Highest paying medical jobs in Australia

Key takeaways:

• Many of the highest paying medical jobs in Australia exceed $200k annually, with specialists like psychiatrists, cardiologists, and obstetricians leading the list. 
• Doctors in Australia earn an average of $135k to $155k, while top-earning specialists can reach $240k or more depending on experience and practice type. 
• General practitioners, radiologists, and paediatricians typically earn between $200k to $235k per year, reflecting strong demand across the healthcare system. 
• Nurses and surgeons earn around $80k to $100k, with significant increases for senior, specialist, or private-sector roles. 
• Psychology specialists vary widely, with psychiatrists earning $230k to $250k and clinical psychologists averaging $110k to $130k annually. 
• Australia’s medical landscape is one of the most respected in the world, supported by strong public healthcare systems, advanced private medical networks, and a growing demand for skilled professionals across every specialty.  

Many people pursue medical careers not only for the stability and prestige, but also for the chance to make a tangible impact in their communities. This includes frontline care, specialised treatment, or mental health support. Choosing a medical path often begins with personal interest, academic strengths, and clinical exposure, with many professionals later refining their direction based on lifestyle preferences, work environments, and long-term career goals.  

Another factor to consider is salaries. In this guide, you’ll explore the highest paying roles in medicine, current salary ranges, and what influences earning potential. Whether you’re choosing a specialisation or comparing next steps in your medical career, this breakdown highlights where the top opportunities are. 

• Highest paying medical jobs in Australia 
• How much do doctors earn in Australia 
• Highest paying doctors 
• Highest paid nurses in Australia 
• Highest paying psychology jobs 
• Explore more medical salaries in Australia 

Highest paying teacher jobs in Australia 

Here’s an overview of the top-paying medical roles across the country. Salaries vary widely, from general practitioners and surgeons to highly specialised physicians and psychologists. 

 
How much do doctors earn in Australia 

Doctors are among the highest paid professionals in Australia, with earnings shaped by specialisation, experience, and, most significantly, location. While the national average falls between $135k-$155k, many specialists earn well above $200k each year. The region a doctor works in can make a substantial difference, as demand, cost of living, and workforce shortages all contribute to how much employers are willing to pay. Below is a quick breakdown of how salaries compare across key cities, regions, and states: 

Doctor salaries by city & region (Australia) 

• Major Queensland cities lead, with Brisbane averaging around $180k. 
• Sydney and Melbourne typically range between $135k–$150k. 
• Regional centres such as Launceston and the Gold Coast offer strong earning potential above $140k. 
• Smaller cities including Hobart, Canberra, Darwin, and Perth generally fall between $118k–$120k. 

Doctor salaries by state (Australia) 

• Queensland records the highest average at around $180k. 
• New South Wales and Victoria follow, averaging $127.5k–$150k. 
• ACT, Northern Territory, and Western Australia sit at approximately $120k. 
• South Australia averages around $105k. 
• Tasmania has the lowest statewide average at around $80k. 

Highest paid doctors 

Based on SEEK salary data, the highest-paid educators typically work in tertiary institutions where specialised expertise commands higher pay, while school-based teachers also earn competitive salaries in senior or specialist roles. Here’s how each key position compares: 

General Practitioner salary 

General practitioners provide front-line medical care, diagnosing, treating, and managing a wide range of health conditions for individuals and families. Their work spans routine check-ups, chronic disease management, preventive care, and community health support. 

• Average salary: AUD $215k-$235k per year  
• GP pay varies by practice type, with private clinics, extended hours, and rural placements often offering higher earnings. 

Anaesthetist salary 

Anaesthetists oversee patient sedation and pain management before, during, and after surgical procedures. Their responsibilities include assessing patient risk, monitoring vital functions, and ensuring safe recovery from anaesthesia. 

Average salary: AUD $100k-$120k per year 

Earnings differ based on surgical workload, hospital setting, and seniority, with private practice anaesthetists often exceeding the typical salary range. 

Radiologist salary 

Radiologists specialise in diagnosing diseases and injuries through medical imaging such as X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds. Their role involves interpreting imaging results and working closely with specialists to guide treatment decisions. 

