Curious about how much doctors earn in Australia and New Zealand?
Working in Australia, a doctor’s salary in Australia varies depending on factors such as experience, specialization, and location. Despite this, Australia offers very competitive remuneration and beautiful places to locum.
New Zealand has tighter remuneration structures, but more work-life balance, some incredible scenery and a safe community to raise family.
Disclaimer: This guide is intended to give a general guide to doctors salaries, but this may vary significantly. Doctors salaries can vary depending on experience, location, specialization, public or private sector, or healthcare industry factors.
Lets dive in deeper to understand how much you could earn in Australia or New Zealand.
Australia
Junior Doctors
In Australia, first-year house officers typically earn between AUD 60,000 – AUD 80,000 per year, with more experienced residents progressing to around AUD 80,000–100,000. Registrars, who are training toward specialist qualifications, usually earn between AUD 85,000 and 150,000 depending on their specialty.
GP’s
General practitioners, have an average salary that falls within the range of AUD $100,000 to $300,000. Rural hospital GPs can expect to earn between AUD $150,000 – $350,000+ due to the demand of these roles.
Specialists
Specialists are a little harder to generalise as their pay range depending on speicality ranges so much. On average, a specialist earns anywhere from $200,000 – $500,000 annually.
Some of the highest paid specialties are:
- Surgery, (sub-specialties including Neurosurgery, Cardiac Surgery, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon, ENT Surgery, Urology, and Orthopaedics).
- Cardiologist
- Radiologist
- Gynaecologist
- Psychiatry, Palliative Care, and Rehabilitation Medicine are identified as top-earning specialties among locum work.
Rural vs Urban
Doctors wishing to work in more remote or rural areas will find they may earn more compared to their metro colleagues. The government incentives and additional allowances aimed at attracting medical professionals in regions where healthcare might be limited.
New Zealand
In New Zealand, first-year house officers typically earn between NZD 70,000 – NZD 85,000 per year, with more experienced residents progressing to around NZD 80,000–100,000. Registrars, who are training toward specialist qualifications, usually earn between NZD 110,000 and 180,000 depending on their specialty.
GP’s
General practitioners, have an average salary that falls within the range of NZD$160,000 to $250,000.
Specialists
Typically earn NZD 170,000–500,000+, especially in some specialty fields like the ones shown in Australia.
Context & Additional Insights
Relative Pay Rankings
- In Australia, specialist consultants are among the highest-paid professionals (second only to banking), with the average doctor making well above the national average of AUD 68,289.
- In New Zealand, doctors (average salary NZD 187,022) are the highest-paid occupation—outranking law and engineering.
- Locum rates as a senior doctor will often have travel and accommodation covered.
Summary Table
| Country | Junior Doctor | Registrar | GP | Specialist | Other High Earners |
| Australia | AUD 60–100k | AUD 85–150k | AUD 100–300k+ | AUD 200–500k+ (up to >1 M) | Locum work: AUD 2.5–3.5k/day |
| New Zealand | NZD 70–85k | NZD 110–180k | NZD 160–250k | NZD 170–500k+ | — |
