How much do GPs earn in Australia?
You may be thinking about relocating to Australia and want to know more about your GP salary in Australia. We discuss General Practitioner salaries and give you some guidance on what you can expect.
GPs in Australia generally earn a good income and can afford a comfortable lifestyle. In the majority of cases, GPs relocating from the UK earn at least the same for doing less hours per week. One of our doctors has described working in Australia
‘I have found the working conditions, flexibility, capacity for earning and, above all, lifestyle for my family and I to be far superior to my experience in the UK’
Australia GP Income
Rather than being paid a fixed salary, as a GP you will earn a percentage of billings. The income you receive will very much depend on the number of patients you see but also upon the complexity of the consultations.
Factors which will affect your annual salary
- The percentage of billings you receive
- The number of hours you work
- The number of patients you see
- How many weeks annual leave you take
- The type of patient you are treating ie which Medicare Billing item number you use
General practices in Australia operate as private businesses, either owned by a single GP, GP Partners or larger companies.
Australia Bulk Billing
A bulk billing clinic is one where the practice bills Medicare for the full payment of the patient consultation. The patient presents a Medicare card and is not required to pay towards the consultation.
Medicare is a public health insurance scheme funded by the Australian Government, which provides all Australians, and those with eligible Medicare cards, with access to free or subsidised healthcare.
Mixed Billing
This is where the practice accepts bulk billing consultations as above but will also charge patients for consultations. Usually, patients who are under 16, over 65 and hold health cards are bulk billed and everyone else is private billed. The standard consultation fee for the practice will remain the same. Even in a mixed billing practice, most patients will be bulk billed.
Operating as a private business, GPs are free to determine reasonable fees that are reflective of the services they provide. Most GP practices in Australia now offer mixed billing as standard.
GP Percentage of Billings
As a GP you will be offered somewhere in the region of 60 – 70% of the total billings you generate for the practice. The private consultation fee for the practice will remain the same however the bulk billing fee will vary dependent on the type of consultation. A standard bulk billing consultation is currently $39.75AUD however any additional treatment you provide above this is charged as an add on. Minor surgery, dermatology and skin, and health assessments will substantially increase the billings you achieve.
If you are working full time and seeing 4-6 patients per hour you can expect to earn a GP salary upwards of $250K AUD per year. The potential income is really high with some of our GPs easily earning between $300 – $400K AUD and upwards.
It can take 3-6 months to build up your patient base and become fully booked. It may be much quicker but practices offer you a minimum guarantee for the first 2-3 months whilst you build your patient base. This guarantee is usually $120 – $150 per hour.
GPs we’ve placed in Australia find that their income is far higher than what they earn in the UK and have much more control over what they earn.
GP Tax Rate Australia
Working in Australia, you are classed as a resident for tax purposes.
The following rates for 2023 – 2024
Taxable income Tax on this income
0 – $18,200 Nil
$18,201 – $45,000 19%
$45,001 – $120,000 32.5%
$120,001 – $180,000 37%
$180,001 and over 45%
Further Reading
Is there an Age Limit for GPs?
Useful websites
Medicare
Medicare Benefits Schedule
Australian Tax Office
