How Much Do GPs Earn in Australia?
If you’re considering a move to Australia, understanding GP earnings is often one of the first questions you’ll ask. Below, we outline how GP income works in Australia and what you can realistically expect.
GP Income in Australia – The Big Picture
GPs in Australia generally earn a high income and enjoy a very comfortable lifestyle. In many cases, GPs relocating from overseas earn as much or more than they did previously, while working fewer hours and with greater flexibility.
One GP we supported described their experience like this:
“I’ve found the working conditions, flexibility, earning potential and, above all, the lifestyle for my family and me to be far superior to my experience back home.”
How Are GPs Paid in Australia?
Unlike salaried roles, most GPs in Australia work as independent contractors and are paid a percentage of the billings they generate, rather than a fixed salary.
Your income will depend on:
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How many patients you see
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The complexity and type of consultations
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Your working hours and weeks of leave
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The percentage of billings offered by the practice
General practices operate as private businesses, which may be owned by an individual GP, GP partners, or larger healthcare groups.
Factors That Influence Your GP Income
Your annual earnings are affected by several key factors:
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Percentage of billings (typically 60–70%)
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Hours worked per week
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Patients seen per hour
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Annual leave taken
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Type of consultations and Medicare item numbers used
GPs who offer additional services such as skin procedures, minor surgery, chronic disease management, or health assessments can significantly increase their billings.
Bulk Billing vs Mixed Billing Practices
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 $42.85AUD 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 $360K AUD per year. The potential income is really high with some of our GPs easily earning between $400 – $500K 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.
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.
How Much Can You Earn?
As a guide:
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A full-time GP seeing 4–6 patients per hour can expect to earn $360,000+ AUD per year
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Many experienced GPs earn $400,000–$500,000 AUD or more, depending on workload and services offered
It usually takes 3–6 months to build a full patient base. To support this, most practices offer a minimum income guarantee for the first 2–3 months.
GPs we place consistently report higher earnings and greater control over their income compared to previous roles overseas.
GP Tax Rates in Australia
Most doctors working in Australia are classed as residents for tax purposes.
Income tax rates (2025–2026):
| Taxable Income | Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 – $18,200 | Nil |
| $18,201 – $45,000 | 16% |
| $45,001 – $135,000 | 30% |
| $135,001 – $190,000 | 37% |
| $190,001+ | 45% |
Further Reading
Is there an Age Limit for GPs?
Useful websites
Medicare
Medicare Benefits Schedule
Australian Tax Office
