Neurologist salary in Australia: what you actually take home after tax and Medicare

Understanding your neurologist salary after tax

If you're a neurologist in Australia or considering the career, you're likely focused on the figure that lands in your bank account each fortnight. The gross salary you see in a job advertisement or hear about from colleagues is only part of the picture. After income tax, the Medicare levy, and superannuation (if your salary is quoted as plus super), your take-home pay can be quite different.

This guide walks through how an Australian resident neurologist can estimate their after-tax income using the latest tax rates and Medicare thresholds for 2026-27. We'll use publicly available data from the Australian Taxation Office, Fair Work, and Jobs and Skills Australia to give you a realistic view.

What the data says about neurologist pay

According to the Australian Taxation Office's latest statistics, the average taxable income for neurologists is $298,543 for men and $155,217 for women. These figures come from tax returns and reflect a mix of public hospital employment, private practice, and varying years of experience. Jobs and Skills Australia reports that there are about 570 neurologists employed in Australia, with a median age of 45 and a 38% female share. However, median weekly earnings are not published for this occupation, so the ATO averages are the best publicly available benchmark.

It's important to note that neurologist salaries can vary widely. A neurologist early in their career working in a public hospital may earn less than a senior specialist in private practice. The Fair Work Medical Practitioners Award sets minimum rates for doctors in training and career medical practitioners, but specialists are often covered by enterprise agreements or individual contracts. For example, a registrar (doctor in training) earns between $1,543 and $1,679 per week under the award, while a senior career medical practitioner can earn up to $2,532 per week. Specialist rates are not listed in the award summary, so market rates apply.

Estimating your take-home pay

To work out what clears after tax, start with your gross annual salary. Let's use a hypothetical neurologist earning $250,000 per year (a mid-range figure based on the ATO averages). This is a resident for tax purposes, with no HELP/HECS debt or Medicare levy surcharge, and no salary sacrifice arrangements.

Step 1: Income tax

For 2026-27, the tax brackets are:

• $0 – $18,200: Nil
• $18,201 – $45,000: 15c for each $1 over $18,200
• $45,001 – $135,000: $4,020 plus 30c for each $1 over $45,000
• $135,001 – $190,000: $31,020 plus 37c for each $1 over $135,000
• Over $190,000: $51,370 plus 45c for each $1 over $190,000

On $250,000:

• Tax on first $190,000 = $51,370
• Tax on remaining $60,000 at 45c = $27,000
• Total tax = $78,370

You may also be eligible for the Low Income Tax Offset (LITO), but at $250,000 your taxable income is well above the phase-out range, so you receive no offset.

Step 2: Medicare levy

The Medicare levy is 2% of taxable income for full-time earners. The latest single-person thresholds are $28,011 and $35,013. Since $250,000 is far above the upper threshold, you pay the full 2%: $5,000.

Step 3: Superannuation

If your salary is quoted as 'plus super', your employer contributes an additional 12% (from 1 July 2026) up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. On $250,000, the super contribution would be $30,000, but the base cap limits it to $32,499.60 (12% of $270,830). However, super is not deducted from your take-home pay; it's an extra benefit. If your salary is quoted as 'including super', then the super component is part of your package and your taxable income is lower.

For this example, assume the $250,000 is your base salary plus super. Your taxable income remains $250,000, and super is additional.

Step 4: Take-home pay

After tax ($78,370) and Medicare ($5,000), your annual take-home is $166,630. Divide by 26 fortnights: approximately $6,409 per fortnight. This is before any salary sacrifice arrangements, which could reduce your taxable income further.

Factors that change the numbers

Your actual take-home will differ if you:

• Work part-time (the average full-time hours for neurologists is 48 hours per week, but 27% work part-time)
• Have a HECS/HELP debt (compulsory repayments start at 1% of income above $60,000)
• Pay the Medicare levy surcharge (if you don't have appropriate private hospital cover and earn above $93,000 single)
• Use salary packaging for items like a car or novated lease
• Receive allowances or penalty rates (common in hospital settings)

Using our tools to get your personalised estimate

To see your own after-tax income, try our Take-home pay calculator. It uses the latest tax rates and Medicare thresholds. You can also explore Tax and Medicare for a deeper look at how the levy works, or Super to understand your retirement savings.

The bottom line on neurologist salary

The neurologist salary in Australia is among the highest in medicine, but the amount you actually take home depends on your specific circumstances. The ATO averages give a ballpark, but your individual tax situation, super arrangements, and deductions will determine your net pay. Always consult a tax professional for advice tailored to your situation.