What is the typical salary for an oncologist in Australia?

The ABS does not release a median weekly earnings figure for medical oncologists. The most recent data from Jobs and Skills Australia (based on the 2021 Census) shows 930 employed medical oncologists, with 79% working full‑time and an average full‑time week of 47 hours. For a broad comparison, the national full‑time adult ordinary‑time average is $2,083.70 a week ($108,352 a year), and the full‑time median across all occupations is about $1,741 a week ($90,532 a year).

How does an oncologist’s pay compare with the national average?

Because no official median is published for medical oncologists, a direct comparison is not possible. However, medical oncologists are classified as Health Professionals, a sub‑group that typically earns above the all‑occupations average. The ABS reports that Professionals as a whole had a median hourly earnings of $64.50 in May 2025, compared with $47.90 for all occupations. Oncologists’ long training and high responsibility suggest earnings well above the national full‑time average, but no precise figure is available.

What factors influence an oncologist’s salary in Australia?

Pay for medical oncologists varies by years of experience, geographic location, and whether they work in the public or private sector. The ABS state‑by‑state full‑time averages range from $96,008 in Tasmania to $119,090 in the ACT. Oncologists in private practice may earn more than those in public hospitals, but the ABS does not break down earnings by sector for this occupation. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour ($52,255 a year on 38 hours), which is far below the level expected for a specialist medical role.

Oncologist salary in Australia: how it compares to the national full‑time average

Where an oncologist salary sits against the Australian full‑time average

If you are researching an oncologist salary in Australia, the most authoritative source is the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). However, the ABS does not publish a median weekly earnings figure for the specific occupation of medical oncologist (ANZSCO 253314). The Jobs and Skills Australia profile for medical oncologists, based on the 2021 Census and the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, notes that median weekly earnings are not available because the sample size is too small to produce a reliable estimate.

What the official data tells us

According to Jobs and Skills Australia, there were 930 employed medical oncologists at the 2021 Census. Of these, 79% worked full‑time, compared with 64% for all occupations. The average full‑time hours worked per week were 47 hours, above the all‑occupations average of 44 hours. The median age was 43 years, and women made up 49% of the workforce.

For a benchmark, the national full‑time adult ordinary‑time average from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026 is $2,083.70 a week, or about $108,352 a year (multiplied by 52 weeks). This is the figure used by the Average line tool to draw the line against which all salaries are compared.

Other key benchmarks from the ABS:

Full‑time median earnings (all employees, May 2025): about $1,741 a week ($90,532 a year).
All‑employees median earnings: about $1,436 a week ($74,672 a year).
Men’s full‑time ordinary‑time average: about $2,181 a week ($113,412 a year).
Women’s full‑time ordinary‑time average: about $1,934.50 a week ($100,594 a year).

How oncologists compare with other professionals

While no specific figure exists for medical oncologists, the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey (May 2025) shows that Professionals as a broad group had a median hourly earnings of $64.50, well above the all‑occupations median of $47.90. Medical oncologists are highly specialised professionals with lengthy training, so it is reasonable to expect their earnings to be significantly above the national full‑time average. However, without a published median, any precise claim would be speculation.

State and territory variations

The full‑time average varies across Australia. The ABS Average Weekly Earnings for May 2026 gives these state figures (annualised):

New South Wales: $2,108.80 a week ($109,658 a year)
Victoria: $2,041.10 a week ($106,137 a year)
Queensland: $2,039.70 a week ($106,064 a year)
South Australia: $1,970.20 a week ($102,450 a year)
Western Australia: $2,227.40 a week ($115,825 a year)
Tasmania: $1,846.30 a week ($96,008 a year)
Northern Territory: $1,984.10 a week ($103,173 a year)
Australian Capital Territory: $2,290.20 a week ($119,090 a year)

Oncologists working in the ACT or Western Australia may earn more than those in Tasmania or South Australia, but the ABS does not break down earnings by state for this occupation.

The national minimum wage as a floor

From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 an hour, or $1,004.90 a week for a 38‑hour week, equating to about $52,255 a year. Award minimums rose by 4.75% from the same date. A medical oncologist’s salary will be many times this floor, but the exact multiple is not published.

Tax considerations

For the 2026–27 income year, resident tax rates are:

Nil on the first $18,200
15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
45% on income above $190,000

Plus a 2% Medicare levy (with possible reductions for low‑income earners). An oncologist earning above the national full‑time average would fall into the 30% or 37% bracket, depending on exact earnings.

Where to find more information

Place a salary on the line to see how any figure compares with the national full‑time average.
Job medians for other occupations where the ABS does publish a median.
States and territories for full‑time averages by location.
How the figures are set explains the methodology behind the ABS surveys.
About this site for more context on the Average line tool.

Summary

The official ABS data does not provide a median weekly earnings figure for medical oncologists. The national full‑time average of $108,352 a year is the best available benchmark. Given the occupation’s high skill level and long hours, an oncologist salary is almost certainly above this line, but the exact amount is not published by the ABS or other official sources.