GP Salary: What You Actually Take Home After Tax and Medicare

GP Salary: Understanding Your Take-Home Pay

When you receive a job offer as a general practitioner, the headline figure is often the annual salary before tax. But what really matters is the amount that reaches your bank account each fortnight after income tax and the Medicare levy. This guide helps you compare offers using real Australian data.

Median GP Salary from the ABS

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the median full-time weekly earnings for general practitioners and resident medical officers is $2,446 per week, or about $127,192 per year (). This is the midpoint for non-managerial full-time employees. Keep in mind that many GPs work as contractors or in private practice, where earnings can be significantly higher or lower depending on billing rates and practice costs.

Award Rates as a Baseline

The Fair Work Ombudsman’s Medical Practitioners Award sets minimum rates for employees. For example, a registrar at pay point 1 earns $1,543.23 per week, while a specialist specialist earns $2,570.93 per week (). These are legal minimums; many GPs earn above award, especially after fellowship.

Calculating Take-Home Pay

For the 2026–27 tax year, use these rates:

• Tax-free threshold: First $18,200 taxed at 0%
• $18,201 – $45,000: 15c per $1 over $18,200
• $45,001 – $135,000: $4,020 plus 30c per $1 over $45,000
• $135,001 – $190,000: $31,020 plus 37c per $1 over $135,000
• Over $190,000: $51,370 plus 45c per $1 over $190,000

Medicare levy: 2% of taxable income, but if you earn between $28,011 and $35,013, you pay a reduced rate via a shading formula. Full-time salaries above $35,013 pay the full 2%.

Low Income Tax Offset (LITO): Up to $700 for incomes up to $37,500, then phases out. For the median GP salary of $127,192, LITO is not applicable.

Example calculation for $127,192 annual salary:

• Tax: $4,020 + 0.30 × ($127,192 – $45,000) = $4,020 + $24,657.60 = $28,677.60
• Medicare levy: 2% × $127,192 = $2,543.84
• Total deductions: $31,221.44
• Take-home: $127,192 – $31,221.44 = $95,970.56 per year, or $1,845.59 per week, $3,691.18 per fortnight.

This is an estimate only. Your actual tax may vary due to HELP/HECS, salary sacrifice, or the Medicare levy surcharge if you don’t have private hospital cover.

Factors That Affect Your GP Salary

• Location: Rural and remote areas often have higher pay due to government incentives.
• Billing model: In private practice, GPs typically earn 55% to 75% of their billings after practice costs, according to the GPRA ().
• Experience: Post-fellowship GPs earn more than registrars.
• Hours: The average full-time GP works 45 hours per week, but many work part-time.

Comparing Job Offers

When you see a job ad, look for:

• Base salary (before tax)
• Superannuation: 12% from 1 July 2026, often stated as “plus super”. Super is not part of your take-home.
• Salary packaging: Some public hospitals offer tax-free benefits like meals and accommodation.
• Penalty rates: If you work weekends or public holidays, award rates apply (e.g., Saturday and Sunday rates are 1.5x to 2x).

Use the Take-home pay calculator on this site to estimate your net income. Also check the Tax and Medicare guide for the latest thresholds.

Final Thoughts

The term “gp salary” covers a wide range. The median of $2,446 per week is a useful benchmark, but your actual take-home depends on your specific circumstances. Always consider the full package: base pay, super, leave, and any bonuses. For the most accurate estimate, use the ATO’s tax tables or our Clearance tool.

Remember, the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour or $1,004.90 per week – a GP salary is well above that, but understanding the deductions is key to knowing what you’ll actually earn.