates are significantly above the national minimum wage and include penalty rates. Superannuation of 12% is paid on top. For precise figures, always refer to the award or your enterprise agreement.