A Doctors Life in Australia: The Salary, Lifestyle, and Training
It’s very common to hear of doctors wanting to move to Australia, world-renowned for its high salary, commitment to work-life balance and dedication to the best training available.
The land down under sounds almost too good to be true, so let’s take a look at three key elements of every doctor’s decision before taking any new role – Salary, lifestyle and learning.
A Doctor Salary in Australia
Understandably salaries will vary between different locations as each state government plays a role in setting the rate of pay, but below outlines an average salary in Australia.
Something to keep in mind when considering the salary for a doctor’s role in Australia, if it is not clearly outlined otherwise is that doctors that work outside of their standard 38 hour work roster each week will be paid extra through penalty rates. There are also extra penalty rates for doctors who are scheduled for shifts during weekends or public holidays.
With all the above taken into consideration, an average base rate for doctors salaries in Australia are:
- Resident: AU$60,000 – $80,000
- Registrar: AU$65,000 – $100,000
- Consultant: AU$120,000 – $250,000
In addition to your agreed salary and any extra penalty payments you may accrue, most Australian hospital will also offer you:
- Superannuation: A standard government requirement. Superannuation is paid on top of your salary and if you do decide to return to your home country, you can apply to have your superannuation contributions released once you leave Australia.
- Tax benefits: Doctors across Australia can choose to salary sacrifice a portion of their pay, which allows them to minimise the amount of tax they have to pay. Depending on the hospital, up to 30 percent of income is allowed to be tax-exempt. This is something you should discuss with your directors upon arriving in Australia.
The Australian Lifestyle
Australia is known for its fantastic work-life balance, which is even more evident in the medical sector. Generally, at most hospitals, doctors will receive up to five weeks of paid annual leave each year.
Exploring Australia during this ample time off will be easy with a never-ending list of sights to see and experiences to be had. Australia has an incredible variety of natural wonders from beaches to rainforests, desert and bustling cities, you’ll be spoilt for choice when deciding where to visit on your next holiday.
The Australian work-life balance is easily one of the best in the world, with time to experience the laid back Australian lifestyle at every opportunity.
Training on the Job
Australian hospitals are renowned for having very high training standards. The development opportunities for doctors and all medical staff in Australian hospitals are above average, with some of the best facilities in the world.
A locum or permanent doctors job in Australia allows doctors to learn from leading medical professionals and work alongside them, whilst making use of incredible healthcare facilities, which are ranked as global leaders in the medical industry.
The opportunities to learn and grow in a doctor’s job are even more abundant in remote or rural locum positions. As doctors are generally more in touch with the community and have a wider range of responsibility in remote areas due to lower levels of staff, the training and experience as they learn is often first-hand; A great role for those who thrive under pressure.
Thinking About Making the Move to Australia?
The land down under is abundant with professional benefits and lifestyle advantages for doctors who choose to call Australia home. If you’re ready to start a permanent or locum placement in Australia, contact our team at Jon & Jon Medical today and we can help find the perfect role for you.