GP salary in Australia

How much

do GP´s earn
in Australia?

When comparing General Practitioner (GP) salaries in Australia with those in other countries, Australia ranks third globally in terms of the highest average yearly income, trailing behind Canada and the United States. However, GP salaries in Australia can differ based on various factors such as the city of residence, whether one practices in a metropolitan, regional, or rural area, and whether the practice follows a bulk or mixed billing system. These factors will be further elaborated below.

*All GP salary figures on this page are indicative only and are form trusted external sources.

GP SALARY IN AUSTRALIA VS STANDARD OF LIVING

In general, Australia boasts a lower cost of living compared to many other nations, making it a more affordable place to reside. Furthermore, unlike in some countries, general practitioners in Australia are not paid a fixed salary. Instead, they receive a percentage of the amount they bill, aligning their earnings with the services they provide rather than a predetermined salary.

HOW GP´S WORK IN AUSTRALIA

  • CONTRACTORS

    Unlike most other countries GP´s in Australia work as self- employed contractors and are almost never salaried employees. They are sometimes referred to as Independent Medical Practitioners (IMP´s)

  • BILLINGS

    Australian GP´s bill Medicare or Private Insurance for their consultations and pay a percentage to the practice as a Service Fee. The GP keeps the remainder which is usually 65-70% of total billings. When we talk about earnings we refer to what the GP gets to keep, not the gross billings.

  • TAXATION

    As independent contractors, GPs working in Australia are paid gross billings (before tax) and must pay their own tax to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) They also save for retirement through Superannuation.

FACTORS AFFECTING GP EARNINGS IN AUSTRALIA

In Australia, General practitioners (GPs) typically enjoy a high standard of living and a comfortable lifestyle. The cost of living in Australia is comparatively lower than in many other countries, contributing to the overall financial well-being of GPs. It's essential to note that GPs do not receive a fixed salary; instead, they earn a percentage of their billings. Therefore, discussions about earnings take precedence over traditional salary negotiations, and the billing percentage is a critical aspect of any contractual agreement. Several factors influence a GP's earnings, including but not limited to:

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Patient Caseload
The number of patients a GP sees and treats,

Service Offerings
Specialized services or additional procedures offered.

Location
Variations in demand and billing rates

Working Hours
The hours worked by GPs.

Fee Agreements
Split-fee arrangements with healthcare facilities and insurers

AVERAGE SALARY OF GP´s IN AUSTRALIA

  • AVERAGE FULL TIME SALARY

    The average GP salary in Australia is $334k | £179k pa. for GPs who work 7 or more sessions per week. (a session is a 3.5-4hr block of work known to GP´s as “before lunch” and “after lunch”)

  • AVERAGE PART TIME SALARY

    The annual General Practitioner salary for part-time GPs, working 6 sessions or less per week, is on average of $164k | £87k pa.

  • BILLING TYPES

    General Practitioners in Australia bill in one of three ways:
    1: Private Billing
    2: Bulk Billing (Medicare)
    3: Mixed Billing (Combination of Private and Bulk Billing)

GP BENEFITS AND PERKS

Challenges in Filling General Practitioner Positions in Australia
The scarcity of General Practitioners in various regions of Australia is a well-known issue. Many healthcare facilities encounter difficulties in recruiting FRACGP doctors possessing the necessary credentials. The implementation of the Visas for GPs Initiative on 11 March 2019, the transition from DWS to the new Distribution Priority Areas (DPA) system, and the requirement for practices to acquire a Health Workforce Certificate (HWC) in order to employ overseas trained doctors have further complicated this situation. Consequently, in response to the shortage of GPs, numerous practices have begun providing supplementary benefits and incentives in addition to the already competitive doctor salaries in Australia. The following are some of the commonly offered perks by practices in their quest to attract suitable GPs

Lump sum payments
Certain healthcare practices, frequently larger corporate entities, provide lump sum payments and signing bonuses amounting to approximately $20,000. These lump sum payments are typically associated with specific contractual requirements that must be fulfilled by the general practitioner.

Minimum guarantees
Minimum guarantees are frequently provided as a specified hourly wage for a set duration, such as $150 per hour for 3 months. This practice is prevalent in locum general practitioner positions.

Relocation packages
Relocation packages are designed to encompass various costs, including travel, accommodation, vehicle, and additional expenses. They are implemented with the aim of enticing proficient GPs from different regions. These allowances may be provided as a lump sum or continuous payments, typically contingent on specific contractual obligations.

GP CONSULTATION FEES IN AUSTRALIA

GP practices in Australia function as commercial entities and have the freedom to establish their own fees for GP consultations.

The RACGP offers assistance and recommendations to GPs and practices regarding consultation charges. It emphasizes that in addition to Medical Benefits Schedule (MBS) rebates, practices should factor in the expenses of maintaining a viable business to ensure the delivery of high-quality care to their patients.

To help healthcare facilities establish their charges, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) publishes an annual list of guidelines for GP consultation fees.

AVERAGE GP CONSULTATION FEES IN AUSTRALIA

  • BULK BILLING

    $39.10 per consultation

  • MIXED/PRIVATE BILLING

    $80 per consultation

GP REGISTAR SALARY IN AUSTRALIA

  • GPT1/PRRT1

    Base salary of full-time GP registrar

    $84,888.96 p.a
    +11% superannuation1
    $632.48 per week (38 hours) or $42.96 per hour.

  • GPT2/PRRT2

    Base salary of full-time GP registrar

    $102,060.40 p.a
    +11% superannuation
    $1,962.70 per week (38 hours) or $51.65 per hour.

  • GPT3/PRRT3

    Base salary of full-time GP registrar

    $108,996.16 p.a
    +11% superannuation
    $2,096.08 per week (38 hours) or $55.16 per hour.

GP REGISTRAR SALARY IN AUSTRALIA

  • BULK BILLING (WORKING FULL-TIME)

    $230,000

    Average full-time bulk billing earnings

  • MIXED BILLING (WORKING FULL-TIME)

    $356,000

    Average full-time mixed billing earnings

Read more about GP Salaries in Australia
Making the Move: Transitioning to a GP Job in Australia
The Perks and Challenges of Working as a GP in Australia

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