Understanding your neurosurgeon salary: take-home pay and award rates
Neurosurgeon pay varies widely; the Medical Practitioners Award sets a minimum weekly rate of $2,570.93 for specialists, but actual earnings are often higher.
Neurosurgeon salary: what changes your fortnight
Your neurosurgeon salary is not a single figure. The Australian Bureau of Statistics and Jobs and Skills Australia do not publish a median for this occupation . However, the Medical Practitioners Award sets minimum rates for specialists, which includes neurosurgeons . For 2026-27, a specialist’s minimum weekly pay is $2,570.93. That is $133,688 a year before tax and super. Many neurosurgeons earn well above this, but the award gives you a floor.
How tax and Medicare affect take-home
Using the 2026-27 tax brackets, a $133,688 annual salary falls in the 30% marginal bracket. Tax is $4,020 plus 30c for every dollar over $45,000. That works out to $30,420 in tax. The Medicare levy adds 2% – $2,673.76. Your total deductions are $33,093.76, leaving $100,594.24 a year. Fortnightly, that is $3,869.01. This is your take-home pay if your salary is quoted as ‘plus super’. Super is not deducted from that amount.
The role of super
From 1 July 2026, your employer must pay 12% super on your ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. If your contract says ‘$133,688 plus super’, the super is on top. Your take-home stays at $3,869 a fortnight. If the salary is quoted as ‘inclusive of super’, the super is included in that figure. Check your contract. Use our Take-home pay guide to see your exact numbers.
Medicare levy shading
Full-time neurosurgeons earning above $35,013 pay the full 2%. If your taxable income is between $28,011 to $35,013, the levy is 10c per $1 over $28,011. Below $28,011, no levy. These are the latest published single-person thresholds. The Medicare levy does not change your fortnight if you are well above the threshold.
Fortnightly breakdown for a specialist minimum
| Item | Annual | Fortnightly |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum award salary | $133,688 | $5,141.85 |
| Income tax | $30,420 | $1,170.00 |
| Medicare levy | $2,673.76 | $102.84 |
| Take-home | $100,594.24 | $3,869.01 |
This is a guide only. Your actual neurosurgeon salary may be higher, and your take-home will change with each bracket. Use our Tax and Medicare page to calculate your own.
Key points
- No single neurosurgeon salary figure exists; pay varies by experience, location, and hospital.
- The award minimum for a specialist is $2,570.93 per week.
- Super is 12% from 1 July 2026 and is not deducted from take-home if salary is plus super.
- Medicare levy is 2% for full-time earners above $35,013.
- Fortnightly take-home for the minimum award salary is about $3,869 after tax and Medicare.
Three FAQs
How is my neurosurgeon salary taxed? Your salary is taxed using the 2026-27 resident tax brackets: nil up to $18,200, then 15c per $1 over $18,200 up to $45,000, then 30c up to $135,000, then 37c up to $190,000, then 45c above. You also pay the Medicare levy of 2% on taxable income, with shading for low incomes.
Does super affect my take-home pay? Yes, super is separate. If your contract says 'plus super, the 12% super contribution (from 1 July 2026) is paid on top of your salary and does not reduce your take-home. Your take-home is your salary minus tax and Medicare.
What are the Medicare levy thresholds? For 2026-27, single person pays full 2% if taxable income is over $35,013. Between $28,011 and $35,013, the levy is 10c per $1 over $28,001. Below $28,011 no levy.
Questions
How is my neurosurgeon salary taxed?
Your salary is taxed using the 2026-27 resident tax brackets: nil up to $18,200, then 15c per $1 over $18,200 up to $45,000, then 30c up to $135,000, then 37c up to $190,000, then 45c above. You also pay the Medicare levy of 2% on taxable income, with shading for low incomes.
Does super affect my take-home pay?
Super is separate. If your contract says 'plus super, the 12% super contribution (from 1 July 2026) is paid on top of your salary and does not reduce your take-home. Your take-home is your salary minus tax and Medicare.
What are the Medicare levy thresholds?
For 2026-27, single person pays full 2% if taxable income is over $35,013. Between $28,011 and $35,013, the levy is 10c per $1 over $28,001. Below $28,011 no levy.