How to Compare a Paediatrician Job Offer Using Take-Home Pay: A Guide to the Pediatrician Salary in Australia
The pay for paediatricians varies widely by experience and setting; no single figure is published, but award rates for medical practitioners provide a base.
How to Compare a Paediatrician Job Offer Using Take-Home Pay
When you receive a job offer as a paediatrician, the headline figure – the pediatrician salary – is only part of the story. What matters most is the amount that lands in your bank account each fortnight after tax and the Medicare levy. This guide shows you how to compare offers using take-home pay, drawing on official award rates and tax tables.
Understanding the Award Rates for Paediatricians
Paediatricians are covered by the Medical Practitioners Award 2020. Fair Work publishes minimum weekly and hourly rates for each classification. For example, a specialist earns at least $2,570.93 per week ($67.66 per hour), while a senior specialist at pay point 2 earns $2,749.01 per week ($72.35 per hour). These are minimums; your actual salary may be higher, especially in private practice.
Jobs and Skills Australia notes that 75% of paediatricians work full-time, averaging 46 hours per week. However, they do not publish median weekly earnings for this occupation, so you cannot rely on a single 'average' figure. Instead, use the award rates as a baseline and then calculate your expected take-home pay.
From Gross Salary to Take-Home Pay
Your gross salary is what you earn before tax. To find your take-home pay, you need to subtract:
- Income tax using the 2026–27 resident tax rates.
- Medicare levy (2% of taxable income, unless you qualify for a reduction).
The first $18,200 is tax-free. Then you pay 15c per dollar up to $45,000, 30c per dollar up to $135,000, 37c per dollar up to $190,000, and 45c per dollar above that. The Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) can reduce tax by up to $700 if your income is below $37,500, but most paediatricians earn well above that.
For Medicare, the full 2% applies if your taxable income is over $35,013 (single). The thresholds are $28,011 (lower) and $35,013 (upper). If you earn between those, you pay 10c per dollar over the lower threshold. Full-time paediatricians almost always pay the full 2%.
Example Calculation for a Specialist
Suppose you are offered a specialist role at the award minimum of $2,570.93 per week. That’s $133,688 annually (52 weeks). Using the 2026–27 tax rates:
- Tax on first $18,200: $0
- Tax on $18,201 to $45,000: $4,020 (15c per $1 over $18,200)
- Tax on $45,001 to $135,000: $27,000 (30c per $1 over $45,000)
- Total tax on $133,688: $4,020 + ($133,688 - $45,000) * 0.30 = $4,020 + $26,606.40 = $30,626.40
- Medicare levy: $133,688 * 0.02 = $2,673.76
- Total deductions: $33,300.16
- Annual take-home: $100,387.84
- Fortnightly take-home: $3,861.07 (approx)
This is a rough estimate. It excludes HELP/HECS, the Medicare levy surcharge, salary sacrifice, and payroll tax-table rounding. Use the Take-home pay tool for a personalised calculation.
Comparing Job Offers: What to Look For
When comparing offers, consider:
- Base salary vs total package: Some ads quote 'plus super' (super on top) or 'including super'. Super is 12% from 1 July 2026, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. If an offer is $150,000 plus super, your take-home is based on $150,000; super is extra. If it's $150,000 including super, your salary is about $133,929 (since $150,000 / 1.12).
- Penalty rates and overtime: The award provides higher rates for weekends, public holidays, and overtime. These can boost your take-home pay significantly.
- Location and employer: Public hospital salaries often follow award rates. Private practice may offer higher pay but less job security.
Using the Tax Tables
The Australian Taxation Office publishes withholding tax tables for 2026–27. These help employers calculate how much tax to deduct each pay period. You can use the Tax and Medicare guide to understand your marginal rate and plan your budget.
Final Thoughts
A paediatrician salary can vary widely. The key is to focus on after-tax income, not the gross figure. Use the award rates as a starting point, apply the tax and Medicare rules, and factor in super. This approach ensures you compare offers on an equal footing – the money you actually take home.
For more details, see the Benchmarks page for national minimum wage and average earnings, or the Salary packaging guide if your employer offers benefits like a car or novated lease.
Questions
What is the typical paediatrician salary in Australia?
There is no single published figure. Jobs and Skills Australia does not report median weekly earnings for paediatricians. Pay depends on your classification under the Medical Practitioners Award (e.g., registrar, specialist) and whether you work in public or private practice. For example, a specialist under the award earns a minimum of $2,570.93 per week, while a senior specialist can earn up to $2,749.01 per week. Actual salaries may be higher.
How does tax affect my take-home pay as a paediatrician?
Your take-home pay is what reaches your bank account after income tax and the Medicare levy. For 2026–27, tax rates start at nil on the first $18,200, then 15c per $1 up to $45,000, and so on up to 45c per $1 over $190,000. The Medicare levy is 2% of taxable income, but if you earn below $28,011 (single) you pay none, and between $28,011 and $35,013 you pay a reduced rate. Full-time paediatricians typically pay the full 2%.
Does superannuation come out of my paediatrician salary?
Super is paid on top of your salary, not deducted from it. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% of your ordinary time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830 per year. When comparing job offers, check whether the advertised salary is 'plus super' or 'including super'. If it's plus super, your take-home pay is the salary minus tax; super is additional.