• Average salary: AUD $210k-$225k per year  
• Pay increases with experience and subspecialisation, with interventional radiology and high-demand imaging fields commanding higher salaries. 

Paediatrician salary 

Paediatricians care for infants, children, and adolescents, providing treatment for acute illnesses, chronic conditions, and developmental concerns. They support families with ongoing health guidance and work across hospitals, clinics, and specialised paediatric units. 

• Average salary: AUD $200k–$220k per year  
• Salaries vary depending on the care environment, with private clinics and specialised paediatric services typically offering stronger earning potential. 

Obstetrician salary 

Obstetricians manage pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care, supporting mothers and babies through routine checks and complex maternity situations. Their work often involves on-call duties, labour support, and surgical procedures like caesarean sections. 

• Average salary: AUD $235k-$245k per year  
• Earnings rise significantly in private maternity care, where workload, patient volume, and after-hours commitments influence total income. 

Cardiologist salary 

Cardiologists diagnose and treat heart-related diseases, providing care for conditions such as arrhythmias, heart failure, and cardiovascular risk. Their role requires advanced testing, ongoing monitoring, and coordinating long-term cardiac treatment plans. 

• Average salary: AUD $235k–$240k per year  
• Pay remains consistently high due to the complexity of cardiac care, with senior cardiologists and private specialists earning well beyond the average range. 

Surgeon salary 

Surgeons perform operations to treat injuries, diseases, and deformities, working across fields such as general surgery, orthopaedics, neurosurgery, and plastic surgery. Their responsibilities extend from pre-operative assessment to post-surgical recovery management. 

• Average salary: AUD $80k-$100k per year  
• Income varies significantly by surgical specialty, with senior surgeons in high-demand fields and private practice earning far above the base range. 

Highest paid nurses in Australia 

Nursing remains one of the most in-demand professions nationwide, and the highest paying nursing jobs consistently reward experience, advanced qualifications, and specialised clinical skills. While the typical nurse salary in Australia ranges from $80k-$100k, senior roles such as nurse practitioners, emergency specialists, and remote-area nurses often earn well above this. As with many healthcare roles, location strongly influences pay, with workforce shortages, high-acuity settings, and rural demand driving salaries higher in certain regions. 

Highest paying psychology jobs 

Based on national salary trends, the highest-paying psychology roles are found in clinical and medical pathways where advanced training, accreditation, and specialised expertise command stronger earning potential. Professionals working in psychiatric care or complex clinical settings often earn significantly more than generalised or early-career psychology roles. Here’s how the top positions compare: 

Psychiatrist salary 

Psychiatrists diagnose and treat mental health conditions through a combination of medical evaluation, psychotherapy, and medication management. Their work covers severe mood disorders, anxiety, psychosis, and complex behavioural conditions across hospitals, clinics, and private practices. 

• Average salary: AUD $230k-$250k per year  
• Earnings increase substantially with subspecialties such as child and adolescent psychiatry and are typically higher in private-sector or high-demand locations. 

Clinical Psychologist salary 

Clinical psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat mental health and emotional disorders through evidence-based therapies. They work in hospitals, private clinics, rehabilitation centres, and specialised programs supporting individuals with complex psychological needs. 

• Average salary: AUD $110k-$130k per year  
• Pay varies depending on clinical focus, private billing structures, and whether the psychologist operates independently or within a larger practice. 

Explore more medical salaries in Australia 

Australia offers some of the highest-paying medical careers in the world, with pathways in specialist medicine, nursing, and psychology providing excellent long-term earning potential. Whether you’re comparing your current position or considering a new direction in healthcare, exploring salary insights can help guide smarter career decisions. 

For more detailed information, explore how much doctors make in Australia be exploring our SEEK Career insights. Continue comparing roles across different medical specialisations to discover where your next career opportunity may lie. 

Source: SEEK data, roles based on average advertised salaries of over $150,000 for job ads listed on SEEK from July 23 to June 24 to July 24 to June 25. A minimum threshold of job ads on SEEK is required for a role to appear in this table.