Vet salary: from award minimums to median earnings to take-home pay
Vet salary varies widely: minimum award rates for veterinary surgeons start at $67,582 annually, while median full-time earnings are $2,413 per week ($64 per hour).
Understanding vet salary: gross, package and take-home
When you see a job ad that says "vet salary $80,000 plus super, that is the gross annual amount. The total package includes the 12% super (from 1 July 2026) is added on top. Your take-home pay is what reaches your bank account after income tax and the Medicare levy. The difference between gross and take-home can be thousands of dollars.
Award minimum rates for veterinary surgeons
Fair Work Ombudsman publishes the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award. The minimum annual salary for Level 1A is $67,582. The hourly rate is $34.20. These are the legal minimums. Most experienced vets earn more. The award also has levels up to Level 4 at $95,593.
Median earnings from the Australian Bureau of Statistics
Jobs and Skills Australia reports median weekly earnings for veterinarians at $2,413 per week. That is $64 per hour. That is the median for full-time non-managerial employees. The average full-time hours are 45 hours per week.
From gross to take-home: tax and Medicare
Using the 2026–27 tax rates, the first $18,200 is tax-free. Then 15c per $1 up to $45,000, then 30c per $1 up to $135,000. The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income. For a full-time employee, the full 2% applies. The single lower threshold is $28,011 and upper $35,013. If your income is between those, the levy is reduced. The levy is calculated after tax.
For example, a vet earning the median $2,413 per week ($125,476 annually) would have tax and Medicare deducted. The exact take-home depends on your circumstances. Use the Take-home pay calculator for your situation.
Super is not deducted from take-home
When a job ad says "plus super", the super is not deducted from your salary. It is paid on top by the employer. The super guarantee is 12% from 1 July 2026. Your take-home is based on your gross salary, not including super. See Super for more.
Salary packaging can change take-home
If you salary sacrifice, your taxable income reduces, so your take-home may be higher. But the Medicare levy still applies. Check with your employer.
Summary
Vet salary varies. The award minimums are a floor. The median is higher. Your take-home depends on tax, Medicare, and any salary packaging. Always compare gross salary, not package. Use the Tax and Medicare guide to estimate your after-tax pay.
Questions
What is the minimum vet salary under the award?
Under the Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award, veterinary surgeons have minimum annual salaries starting at $67,582 for Level 1A ($34.20 per hour). These are the legal minimums. Most experienced vets earn more.
How does the Medicare levy affect my take-home pay?
The Medicare levy is 2% of your taxable income. For a full-time employee, the full 2% applies. The single lower threshold is $28,011 and upper $35,013; if your income is between those, the levy is reduced. The levy is calculated after tax.
What is the median vet salary in Australia?
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median weekly earnings for veterinarians is $2,413 per week before tax, which is $64 per hour. That is the median for full-time non-managerial employees.