Paediatrician salary: which Australian pay floor applies and what people mix up

Understanding the paediatrician salary floor

When you search for a "paediatrician salary" in Australia, you will see a wide range of figures. The legal minimum is set by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020, which the Fair Work Commission reviews each year. As of 1 July 2026, the minimum annual salary for a Specialist (the classification that covers most paediatricians) is $121,535. That works out to $61.51 per hour for a full-time employee working 38 ordinary hours per week. On top of that, employers must pay superannuation guarantee contributions of 12% of ordinary time earnings.

How the award minimum compares with the national minimum wage

The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week for an adult employee. However, that rate applies only to award-free employees. Paediatricians are covered by a modern award, so the award rate is the legal floor. The Specialist minimum hourly rate ($61.51) is more than double the national minimum. This is because medical practitioners have specialised skills and higher training requirements.

What the award says about classifications

The Medical Practitioners Award 2020 has several classifications: Intern, Resident Medical Officer, Registrar, Specialist, and Senior Specialist. A paediatrician who has completed specialist training and holds a fellowship (e.g., FRACP) would typically be classified as a Specialist or Senior Specialist. The award sets pay points for each classification. For a Specialist, the minimum annual salary is $121,535. For a Senior Specialist, pay point 1 is $129,953, rising to $150,985 at pay point 5. These rates are the minimum; an employer and employee can agree on a higher salary, and enterprise agreements may also set higher rates.

Why actual paediatrician salaries vary

The award minimum is not the same as the market rate. Many paediatricians earn well above the award, especially those in private practice or with many years of experience. The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish median weekly earnings for paediatricians at the 6-digit ANZSCO level (253321), so there is no official survey average. According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median age of paediatricians is 41 years, 67% are female, and 75% work full time, averaging 46 hours per week. Those hours often include on-call or overtime, which may attract penalty rates under the award.

What people mix up about paediatrician pay

A common mistake is to assume the national minimum wage applies to all workers. For paediatricians, the award rate is the floor. Another mix-up is confusing the award minimum with the median or average salary. Without a published median from the ABS, any figure you see online may be from a small survey or a recruitment site and should be treated with caution. Also, remember that superannuation is paid on top of the salary – the award rates quoted do not include super. The 12% super guarantee is an additional employer cost.

How to check your correct pay floor

If you are a paediatrician or employ one, start by identifying whether the Medical Practitioners Award 2020 covers you. If it does, the minimum rates in clause 16.1 apply. If you are covered by an enterprise agreement, that agreement may set higher rates. For award-free employees (rare for paediatricians), the national minimum wage applies. You can use our Which minimum wage applies guide to determine your coverage, or visit our Rate tables for the latest award and national minimum figures.

The role of the Fair Work Commission and Fair Work Ombudsman

The Fair Work Commission sets the national minimum wage and reviews modern awards each year. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides advice and enforces compliance. If you believe you are being paid below the award minimum, you can contact the Ombudsman for help. Remember, the award minimum is a legal entitlement – you cannot be paid less, even if you agree to it.

Superannuation and other payments

All the award rates mentioned are before tax and do not include superannuation. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% of ordinary time earnings. So the total employment cost for a Specialist paediatrician on the minimum award rate is at least $121,535 plus $14,584.20 in super, totalling $136,119.20 per year. This is an important point when comparing salary offers.

FAQs

Is the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour the pay floor for paediatricians?

No. Paediatricians are covered by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020, which sets higher minimum rates. The national minimum wage ($26.44/h from 1 July 2026) is a backstop for award-free employees, but paediatricians are not award-free. The award minimum for a Specialist is $61.51/h, so that is the legal floor.

Does the Medical Practitioners Award apply to all paediatricians?

The award covers most medical practitioners, including paediatricians, unless they are covered by an enterprise agreement or are in the state public sector with a different state award. Always check your employment instrument. If no award or agreement applies, the national minimum wage is the fallback, but that is rare for qualified paediatricians.

What is the typical paediatrician salary in Australia?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish median earnings for paediatricians at the 6-digit ANZSCO level. The award minimum gives a starting point, but actual salaries vary by experience, location, public vs private practice, and whether the doctor has a fellowship. For a reliable figure, consult your employer, union, or professional body.

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