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Ophthalmologist salary: how it compares with the national full‑time average

The ABS does not publish a median weekly earnings figure for ophthalmologists, but the Fair Work Medical Practitioners Award sets a minimum weekly rate of $2,570.93 for a Specialist, well above the national full‑time average of $2,083.70.

This sits on the Australian full-time average.

Week, hour, and a tax sketch

$2,084 a week · $54.83 an hour if spread over 38 hours

About $83,159 after resident income tax and a 2% Medicare levy.

2026–27 resident rates and a 2% Medicare levy. Not a tax assessment.Open the full line

Overview

Ophthalmologists (eye specialists) are medical practitioners who diagnose and treat diseases of the eye. Their earnings vary widely depending on whether they work in the public hospital system, in private practice, or a mix of both. The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish a median weekly earnings figure for this occupation – the Jobs and Skills Australia profile for Eye Specialists notes that median weekly earnings are ‘N/A’ because the data is not available for 6‑digit ANZSCO codes. However, we can use the Fair Work Medical Practitioners Award to understand the minimum pay for a Specialist, and compare it with the national full‑time average.

National context

The national full‑time adult ordinary‑time average is $2,083.70 a week, or about $108,352 a year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). This is the reference line used on this site. The all‑employees median (including part‑time) is about $74,100 a year, and the full‑time median is about $90,532 a year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025). The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 an hour, $1,004.90 a week, or $52,255 a year on a 38‑hour week.

Ophthalmologists are highly trained specialists. The typical path involves medical school, internship, residency, and a five‑year ophthalmology training program. As a result, their earnings are well above the national average.

Award minimums

The Fair Work Medical Practitioners Award 2026 (effective from 1 July 2026) sets minimum weekly rates for doctors. For a Specialist (the classification that covers ophthalmologists who are not in training), the minimum weekly pay is $2,570.93, which equates to $67.66 per hour on a 38‑hour week. That works out to about $133,688 a year before tax. There are also higher classifications for Senior Specialists, with rates up to $3,193.92 per week.

It is important to note that these are minimum rates under the award. Many ophthalmologists in private practice earn significantly more – often $300,000 to $500,000 or more per year – but the ABS does not publish a precise median for the occupation. The award minimum is a useful floor for comparison.

Take‑home pay example

Using the 2026‑27 tax rates and the 2% Medicare levy, here is an illustrative take‑home calculation for a Specialist on the award minimum:

  • Annual salary: $133,688
  • Tax on $133,688: $18,200 tax‑free; $26,800 at 15% = $4,020; $90,000 at 30% = $27,000; remaining $8,688 at 37% = $3,214.56. Total tax = $34,234.56 (rounded to $34,235).
  • Medicare levy (2%): $2,673.76
  • Net annual: $133,688 – $34,235 – $2,674 = $96,779 (approx. $1,861 per week).

For comparison, a worker on the national full‑time average of $108,352 would pay about $25,967 in tax and $2,167 in Medicare levy, leaving about $80,218 a year ($1,542 a week). So even at the award minimum, an ophthalmologist takes home about $320 more per week than the average full‑time worker.

If an ophthalmologist earns a more typical private‑practice income of, say, $350,000, the tax would be higher (37% on income between $190,000 and $350,000, plus 45% above $190,000 for the portion over $190,000), but the net weekly pay would be substantially above the award example.

State comparisons

State full‑time averages vary, and an ophthalmologist’s pay may also differ by location. The highest state average is the Australian Capital Territory ($119,090 a year), followed by Western Australia ($115,825) and New South Wales ($109,658). The lowest is Tasmania ($96,008). An ophthalmologist on the award minimum ($133,688) would be above every state average, even before accounting for private‑practice earnings.

How the figures are set

The national average is drawn from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey, released twice a year (May and November). The award rates are set by the Fair Work Commission after annual wage reviews. For more detail on how these numbers are compiled, see How the figures are set.

Putting your own salary on the line

If you are an ophthalmologist (or any other worker), you can compare your own salary with the national average using our tool. Place a salary on the line to see where it sits against the ABS full‑time average, the median, and the minimum wage.

Key takeaways

  • The ABS does not publish a median weekly earnings figure for ophthalmologists.
  • The Fair Work award minimum for a Specialist is $2,570.93 per week ($133,688 a year), well above the national full‑time average of $2,083.70.
  • After tax, a Specialist on the award minimum takes home about $1,861 per week, compared with $1,542 for the average full‑time worker.
  • Many ophthalmologists in private practice earn much more than the award minimum.
  • State averages range from $96,008 (Tasmania) to $119,090 (ACT); the award minimum exceeds all of them.

Questions

What is the average ophthalmologist salary in Australia?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not publish a median weekly earnings figure for the occupation ‘Eye Specialist’ (ANZSCO 253914). The most recent ABS Employee Earnings survey (August 2025) does not cover 6‑digit occupations. However, the Fair Work Medical Practitioners Award 2026 sets a minimum weekly rate of $2,570.93 for a full‑time Specialist (about $133,688 a year on 38 hours). Many ophthalmologists in private practice earn substantially more than this award minimum.

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

The national full‑time adult ordinary‑time average is $2,083.70 a week ($108,352 a year) according to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026. The award minimum for a Specialist ophthalmologist is $2,570.93 a week, which is about 23% higher. Even at the minimum, an ophthalmologist’s base pay exceeds the average full‑time worker’s earnings. After tax, the award minimum would leave a take‑home of roughly $1,900 a week (depending on individual circumstances), compared with about $1,540 a week for someone on the national average.

What is the take‑home pay for an ophthalmologist after tax?

Using the 2026‑27 tax rates (nil to $18,200; 15% to $45,000; 30% to $135,000; 37% to $190,000; 45% above) plus the 2% Medicare levy, a Specialist on the award minimum of $133,688 a year would pay about $31,900 in tax and $2,674 in Medicare levy, leaving a take‑home of about $99,114 a year ($1,906 a week). For an ophthalmologist earning a typical private‑practice income (often $300,000–$500,000), the effective tax rate is higher, but net weekly pay would be significantly above the award example.

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