General Practitioner Salary: Award Coverage and Award-Free Rates in Australia

Understanding the general practitioner salary landscape

When researching a general practitioner salary in Australia, it is important to distinguish between the legal minimum set by industrial instruments and the typical earnings reported in surveys. The term covers a range of roles: interns, resident medical officers, registrars, senior registrars, career medical practitioners, and senior career medical practitioners. Each classification has its own minimum rate under the Medical Practitioners Award 2020, while median figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show what practitioners actually earn.

Legal minimum rates under the Medical Practitioners Award

The Medical Practitioners Award 2020 [MA000031] is the modern award that covers most employed medical practitioners in hospitals, hospices, community health centres, and similar settings. The Fair Work Commission sets these rates, and the Fair Work Ombudsman provides guidance and enforcement. From the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026, the minimum annual salaries for full-time employees (based on 38 ordinary hours per week) are:

• Intern: $66,432 per year ($1,277.54 per week)
• Resident Medical Practitioner – pay point 1: $70,529 ($1,356.33 per week)
• Registrar – pay point 1: $80,248 ($1,543.23 per week)
• Senior Registrar – pay point 1: $104,874 ($2,016.81 per week)
• Career Medical Practitioner – pay point 1: $105,951 ($2,037.52 per week)
• Senior Career Medical Practitioner – pay point 1: $119,852 ($2,304.85 per week)

These are the minimum rates for adult employees. Progression through pay points occurs with experience. Superannuation of 12% (the super guarantee) is paid on top of these amounts. An enterprise agreement or individual contract can set a higher rate than the award minimum.

How the general practitioner salary compares with award-free minimums

If a medical practitioner is not covered by the Medical Practitioners Award (for example, a self-employed GP or one working under a state system award), the national minimum wage applies for award-free employees. From 1 July 2026, the adult national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week. Casual employees receive a 25% loading, making the casual rate $33.05 per hour. However, it is very rare for a qualified medical practitioner to be paid at the national minimum wage, as the award rates are significantly higher and most employment is award-covered.

Survey data: median earnings for GPs and resident medical officers

The ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, provides median earnings for full-time non-managerial employees. For General Practitioners and Resident Medical Officers, the median full-time weekly earnings before tax are $2,446, and the median hourly rate is $60. These figures are from Jobs and Skills Australia. This is a survey average, not a minimum. It reflects a mix of experience levels and roles. Actual salaries can be higher or lower depending on location, years of experience, and whether the practitioner works in a public hospital, private practice, or rural setting.

Superannuation and other considerations

Employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% on top of ordinary time earnings. For a GP earning the median weekly amount of $2,446, the super contribution would be approximately $293.50 per week. The Medicare levy (2% of taxable income once income exceeds $30,000) may also apply, but the low-income offset can reduce this. These are separate from the salary figure.

Award coverage versus award-free rates

The key distinction for any **general practitioner salary is whether the role is covered by the Medical Practitioners Award or is award-free. Most employed GPs in hospitals and health services are award-covered. Self-employed GPs or those in private practice under a contract for services may not be covered. If award-free, the national minimum wage applies, but this is uncommon. Always check your employment arrangement. For more details on which minimum wage applies, see our Which minimum wage applies guide. For a full list of award rates, see our Rate tables. For an explanation of how these figures are calculated, see How the figures work.

Summary

The legal minimum for a general practitioner salary is set by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020, with rates well above the national minimum wage. The median earnings from the ABS shows that most GPs and resident medical officers earn well above the award minimum. Understanding whether you are award-covered or award-free is the first step to knowing your pay floor.