Ophthalmologist Salary: Minimum Rates Under the Medical Practitioners Award
The Fair Work Ombudsman's Medical Practitioners Award sets a minimum annual salary for a Specialist (including ophthalmologists) is $121,535 per year from 1 July 2026, plus 12% super. No survey median is published for this occupation.
Ophthalmologist salary: what the law requires
When you search for an ophthalmologist salary in Australia, you need to separate the legal minimum from survey averages and negotiated pay. The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage, which from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour for adult employees not covered by an award or agreement. But most ophthalmologists are covered by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020 [MA000031], which sets much higher minimum rates.
The award minimum for a specialist
Under the Medical Practitioners Award, an ophthalmologist is classified as a Specialist (clause 16.1(h)). The minimum annual salary for a full-time Specialist from 1 July 2026 is $121,535, which equates to $2,337.21 per week or $61.51 per hour. This is the floor – you cannot be paid less than this for ordinary hours. Higher pay points exist for Senior Specialists and Principal Specialists, with annual salaries up to $154,062. Superannuation of 12% is paid on top of these amounts.
How the national minimum wage fits in
The national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week) applies only to award-free employees. Since ophthalmologists are covered by the Medical Practitioners Award, their minimum is the award rate, not the national minimum. The award rate is significantly higher. If an enterprise agreement applies, it may set an even higher rate.
No official survey average
The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish median earnings for the 6-digit occupation 'Eye Specialists' (ANZSCO 253914). The Jobs and Skills Australia profile notes that median weekly earnings figures are not produced for 6-digit occupations. Therefore, any figure you see online claiming an 'average ophthalmologist salary' is not from the ABS or Fair Work Ombudsman. The only official numbers are the award minima.
Casual loading and junior rates
If an ophthalmologist works as a casual employee, the award requires a 25% loading on the ordinary hourly rate. For a Specialist, that would be $76.89 per hour. Junior rates do not apply to specialists – the award only has junior rates for interns and residents. For award-free employees (rare for this profession), junior percentages are set out in the national minimum wage order.
What about the Fair Work Ombudsman?
The Fair Work Ombudsman enforces the award and national minimum wage. They do not set rates – that is the role of the Fair Work Commission. The Ombudsman provides tools and advice to ensure employers pay correctly.
Key points to remember
- The legal minimum for an ophthalmologist is the Specialist rate under the Medical Practitioners Award: $121,535 per year plus super.
- No official average salary exists for this occupation from the ABS or ATO.
- Enterprise agreements or individual contracts can set higher rates.
- Superannuation guarantee of 12% is paid on top of ordinary time earnings.
For more detail on which pay floor applies to you, see our Which minimum wage applies guide. You can also browse Rate tables for award classifications.
How the figures work
The award rates quoted are from the Fair Work Commission's consolidated modern award effective 1 July 2026. The national minimum wage figures are from the same date. All amounts are before tax and super. Our How the figures work page explains rounding and calculation methods.
This information is for guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the current award or agreement that covers your employment.
Questions people ask next
Does the national minimum wage apply to an ophthalmologist?
The national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026 applies to national-system employees who are award-free and agreement-free. However, most ophthalmologists are covered by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020, which sets a much higher minimum for a Specialist (e.g., $121,535 per year). The award rate overrides the national minimum.
What is the minimum salary for an ophthalmologist under the Medical Practitioners Award?
The award's Specialist classification (which covers ophthalmologists) has a minimum annual salary of $121,535 for a full-time employee from 1 July 2026. Higher classifications such as Senior Specialist or Principal Specialist have higher minima. Superannuation of 12% is paid on top of this salary.
Is there a published average or median salary for ophthalmologists in Australia?
No. The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish median weekly earnings for 6-digit ANZSCO occupations like Eye Specialists (253914). The only official figures are the award minima and the national minimum wage. Actual salaries are negotiated individually or set by enterprise agreements.
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